The Zonta Club of Santa Clarita recently awarded several women with scholarships due to their work in public affairs.  

Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) awarded $12,000 in scholarships and awards at their annual Awards Ceremony held on Wednesday May 8; three women were presented with Young

Women in Public Affairs (YWPA) Awards and four deserving women received a Virginia Wrage Memorial Scholarship.

The YWPA Award program goal is to encourage young women, ages 16-19, to participate in public affairs by recognizing a commitment to the volunteer sector, evidence of volunteer leadership achievements and dedication to empowering women. 

The honorees below have provided their outstanding community achievements and future goals.

Katherine Brook who is a  senior at West Ranch High School and currently enrolled in a Journalism class at College of the Canyons (COC). 

Brook strives to build a better world for women and girls with the goal of earning a Phd in Sociology, Film and Media Studies.

Caitlyn Park, a senior at Saugus High School, is set to begin her studies at Stanford University with a double major in public policy and international relations and a minor in business. 

She founded a chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) at Saugus High and four other local high schools, plus founded the Pad Project SCV, providing hygiene products for women and girls. She has served as an Intern for the City of Santa Clarita.

Brooke Saavedra, a junior at Golden Valley High, enjoys working with people, volunteering and being a support system to those in need; she has served in many school leadership roles to include President of the Pad Project SCV and would like to become an elementary school teacher. 

The Virginia Wrage Memorial Scholarship Awards are presented to mature women, for vocational educational purposes, to achieve emotional, social, and economic independence following a life-altering event. 

The awards are provided in honor of Virginia Wrage who at the age of 50 had to reenter the workforce and reinvent herself. Four women received awards for assistance to meet their life goals.

Cathy Kang is set to pursue a Registered Nurse license with a specialty in palliative care according to officials. 

Kang has her Certified Nurse Assistant certification, has completed her Associate in Arts degree and is on her way to meet her goal.

Eda Grace Chang, a Licensed Vocational Nurse, is returning to school to become a Registered Nurse with a goal to achieve a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Michel Pilarski, after many struggles in her life and successfully raising her children, her goal is to become a Registered Nurse specializing in Labor and Delivery. 

In addition, Pilarski continues to support her community doing volunteer work to stop human trafficking and to rehabilitate trafficked child survivors.

Weeda Bakkhshee who is from Afghanistan, provided interpreting services for American forces-speaks six languages. She emigrated to the U.S., but suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 

Bakkhshee is pursuing her bachelor’s and master’s degree in psychology and eventually plans to teach at the college level and counsel veterans experiencing PTSD.

For more information on Zonta, click here. 

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