The Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley handed out nearly $21,000 in grants and scholarships Wednesday during the second annual Zonta Awards.

“It is really wonderful to see everyone here to celebrate with us the kind of change and contribution we can make to our community,” said SCV Zonta Club President Karen Maleck-Whiteley.

Young Women Scholarships

Three winners were announced for the Young Women in Public Affairs Scholarships: Christian Spates, Noelle Min and Isabelle Guerrero.

The scholarships recognize young women, ages 16-19, who demonstrate superior leadership skills and a commitment to public service and civic causes.

Zontian Pat Willett chaired the overall event. The Young Women scholarship panel was co-chaired by Gloria Mercado-Fortine and Mary Ann Dortch.

“It is an honor to (serve) on this committee,” said Mercado-Fortine. “We are excited about the young women in our community. It was a very difficult decision this year.”

Young Women in Public Affairs co-chairs Mary Ann Dortch, left, and Gloria Mercado-Fortine, right, present checks to this year’s winners of the Zonta International scholarship. Christian Spates (second from left) received $1,000 as the top winner and will represent the SCV club in District 9 competition. Runners up Isabelle Guerrero and Noelle Min received $500 scholarships. Photos: Michele E. Buttelman.

Spates, a West Ranch High School senior, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship. She is in the process of a personal goal to raise $10,000 to donate to the national coalition against domestic violence. Spates is a survivor of domestic violence who hopes to help others find their voice and be inspired to stand up for themselves.

She plans to major in both music and business in college, with emphasis on entrepreneurship. She wants to open her own line of talent agencies in inner cities. In addition, she plans to develop a nonprofit organization geared toward rebuilding the lives of domestic violence survivors.

Dortch became tearful as she read the students’ accomplishments.

“I don’t know why this makes me cry,” she said.

Min, a senior at Academy of the Canyons, and Guerrero, a senior at Golden Valley High School, received $500 scholarships.

Min’s dream is to work as a doctor through an organization such as Doctors Without Borders and to help third-world countries develop healthcare systems that advance existing natural medicine.

Guerrero is an executive officer in her school’s student government and plans to study humanities and social sciences in college. She has been in charge of various philanthropic events at Golden Valley High, including Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities and efforts to create a safer and more inclusive campus with awareness of current issues facing the LGBT-plus community.

In addition to their checks, each award winner throughout the evening was presented with a yellow Zonta rose of friendship.

Cheryl Wasserman, left, and Phyllis Walker, right, co-chairs of Zonta’s Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Committee, present the club’s $2,000 scholarship check to Mariana Gaviria, center.

Women in Business Scholarship

The Jane M. Klausman Woman in Business Scholarship was awarded to Mariana Gaviria. She was presented with a check for $2,000.

The scholarship was created to encourage more women to pursue education and careers in business. Phyllis Walker and Cheryl Wasserman served as the committee co-chairs.

Originally from Bogota, Colombia, Gaviria is a senior at Woodbury University, where she is working toward a bachelor’s degree in business management.

Virginia Wrage Scholarship

Four women, Andrea M., Kerri S., Tanya H. and Gigi M., received Virginia Wrage Fund scholarships totaling $9,000.

Left to right, Virginia Wrage Memorial Committee co-chairs Ronnie Erickson and Jaci Hoffman congratulate this year’s grant winners Andrea, Kerri, Tanya and Gigi. Randy Wrage, son of Virginia Wrage, the late Zontian for whom the scholarship program is named, is at right.

The scholarship is named for the late Virginia Wrage, a dedicated and loved Zontian, mother and grandmother who, at age 50, faced a family crisis that resulted in a major career change. Wrage was able to fulfill a childhood dream of becoming a flight attendant for American Airlines. Two years later, she was diagnosed with cancer. Before her death, she helped set up a fund that would assist other mature women through challenges such as those she faced. Since its inception in 1995, the Virginia Wrage Memorial Fund has aided more than 35 women with awards ranging from $500 to $2,000.

Some of the women awarded scholarships are single mothers who have endured domestic violence or death of a spouse. Winners are identified by first names and last initial for privacy reasons.

Jaci Hoffman and Ronnie Erickson served as committee co-chairs.

Wrage’s son, Randy Wrage, noted that his mother died 21 years ago and said, “It is awesome that you won’t let it go.”

“Every year I come and stand up here and I cry a little bit. It is cathartic,” he said. “But it is really something. It is huge honor for my family, it is a huge honor for my mother’s name, and I really appreciate it.”

Community Grants

The Zonta Club of SCV Community Grants were awarded to Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers, Inc., Single Mothers Outreach, American Association of University Women and Carousel Ranch.

Judy Penman and Suzanne Alziebler served as committee co-chairs.

“This community grant program is for nonprofits in our community who are doing a project or program to benefit women and young girls,” said Penman. “It was very difficult this year, we had many, many applicants from nonprofits.”

Zonta’s Community Grants Committee awarded a total of $7,854 to the four community organizations.

The Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers Inc. will use its grant to support its program of support for low-income women, to provide mental health counseling in order the improve their overall health and well-being.

CEO Philip Solomon accepted the grant on behalf of the Samuel Dixon centers.

“I’ve worked for nonprofit agencies since 1990,” Soloman said, “but I still get choked up, hearing all of the inspirational stories I’ve heard tonight.”

DaAnne Smith, executive director of Single Mothers Outreach, said the Zonta grant will support a Smart Money Smart Kids program, a six-week video series based on the New York Times best-selling book, “Smart Money Smart Kids.” The video helps parents teach their children how to manage money effectively, starting with the basics like working, spending, savings and giving.

Tech Trek Branch Coordinator Diane Bartley of the American Association of University Women accepted her organization’s Zonta grant. The local branch hopes to send 18 local girls to its Tech Trek camp this year, and Zonta’s funding would pay for two scholarships. The Tech Trek program takes entering eighth grade girls into a college setting, where they take part in hands-on activities that promote an interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields. Several of the local campers were selected because they participate in Zonta’s girls’ robotics program at the SCV Boys and Girls Club.

Denise Tomey-Redmond, executive director of Carousel Ranch, said her organization will use its community grant to fund two and a half scholarships for young women to participate in Carousel Ranch’s Ready to Work job readiness and training program for young adults aged 18 to 26.

All four organizations will be asked to report back to Zonta next spring on the effectiveness of their grant-supported programs.

Also acknowledged at the awards event were Jill Bondy, previously awarded the Zonta Club’s Carmen Sarro Award for Community Service, and Lois Bauccio, recently named the 2016 SCV Woman of the Year. Bauccio was nominated for Woman of the Year by the Zonta Club; she was among 18 SCV women involved with various SCV charities.

The Zonta Club of SCV displayed many of the awards and recognitions it has received throughout the years. The Zonta Club of SCV was founded in 1974 and has more than 70 members.

About Zonta

Zonta International is a service organization with 30,000 members in 67 countries working together to improve the lives of women and girls.

“Zonta’s mission is where we envision a world where women’s rights are human rights, and every woman can achieve her full potential,” said the local club president, Karen Maleck-Whiteley. “In such a world, women have access to all resources and are represented in decision-making positions on an equal basis with men, and no woman lives in fear of violence.”

The SCV Zonta Club was founded in 1974 and has more than 70 members.

“We have had an amazing number of fabulous women as members, and we are known for our volunteerism, our fundraising and our service projects,” Maleck-Whiteley said.

She said the focus of the SCV Zonta Club is to fund projects that support women and girls.

“Beyond that, we are friends, colleagues and community members who make a difference in each other’s lives, as well as this special community we get to live in,” she said. “It’s a really special club.”

For information about the Zonta Club of SCV visit scvzonta.org.