Three Students Awarded Grants to Pursue Educational Goals

The Zonta Club of Oamaru has awarded grants to three high school students to support their educational ambitions. Each student received $500 as part of an initiative aimed at empowering young women ahead of the upcoming International Day of the Girl in October. The recipients were presented with their certificates during a club meeting on August 20, 2023.

Supporting Educational Aspirations

The awarded students are Janelle Casitas from St Kevin’s College, and Lilly Atwill and Gloria Kaur from Waitaki Girls’ High School. During the presentation, the students had the opportunity to share their aspirations with club members. Michelle Harrison, a member of the advocacy committee, expressed enthusiasm for their future plans. She noted, “Each one of the successful recipients said to club members that as well as the monetary assistance of $500, the grant will give them a personal boost to continue more confidently with their chosen paths and lives going forward.”

Janelle plans to study fine arts at the University of Canterbury, Lilly aims to pursue business and marketing at the University of Otago, and Gloria intends to study a bachelor of law and performing arts.

Grant’s Impact and Future Plans

The initiative was launched following a letter sent in mid-2024 to the principals of local secondary schools, inviting participation in the grant program. “We were delighted with the response from applicants,” said Ms. Harrison. After an interview process, the committee selected three students based on their impressive qualifications.

The Zonta Club of Oamaru had previously established a one-off grant in 2017 to assist a secondary school student facing financial hardship while being raised by her grandmother. Ms. Harrison observed that the positive outcomes on the young woman’s life had a profound impact on club members, inspiring them to replicate this successful model for other young women.

Encouraged by the success of this advocacy project, the club plans to make the grant an annual opportunity for young women and is already engaged in fundraising efforts for the 2026 grants. This commitment underscores the club’s dedication to fostering educational opportunities and empowering the next generation of female leaders.