Zonta Club Awards $1,000 Scholarships to Seven Women

Seven women with big dreams just got a financial boost to make them happen.

The Zonta Club of Jamestown awarded $1,000 scholarships to seven women pursuing careers in healthcare, economics, and science. The awards were presented during the club's May meeting, recognizing students and professionals committed to advancing their education.

Hannah Gullo received the Mary Lou Costanzo Scholarship as she works toward becoming a nurse anesthetist at Columbia University. She graduated summa cum laude from Case Western Reserve University in 2022 with her nursing degree and is now in a demanding three-year graduate program.

Heather Phillips earned the Anne H. Crowe Scholarship while pursuing her nurse practitioner certification. She already works as a registered nurse and recently completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Katrina Schrantz, a 2025 Falconer High School graduate, received the Mary Bargar Scholarship after completing her first year studying animal science at Cornell University. Melissa Thies also received an Anne H. Crowe Scholarship while pursuing community and human services with a healthcare management minor, building on her 25 years of service at Heritage Ministries.

Three additional scholarship winners couldn't attend but were honored for their achievements. Sara Godfrey received the Verna Nelson Scholarship and now works as an economist in New York City after earning her master's degree from Columbia University in International Economic Policy and Middle Eastern Studies.

Onnalee Nellis won the Young Women in Leadership Award and currently attends the University at Buffalo. Janie Swanson received the Verna Nelson Scholarship while finishing her fourth and final year of medical school at SUNY Upstate Medical University.

The Ripple Effect

These scholarships represent more than financial aid. They're investments in communities that will benefit from skilled nurse practitioners, thoughtful economists, and compassionate doctors for decades to come.

Each recipient brings years of dedication to her field, from Phillips' nursing experience to Thies' quarter-century of community service. The scholarships acknowledge both academic achievement and commitment to serving others.

The Zonta Club has been supporting women's education and professional advancement for years, creating pathways for women who might otherwise struggle with the rising costs of higher education. Their annual awards help close the gap between ambition and opportunity.

Seven women are now one step closer to changing lives in their communities.