If you should have questions about any of the scholarships offered below, please contact:
* eileen.borchardt@gmail.com
* joditaylor1016@gmail.com
Awards & Scholarships available through Zonta Club of Greater Sandusky, Zonta International District 5 and Zonta International.
2027 Zonta Women in Business Leadership Award
The Zonta Women in Business Leadership Award celebrates excellence and recognizes outstanding achievements by women between 18-35 years of age who are driving innovation and creating an impact in the business world. This prestigious award honors exceptional leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, ethical conduct and significant contributions while addressing global or local issues affecting women and girls or climate justice.
The programs operates at the Zonta club, district and international levels. Zonta International offers 10 international awards of US $5,000 each and a complimentary one-year supporting membership in Zonta International for the next financial year.
For information on the award, deadlines, and elegibility, contact Jodi Taylor via email at joditaylor1016@gmail.com
2027 Zonta Women in STEM Award
The Zonta Women in STEM Award uplifts innovation and celebrates the remarkable accomplishments of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields of study. The award recognizes eligible women from their second year of undergraduate study through their final year of graduate study for groundbreaking research, pioneering discoveries and/or exemplary contributions to advancing knowledge and innovation in STEM.
By recognizing and supporting these exceptional women, Zonta aims to inspire future generations, encourage women to pursue leadership in STEM and foster greater inclusivity and diversity in STEM fields.
The programs operates at the Zonta club, district and international levels. Zonta International offers 16 international awards of US $5,000 each and a complimentary one-year supporting membership in Zonta International for the next financial year.
For information on the award, deadlines, and elegibility, contact Jodi Taylor via email at joditaylor1016@gmail.com
Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award
The Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award recognizes young women, ages 16-19, for demonstrating leadership skills and commitment to public service and civic causes and encourages them to continue their participation in public and political life.
Since 1990, Zonta has given 1,202 awards, totaling US $2,043,750, to 1,030 young women from 64 countries.
The program operates at the Zonta club, district and international levels. Zonta International offers 37 international awards of US $5,000. Each district may submit one applicant for consideration for an international scholarship. The five largest districts may submit a second applicant for a total of two applicants.
For information on the award, deadlines, and elegibility, contact Jodi Taylor via email at joditaylor1016@gmail.com
Past Scholarship Recipients
2025 Club-level Award Recipient:
Miss Katelynne Grace Bergman, daughter of Lindsay and Daniel Bergman, a Senior at Danbury High School, is the recipient of the 2025 Zonta Club of Greater Sandusky club-level Young Women in Leadership Award. The goal of the Young Women in Leadership Award program is to encourage more young women to pursue leadership roles in society that will make a difference in the lives of girls and women worldwide by recognizing the student’s commitment to the volunteer sector, evidence of volunteer leadership achievements and a dedication to empowering women and girls worldwide through service and advocacy.
Katelynne has committed to attending Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, majoring in secondary education with her career interest in becoming a language arts or government high school teacher. Her achievements and leadership roles include the Superintendent’s Advisory Board, Key Club, Student Council, National Honor Society and was vice president for three years and secretary for two years for her 4-H Club. Katelynne’s volunteer experiences include 4-H for ten years; cleanup, planting and maintenance of flower beds and annual livestock barn setup and cleanup at Sandusky County Fairgrounds; assist younger 4-H members prepare their animals and projects for show; donations each November to area food banks of turkeys and fresh produce the Bergman Family raises.
This award is presented to a young woman living in Erie, Huron or Ottawa Counties. As the recipient of the Club Young Women in Leadership Award of $250.00 and a recognition certificate, Katelynne is eligible for the Zonta District 5 Young Women in Leadership Award of $1,500.00. The District 5 award recipient then will be eligible for one of thirty-seven Zonta International Young Women in Leadership Awards of $5,000.00 each. Established in 1990, Zonta International has provided Zonta has given 1,128 awards, totaling US$1,673,750 to 956 young women from 61 countries.
Congratulations Katelynne!
2024 High School Scholarship Recipients:
Eighteen applications were received from students attending Margaretta, Norwalk, Oak Harbor, Perkins, Port Clinton, St. Mary’s Central Catholic, St. Paul, Sandusky and Vermilion High Schools. Zonta Club of Greater Sandusky is pleased to announce the following students as recipients of the club’s 2024 High School Scholarships in the amount of $1,000.00 each. The monetary award along with a Certificate of Recognition will be presented to the recipients during Zonta’s Award & Scholarships and Spring Banquet in May.
Miss Nora B. Bodie, daughter of Michelle and David Bodie of Port Clinton, a Senior at Port Clinton High School. Nora’s honors while attending
PCHS include Redskin Award 2022 & 2023; Volleyball Season Serving % School Record 2021 & 2022; Volleyball Season Attacking % School Record 2022 & 2023; Volleyball Career Serving % School Record (2023); Volleyball Career Attacking % 2023; Principal’s List 2023-2024; Sandusky Bay Conference All Academic Student Recognition 2020-2024; OASL All Ohio Student Leader 2023; American Legion Department of Ohio Americanism Certificate; 2022 HOBY Delegate Recognition; Leadership Council; Future Professionals in Medicine; International Club; Varsity Swimming & Volleyball; District Leadership Team; Envirothon; Student Representative to the Board of Education; National Honor Society. Nora plans to attend University of Michigan majoring in Biology – pre-medicine. Congratulations Nora!
Miss Megan E. Evans, daughter of Jamie and Stephen Evans of Sandusky, a Senior at St. Mary Central Catholic High 
School. Megan’s honors while attending SMCCHS include 3-time Barbara A. McCafferty M.D. Math and Science Award; Beverly Vaith Scholarship; Eucharistic Revival Essay Contest place winner; Rotary Student of the Month; American Legion Americanism Test top scorer; academic letter; Buckeye Girls State; Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership; Providence Care Center volunteer; National Honor Society; Team Leadership Corps; Key Club; School Musical; Swim and Tennis Teams; Lead Like A Panther; NASA Glenn Research Center High School Shadowing program; IMPCT Leadership Mentor. Megan plans to attend Bowling Green State University – Honors Program, majoring in Computer Science/Information Systems. Congratulations Megan!
Miss Avviana Isabella Geiger Pickle, daughter of Cynthia Geiger of Sandusky, a Senior at Margaretta High School. Avviana’s honors while attending MHS include Honor Roll 2020-2024; 2-time academic letter; 2 time varsity letter for
golf; most improved award in JV softball; 1st place 4-County Art show twice; best score on the American Legion Government Test; Improved Leader Award for impact leadership; 1st place at Erie County Fair and Outstanding at Ohio State Fair in 4H; Outstanding student in Art I and Art IV; 2-time SBC All-Academic for golf; Golf and Tennis Teams; SADD; Volunteer at Flat Rock Homes, Project Share and Faben’s Park Baseball Tournaments; National Honor Society; Student Government; Varsity M Club; Prom Committee; Leadership Class; and Chick-fil-a Leader Academy. Avviana plans to attend The Ohio State University, majoring in Political Science. Congratulations Avviana!
Miss Abigail G. Schoder, daughter of Christina and Matthew Schoder of Sandusky, a Senior at Sandusky High School. 
Abigail’s honors while attending SHS include National Hispanic Scholar 2023; Buckeye Student Leadership Academy at The Ohio State University 2023 Cohort Member; Youth Group Student Leader 2022-Present; Youth Group Worship Team Leader 2023; Church Media Team 2022-Present; Varsity Tennis 2020-2021-2023; Co-Captain 2023; SBC 2nd Singles Honorable Mention Girls Varsity Tennis 2023; Sandusky Rotary Club October Student of the Month 2023); Owner of Baking Business – The Happy Baking Company; Owner of blog – Chronically Abs 2023-Present; Ohio Model United Nations 2016 thru 2023; Great Lakes Visual and Performing Arts Academy at SHS 2020-present; Unified Student of SHS; Advanced Competition Team dancer at Karshas All That Jazz Dance Academy; A Capella Choir Secretary 2022-2023 and Choir Social Chair 2023-2024; Keynotes and Bell Choir 2022-2023; Gospel choir 2020-2022. Abigail plans to attend The Ohio State University, majoring in Secondary Education Integrated Social Studies. Congratulations to Abigail!
2022-2023 Non-Traditional Student Scholarship Recipient
The Zonta Club of Greater Sandusky is pleased to announce Ms. Sela Berry, a 3rd-year student at Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing, Sandusky, Ohio, as the recipient for the 2022-2023 Zonta Club of Greater Sandusky Non-Traditional Scholarship in the amount of $2,000.00. Ms. Berry lives in Norwalk.
Ms. Berry has an expected graduation date of May 2024. She will be a Registered Nurse upon completing the 3-year RN program and passing her NCLEX. Ms. Berry has returned to school to pursue her passion for Nursing. She looks forward to the challenges and “opportunities to change lives every day.” During her schooling at FRMCSON through BGSU Firelands, she has been honored on the Dean’s List. She has been active as a volunteer in various community events including Holly Run, at Firelands and Mercy Health-Lorain Hospital and currently works at Chef’s Garden, Huron. Upon completing her formal education, Ms. Berry plans to work locally as an RN, pursuing her dream to lead nursing teams and to possibly lead an organization as a nurse leader.