Awards & Scholarships

If you should have questions about any of the scholarships offered below, please contact us:

* here
* presidentsanduskyzonta@gmail.com
* Zonta Club of Greater Sandusky, P.O. Box 1222, Sandusky 44871-1222

Awards & Scholarships available through Zonta Club of Greater Sandusky, Zonta International District 5 and Zonta International:

  1. In coordination with Zonta International and Zonta International District 5, Zonta Club of Greater Sandusky provides an award to Young Women in Public Affairs. Recipient must reside in Erie, Huron or Ottawa County, Ohio, studying at a secondary school, college or university. The recipient of the local club’s award is then submitted to the District for consideration for the District award with the recipient of the District award then submitted for consideration for one of 37 international awards. The award amounts available: Club Award – $250.00; Zonta International Awards – $5,000.00 each. DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2023 | CLOSED
  2. Zonta Club of Greater Sandusky awards up to four college scholarships – $1,000.00 each – each year to Erie, Huron and Ottawa County, Ohio, high school female seniors planning to major in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) education or various fields of medicine who meet high academic standards. DEADLINE: SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2023 | CLOSED
  3. In coordination with Zonta International and Zonta International District 5, Zonta Club of Greater Sandusky will offer the Women in STEM Scholarship. Women of any age, pursuing a program in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) at an accredited university/college/institute, who demonstrate outstanding potential in the field and are living or studying in a Zonta district/region, are eligible. Online students are also eligible to apply if enrolled at an accredited university/college/institute. Students must be enrolled in at least the second year of an undergraduate program through the final year of a master’s program at the time the application is submitted to the local Zonta club. A single candidate from each of Zonta’s 31 districts and one region will receive an award of US$5,000 from Zonta International. DEADLINE: THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2023 | CLOSED
  4. In coordination with Zonta International and Zonta International District 5, Zonta Club of Greater Sandusky provides scholarships for young women going into the business field – The Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship. Because Zonta International believes in gender equality, the Jane M. Klausman (JMK) Women in Business Scholarship program helps women pursue undergraduate and master’s degrees in business management and overcome gender barriers from the classroom to the boardroom. The Zonta Foundation for Women awarded the first Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarships in 1998 to women pursuing degrees in business leading to a business management career. Jane M. Klausman was a member of the Zonta Club of Syracuse, New York, USA, and the 1990-1995 Zonta International Parliamentarian. During her career, Ms. Klausman was a professional secretary, parliamentarian and entrepreneur. The program operates at the Zonta club, district/region and international levels. Zonta International offers 37 international scholarships of US$5,000 each. Zonta International District 5 provides a $2,000 award and Zonta Club of Greater Sandusky provides an award of US$500.00. The club award recipient is eligible for the District 5 award; if awarded the district scholarship, the recipient’s application is then eligible for one of the 37 international scholarships. DEADLINE: MONDAY, JULY 31, 2023 | CLOSED.
  5. Zonta Club of Greater Sandusky awards a non-traditional adult woman returning to an accredited school to improve and/or advance her education towards a better career. The Non-Traditional Scholarship is for any woman who is minimum 23 years of age and resides in Erie, Huron, Ottawa or Sandusky counties in Ohio. DEADLINE: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2023
  6. The Amelia Earhart Fellowship was established in 1938 in honor of famed pilot and Zontian, Amelia Earhart. The US$10,000 Fellowship is awarded annually to up to 30 women pursuing Ph.D./doctoral degrees in aerospace engineering and space sciences. It may be used at any university or college offering accredited post-graduate courses and degrees in these fields. Since the inception of the program in 1938, there have been 1,734 Amelia Earhart Fellowships, totaling more than US$11.6 million, given to 1,305 women from 77 countries. DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2023.


2023 Young Women in Public Affairs (YWPA)

Applications for the 2023 Young Women in Public Affairs Award have closed.

Because Zonta International believes that young women are the key to women’s advancement in the field of public service, it offers the YWPA Award to young women for demonstrating leadership skills and commitment to public service and civic causes, encourages them to continue their participation in public and political life, and to support Zonta’s mission of empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy.

2023 – YWPA – Application
2023 – YWPA – Poster
2023 – YWPA – Background and Statistics
DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2023

2023 Club-level Award Recipient: Evelina Podvoiskis – St. Paul High School

Evelina is the daughter of Lisa and David Podvoiskis of Norwalk. Committed to attending Heidelberg University, Tiffin, Ohio, Evelina will be majoring in Business Administration with her long-term goals of creating a business to conquer hygiene poverty by selling organic, sustainable hygiene products for an affordable price to women globally. Thus, she will play a part in preserving the environment through sustainable living for generations to come. Her leadership roles include being involved with the Mock Trial; student director of the “Footloose” musical; team captain of the Color Guard; elected county commissioner at Girls’ Buckeye State; raised funds for a student community environmental study; participated in Teen Leadership Corps including traveling to Glasgow, Scotland. Evelina has volunteered with the Humane Society, the Senior Center and St. Paul Church.

Congratulations and Good Luck Evelina!

Please visit here to read the news release.


2023 High School Scholarships

Applications for the 2023 High School Scholarships have closed.

To be consistent with Zonta’s goals, the high school scholarships
are awarded to graduating seniors – young women –
who will be
attending a college or university majoring
in a science,
technology, engineering or mathematics field
or in
various fields of medicine.

2023 High School Scholarship – Application
2023 – High School Scholarship – Poster
DEADLINE: SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2023

2023 High School Scholarship Recipients:

Fifteen applications were received from students attending Edison, EHOVE, Huron, Norwalk, Norwalk St. Paul, Perkins and Sandusky High Schools. Zonta Club of Greater Sandusky is pleased to announce the following students as recipients of the club’s 2023 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.

 

Morgan J. Moon, daughter of Melissa and Michael Moon of Berlin Heights, a Senior at Edison High School. Morgan’s honors while attending EHS include September Student of the Month; four-time Student of the Quarter; three-time Firelands Challenge Champions; Service Organization of the Year; Bronze Achievement Level on National Spanish Exam; Council Member Spanish Club; Published Author in the Sandusky Register. Community and high school activities include Vice President Class of 2023; Vice President Key Club; Treasurer National Honor Society; Editor-in-Chief of Yearbook; Co-Captain Firelands Challenge Team; Teen Leadership Corps; Varsity Soccer – twice as Captain, 4-year letter winner; Varsity Track – 3-year letter winner; volunteer soccer coach for Edison Youth Sports; Habitat for Humanity; organized babysitting services during parent-teacher conferences. Morgan plans to attend Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, majoring in Computer Science. Congratulations Morgan!

Erika A. Eakes, daughter of Gina and Richard Eakes of Sandusky, a Senior at Perkins High School. Erika’s honors while attending PHS include Honor Roll; National Technical Honor Society; Career Tech Student of the Nine Weeks-Academics; President’s Education Awards Program-Outstanding Academic Excellence 2022; Cedar Point Cornerstone Award; Cedar Point Crew of the Year-2022; Robotics Team-4 years and Drug-Free Leaders. Community and high school activities include Marching Band-4 years; Concert Band-3years; Pep Band; EHOVE Robotics-4 years; Girl Scouts; Model United Nations; volunteer with Victory Kitchen and Erie County Fair. Erika plans to attend University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, majoring in Mechanical Engineering Technology. Congratulations Erika!

Anisha A. Chopra, daughter of Charu and Atul Chopra of Sandusky, a Senior at Sandusky High School. Anisha’s honors while attending SHS include Superintendent’s Leadership Academy 2020-2023; Principal’s Honor Roll 2019-2023; Student Council President 2019-2023; Rotary Student of the Month October 2022; Associate of Science – BGSU April 2022; College Credit Plus Student of the Year – BGSU May 2022; Ohio Model United Nations – Outstanding Leadership and Outstanding Resolution Awards; Band – Flute, BGSU Honor Band 2019, Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) District 2 Honor Band 2019 and 2020; Tennis Varsity – MVP Award; Sandusky Bay Conference 2nd Team-First Singles, twice Honorable Mention-Second Singles, Honorable Mention-First Doubles; Great Lakes Visual and Performing Arts Academy Above and Beyond Award, University Hospital’s Traveling Art Show, Silver Key and Honorable Mention Scholastic Art and Writing Competition, Director’s Award, Superior Rating District 2 Junior High Solo and Ensemble; Daughters of the American Revolution Youth Citizenship Award; President’s Volunteer Service Award (Gold); Youth for Excellent Service Award – Volunteer Center of Erie County. Community and high school activities include Leader and Unified partner; Sandusky Link Crew mentor; volunteer during Special Olympics Ohio, Kentucky and World Games; Global Youth Leadership Summit during Special Olympics World Games; Special Olympics representative at Capitol Hill Day; Orchestra – First Chair Violin; Competitive Dance; Kathak Dance – Indian Traditional Dance; Ohio Model United Nations; Blood Drive Coordinator; ParkVue Health Care Center; Serving Our Seniors; Leading Lady Streaks; 2nd and 7 Foundation; Erie County Board of Developmental Disabilities; Global Internship Experience – Akron Children’s Hospital. Anisha plans to attend University of Michigan majoring in Psychology/Neuroscience. Congratulations Anisha!

Zoe A. Crow, daughter of Lisa Wilson of Sandusky and Trevor Crow of Scotts, Michigan, a Senior at Sandusky High School. Zoe’s honors while attending SHS include All principal’s Honor Roll; Academic Varsity Letter; AP Scholar with Honor Award; The National Society of Leadership and Success – BGSU Chapter; 30 plus ACT Club; Associates Degree with highest distinction – BGSU; Soccer: Junior and Senior Captain, 4-year Letter Winner, MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Conference and District Honorable Mention, Conference 2nd team, District 1st team, 4-year Scholar Athlete; Basketball: Freshman, JV and Varsity Captain, Varsity Letter Winner, Top Scholar Athlete Award, Michelle Wightman Memorial Award, Scholar Athlete; Track & Field: 4-year Letter Winner, Most Improved, 2x Outstanding Jumper Award, 2x Conference Honors, 2x District Qualifier, 4-year Scholar Athlete; Band: OMEA District 2 Honor Band, BGSU Honor Band, Superior Ranking Solo and National Honor Society President. Zoe’s community and high school activities include Ohio Model United Nations; Superintendent Executive Leadership Academy; Band – Vice President, Section Leader Squad Leader; Soccer – Captain; Basketball – Captain; Track & Field – Jumps Captain; Sandusky Link Crew mentor; Global Internship Experience – Old Woman Creek Intern; National Honor Society President; Red Cross Blood Drive Coordinator. Zoe plans to attend University of Maine, Orono, Maine, majoring in Oceanography/Marine Sciences. Congratulations Zoe!


2023 Zonta International Women in STEM Scholarship

Applications for the 2023 Women in STEM Scholarship have closed.

In 2019 and 2021, Zonta International was pleased to support the Zonta International Women in Technology Scholarships to encourage women to pursue education, career opportunities and leadership roles in information technology. In June 2022, the Zonta International membership voted to continue the program with an expanded focus on all STEM fields, not only technology. With this change, the Zonta International Board approved a name change and will offer the Zonta International Women in STEM Scholarship for the third cycle of the scholarship program.

The program operates at the Zonta club, district/region and international levels. Each Zonta district/region may submit one applicant for consideration for an international scholarship.  A single candidate from each of Zonta’s 31 districts and one region will receive an award of US$5,000 from Zonta International. 

2023 – Women in STEM Scholarship – Poster
2023 – Women in STEM Scholarship – Description
2023 – Women in STEM Scholarship – Application

ELIGIBILITY:

Women of any age, pursuing a program in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) at an accredited university/college/institute, who demonstrate outstanding potential in the field and are living or studying in a Zonta district/region, are eligible. Online students are also eligible to apply if enrolled at an accredited university/college/institute.

Students must be enrolled in at least the second year of an undergraduate program through the final year of a master’s program at the time the application is submitted to the local Zonta club. Applicants must be in school at the time the scholarship funds are disbursed and must not graduate before April 2024. Previous district and international Women in Technology Scholarship recipients may not apply for the Women in STEM Scholarship.

Club members and individuals with direct membership with Zonta International and employees of Zonta International and Zonta Foundation for Women, and their family members (ancestors, descendants, adoptees, siblings, nieces or cousins, and those of their spouse or co-habiting partner), are not eligible to apply for the Scholarship.

Golden Z club members are eligible to apply.


2023 Jane M. Klausman
Women in Business Scholarship

Applications for the 2023 Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship have closed.

2022 Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship – Recipients List
2022 Jane M. Klausman Women in Business | Recipients Bios
2022 Jane M. Klausman Women in Business | Schools – Recipients Attend

Women have made great strides in the pursuit of education, careers and leadership roles they were once denied. However, they still comprise a minority of leaders in the business world. As of December 2022, 32% of S&P 500 companies’ board seats are occupied by women, and just 7.4% of the companies’ CEOs are women.

Because Zonta International believes in gender equality, the Jane M. Klausman (JMK) Women in Business Scholarship program helps women pursue undergraduate and master’s degrees in business management and overcome gender barriers from the classroom to the boardroom. The Zonta Foundation for Women awarded the first Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarships in 1998 to women pursuing degrees in business leading to a business management career. Jane M. Klausman was a member of the Zonta Club of Syracuse, New York, USA, and the 1990-1995 Zonta International Parliamentarian. During her career, Ms. Klausman was a professional secretary, parliamentarian and entrepreneur.   

The Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarships is awarded to undergraduate women entering careers seeking leadership positions in business. The program ultimately seeks to influence business decisions that positively affect women by increasing the number of women in executive positions in the field of business management. Zonta International offers 37 international scholarships of US$5,000 each. Zonta Club of Greater Sandusky provides an award of US$500.00 with the recipient’s application submitted to the District level for consideration to be the District nominee for the international scholarships. Since the program’s inception, Zonta has awarded 713 scholarships, totaling more than US$1.8 million, to 559 women representing 70 countries.

2022 – JMK Background and Statistics
2023 – JMK Women in Business Scholarship – Description
2023 – JMK Women in Business Scholarship – Program Background

 

2023 Non-Traditional Student Scholarship

2023-2024 – Non-Traditional Scholarship – Poster – FINAL
2023-2024 – Non-Traditional Scholarship – Application
2023-2024 – Non-Traditional Verification Current Enrollment – Form
2023-2024 – Non-Traditional Scholarship – Recommendation Letter – Cover Sheet – Submit 2

DEADLINE: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2023

2022 Non-Traditional Student Scholarship Recipient
Jill Guseman – Sandusky
Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing

ELIGIBILITY: The Zonta Club of Greater Sandusky Non-Traditional Student Scholarship is awarded to a
female student from Erie, Huron, Ottawa or Sandusky Counties in Ohio returning to
the classroom after some period of time in which her formal education was interrupted.
The female student must be enrolled in a 2-4 year undergraduate degree program
at a state or federal licensed college/university or vocational school.
Minimum age to apply for scholarship is 23 years.

Jill Guseman is a Senior Student at Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing with an expected graduation date of May 2023. She will be a registered Nurse upon completing the 3-year RN program and passing her NCLEX. Ms. Guseman has returned to school after a long time off, to pursue her passion for Nursing. She states she “Simply cannot wait to be a Nurse!” During her schooling at FRMCSON through BGSU Firelands, she has been honored on the Dean’s List. She is an active member on the Student Welfare Committee and the Student Senate. This year she was the recipient of the Joanne M. Schaffer (McFadden) Scholarship and has also received a number of nominations for star performer at the School of Nursing. She has been active as a volunteer in various community events, with her favorite being helping the Victory Kitchen. Upon completing her formal education, Ms. Guseman plans to work locally as an RN, then pursue her dream of travel Nursing. Congratulations Jill!

 

2024 Amelia Earhart Fellowship

2023 Amelia Earhart Fellows – List
2023 Amelia Earhart Fellows’ Bios | PDF
30 Fellows Country of Citizenship:
Australia, France, Germany, India, Iran, Italy, Spain, Sri Lanka,
United Kingdom, United States and Uruguay

Globally, women make up around 25 percent of the workforce in the aerospace industry. In an effort to carry out its mission that women have access to all resources and are represented in decision-making positions on an equal basis with men, Zonta International offers the Amelia Earhart Fellowship. 

The Amelia Earhart Fellowship was established in 1938 in honor of famed pilot and Zontian, Amelia Earhart. The US$10,000 Fellowship is awarded annually to up to 30 women pursuing Ph.D./doctoral degrees in aerospace engineering and space sciences. It may be used at any university or college offering accredited post-graduate courses and degrees in these fields. 

Since the inception of the program in 1938, there have been 1,734 Amelia Earhart Fellowships, totaling more than US$11.6 million, given to 1,305 women from 77 countries.

Our Fellows have gone on to become astronauts, aerospace engineers, astronomers, professors, geologists, business owners, heads of companies, even Secretary of the US Air Force. The Amelia Earhart Fellowships expands opportunities for women in aerospace engineering and space sciences.

2024 – AE Fellowship – Poster
2024 – AE Fellowship – Application (For Preparation Only)
NOTE: The above application form is for preparation only.
Applicant must submit all materials via
the online application found here.
Hard copy or e-mailed applications will not be accepted.
2024 – AE Fellowship – Stats Program Overview
2024 – AE Fellows – School List
2024 – AE Fellowship – Map

DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2023

ELIGIBILITY

Women of any nationality pursuing a Ph.D./doctoral degree who demonstrate a superior academic record conducting research applied to aerospace engineering or space sciences are eligible. It is imperative that students be registered in a full-time Ph.D./doctoral program and have completed at least one year of that program or have received a master’s degree in an aerospace-applied field at the time the application is submitted. Applicants must not graduate from their Ph.D. or doctoral program before April 2025. Please note that post-doctoral research programs are not eligible for the Fellowship. Club members and individuals with direct membership with Zonta International and employees of Zonta International and Zonta Foundation for Women, and their family members (ancestors, descendants, adoptees, siblings, nieces or cousins, and those of their spouse or co-habiting partner), are not eligible to apply for the Fellowship. Note that previous Amelia Earhart Fellows are not eligible to apply to renew the Fellowship for a second year.

APPLICATION PROCESS

All applications must be completed in English and submitted using the online application form at  https://zontainternational.awardspring.com/. You may use the Amelia Earhart Fellowship document in PDF for preparation purposes only. The Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship Committee reviews the applications and recommends recipients to the Zonta International Board. All applicants are evaluated on the criteria stated in the requirements section of the application. All details of the evaluations are kept confidential; evaluations are not disclosed to applicants. All applicants will be notified of their status by the end of April 2025.

DEADLINE

The 2023 Amelia Earhart Fellowship application is now available – see links above. DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2023

 

Buckeye Girls State

We support a local representative of Buckeye Girls State each year.

Donating Time, Funds and Support

Safe Harbor Domestic Violence Shelter
Stein Hospice Camp Good Grief
Kendra’s House
Heartbeat
Buddy Benches for local schools