WINNING WOMEN PROMISING STUDENTS HONORED.

Byline: Daily News

Five Santa Clarita students recently were awarded a total of $4,500 in college scholarships by the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley.

Four of the recipients were selected from 23 applicants and received $1,000 each, and one applicant was selected for the Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship and received $500. The four $1,000 scholarship winners were Pamela Rivera, Kimberly Benno, Sachini Bandara and Yeva Ragauskayte.

Rivera, a College of the Canyons graduate, plans to attend California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and major in biology. Her goal is to become a veterinarian and practice in the Santa Clarita Valley. Rivera came to the United States from Chile 10 years ago with her family.

Benno, a graduate of College of the Canyons with an associate in arts degree in general arts and science, is pursuing a second associate degree, in nursing. She plans to work as a nurse while pursuing her bachelor's degree in nursing at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Bandara, a Hart High School graduate, hopes to become a pediatrician. Her interest in scientific studies was stirred when she worked as a part- time lab assistant at California Institute of Technology's Division of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering. She is also interested in courses relating to government and politics to help in her future medical practice.

Ragauskayte is a graduate of Valencia High School and plans to attend the University of California, Los Angeles, to study medicine and become a doctor. She volunteers long hours at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital and interns with a neuro-radiologist at UCLA Medical Center. She hopes to someday open a clinic in a country in need of doctors. Ragauskayte was born in Lithuania and speaks Spanish, French and Russian.

Vincent is a junior majoring in finance at California State University, Northridge. She works full time as a financial analyst and plans to pursue a master's degree in business administration after she graduates from CSUN. Vincent will also be considered for progressive scholarships of $400 at the district level and $4,000 at the international level.

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2 photos

Photo:

(1) From left, Sachini Nimalka, Kimberly Benno and Pamela Rivera received Zonta scholarships. Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley is part of a global organization pledged to advance the status of women worldwide.

(2) Keanna Vincent, left, won the Jane M. Klausman Women in Business scholarship.