Zonta Club of Hilo awards $20,000 in scholarships to island women

Zonta Club of Hilo put $20,000 into the education pipeline for women across Hawaii Island this year, dividing the money among scholarships for nursing, leadership and other professional training. The largest share, $9,000, went to women pursuing nursing degrees at two Big Island campuses, a sign the club is backing a field that can feed local hospitals, clinics and long-term care jobs.

The Barbra An Pleadwell Scholarships, worth $5,000, went to Fiona Eddy and Naneaikealaula Thomas. The Women’s Nursing Degree Scholarships totaled $9,000 and were awarded to University of Hawaii at Hilo students Luche Ganot and Shyla Williams, along with Hawaii Community College students Leilihaupuaikawai Jung, Gabriella Ramos and Kaylee Stingel. For those recipients, the money can ease tuition and training costs tied to entering a profession where the island continues to need workers.

Three Young Woman in Leadership Awards, totaling $6,000, went to Princess Kaitlyn Mangoba, Zoe Russo and Teija Wada. Russo advanced beyond the club level and was considered for district and international recognition, showing that the program is not only paying for school but also identifying young women who may shape civic and nonprofit leadership later on.

Laurie Higashi, president of the Hilo chapter, said the club was chartered in 1950 and has been active on Hawaii Island for 76 years. That long run matters because it shows the scholarships are part of a sustained local pipeline, not a one-time donation. By directing funds to women at UH Hilo and Hawaii Community College, Zonta tied its giving to institutions that train students close to home, at a time when island families still face the high cost of education and the pressure to leave for opportunity.