Advancing the Status of Women Worldwide
P.O. Box 415, Findlay Oh 45839
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
June 2, 2014
The Zonta Club of Findlay has awarded seven $1,000 scholarships and two $500 Zonta International
Scholarships at the Club level to Findlay and Hancock County women.
The criteria for selections for the 50th annual scholarship awards was based on academic and merit
achievement, school activities, community service, demonstrated leadership , clearly formulated career
goals and financial need. All seven recipients personify Zonta's mission of improving the status of
women as they plan to use their education to improve the lives of others both domestically and
internationally.
Funding for all Zonta's scholarships and service projects is derived from its spring geranium sale.
Recipients are:
Rebecca Sharrer, daughter of Barbara and Fred Sharrer, is a senior at Liberty-Benton High School. The
Zonta Scholarship she received , the Elizabeth M. Kobezska Z Club Scholarship, was earmarked for a
Liberty-Benton student who most portrayed the qualities of the Z Club founder, Elizabeth Kobezska.
She is the president of the LBHS Z-Club, the president of her school’s Student Council, a member of the
National Honor Society, Girls’ Varsity Soccer Team, as well as a member of the school’s pep, jazz,
marching and concert bands. Rebecca is also a STRIDES leader and volunteers for Habitat for Humanity.
Rebecca plans to attend The Ohio State University in the fall to study Biomedical Sciences.
Rebecca was also the recipient of the Zonta International YOUNG WOMEN IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS AWARD.
This is a $500 award is given first by the local Zonta Club of Findlay, and passed on for competition at the
District for $1,000 and then International level for $4,000. The criteria for this award is active
commitment to volunteerism, experience in local or student governments, volunteer leadership
achievements, knowledge of Zonta International and its programs, and advocating Zonta International's
mission of advancing the status of women worldwide.
Jana Fish, daughter of Jeff and Jenny Fish, is a senior at Liberty-Benton High School. She is an active
member of Z-Club, National Honor Society, Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Girls’
Varsity Soccer. Jana is also a Candy Striper at Blanchard Valley Health Center and a member of her
church youth group. She plans to attend Bowling Green State University in the fall to study Tourism,
Leisure, and Event Planning.
Madison Endicott is a student at Van Buren High School. When she is not busy writing and editing
articles, as she is one of three editors for her school’s newspaper, she enjoys participating in the three
varsity sports, she plays: soccer, basketball, and track. In addition to taking stats for the boys’ basketball
team, she love to read, exercise, and go on adventures with friends. Madison plans to attend Ashland
University to major in Exercise Science and be an active member of the honors program.
Rebecca Kirian, daughter of Dean & Jane Kirian, is a senior at Arcadia High School where she was
actively involved in varsity basketball, volleyball and track along with National Honor Society, 4-H, and
her church’s youth group. In her free time Rebecca likes to hang out with her friends and family, play
piano, and paint. After graduation she looks forward to majoring in Dietetics at the University of
Cincinnati.
Beth Palmer from Arlington will be attending the University of Cincinnati this fall to major in biomedical
engineering. In high school she was a member of Children of the Light choir, All-County Honors Choir,
and track. She also is President of Science National Honor Society, Treasurer of National Honor Society,
and a member of French Honor Society. She also volunteers at the Good Samaritan Nursing home and
also helped to start and coach an elementary school running club called “Run Like a Girl.” Beth had the
opportunity to go on four mission trips so far, three with Children of the Light and one to the ELCA
National Youth Gathering in New Orleans. She also hopes to continue to go on missions trips in college
and to help people with her career by improving medical equipment and devices.
Michelle Flanagan, a senior at Van Buren High School and will be attending the University of Cincinnati
this fall, majoring in journalism. Throughout high school she has been involved in marching band, show
choir, track, cross country, National Honors Society and Junior Statesmen of America. She is excited to
get involved in new opportunities and travel while in college, and appreciates the never-ending support
of her friends and family. She would also like to thank the Zonta Club for providing her with this
opportunity, and looks forward to being a women's rights advocate throughout her life.
Mikayla Brown an aspiring Junior at Hillsdale College, is a History major with a minor in music
education. After her undergraduate study, Mikayla plans on attending the College of William and Mary
to complete law school. Mikayla stays busy as an active member of the classics honorary, Eta Sigma Phi,
College Republicans, Resident Assistant, local preschool and charter school teaching assistant, General
Manager of Saga, Inc., and continuing her work as a professional harpist.
Karen Wise is the 2014 recipient of the Club level of $500 Zonta International JANE M. KLAUSMAN
WOMEN IN BUSINESS SCHOLARSHIP. This scholarship was established in 1998 to women in their
second year of an undergraduate program in Business, leading to a business management career. The
JMK looks for women of today to be the leaders of tomorrow. Karen is the 20 year old daughter of Tom
& Carol Wise of Findlay, Ohio. She will be a junior at Bluffton University majoring in Business
Administration with a dual major in Early Childhood Education. At Bluffton, Karen has been on the
Bluffton University Dean’s List and is a 2 year member of the Bluffton University Lady Beavers Basketball
team. Karen was recently named to the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Academic AllConference Team this past season. She was a 2012 honors graduate of Riverdale High School where she
was a standout athlete in 3 sports; volleyball, basketball, and track. Being from a family farm, Karen was
a 10 year 4-H member and showed multiple champion Hampshire sheep at the local, and state level
during her 4-H career. Pursuing a degree in Business and keeping a close involvement with young
children is her passion. It is a goal in which she hopes she can someday combine the two degrees in
some way by owning her own early childhood development center.
PICTURES PROVIDED IF YOU CAN USE THEM
R Sharrer
Beth Palmer
Jana Fish
Madison Endicott
Michelle Flanagan Mikayla Brown
Rebecca Kirian
Karen Wise