Young Women in Public Affairs

YWPA

The goal of the Zonta International Young Women in Leadership Award Program is to encourage young women to participate in public affairs by recognizing a commitment to the volunteer sector, evidence of volunteer leadership achievements and a dedication to empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy.

In order for more women to be represented in key decision making positions worldwide, we must encourage young women to pursue careers or seek leadership positions in public policy-making, government and volunteer organizations and further their education with these aims in view.

Public affairs refers to all aspects of community life where decisions have to be made about issues which relate to and affect those communities in which people work and live.

For more information contact zontabotanybay@hotmail.com and attention to YWLA

This annual award runs from approximately May to September each year. In 2024 the club continued its 30-year support of this Zonta International Award, recognising the leadership achievements of young women in St George and Sutherland Shire secondary schools.

NEWSFLASH - Young Women in Public Affairs Award name change.

At the 2024 International Convention held in Brisbane, it was agreed that from 2025 this Award will be known as the Young Women in Leadership Award.

2024 Awards

The Winner, Runner-up and Finalists for 2024 were:

Michaela Loukas Marist College Penshurst

Felicia Dimitriadis Endeavour Sports High School – Runner up

Grace Sutherland Woolooware High School - Highly Commended

Kayla-Maree Grigoriou Beverley Hills Girls High School - Highly Commended

Keira Bauer Woolooware High School - Highly Commended

Angelina Cikusa Danebank Anglican School -Finalist

Tahlia Catts Menai High School - Finalist

Michaela volunteers with programs assisting senior citizens with technology, supporting children’s mental health and encouraging girls into STEM careers.

She advocates for mental health programs to support young women

Michaela has been invited to become 2025 mentor at Melbourne Uni after winning UNSW National Computer Science School prize. She has chosen to undertake work experience on cancer and mental health research programs at Queensland Institute of Medical Research.

She aspires to a career combining medicine and innovative medical technologies

Michaela Loukas

2023 Awards

The Winner, Runner-up and Finalists for 2024 were:

Clare McGuire The Jannali High School - Winner

Lillian Kassira Kogarah High School – Runner up

Mia Chalak St. George Girls High School - Finalist

Ranya Mousselamani Kogarah High School - Finalist

Le-Anna Nguyen Beverley Hills GirlsHigh School - Finalist

Thao Thi Vu Beverley Hills Girls High School - Finalist

Clare is School Captain. She facilitated a new program for Junior SRC members to improve leadership skills and co-ordinated a leadership conference for student at local primary school level . Clare is involved with community organizations including DEBRA Australia an NFP supporting those living with a rare skin blistering disease (EB). She was actively involved with the 2023 ANZAC Day ceremonies at Woronora.

Clare is to pursue a double degree in Business and Bachelor of Public Policy.

Clare McGuire

2022 Awards

Our Judging panel was, once again, very impressed with the calibre of all the young ladies who submitted applications, making the selection process difficult. The final decision saw the following outcome:

Darcy Blades Caringbah High School - Winner

Sara Waser Woolooware High School – Runner up

Gemma Kannan St. Ursulas College, Kingsgrove - Highly Commended

Zhina Nikibin Woolooware High School - Finalist

Ola Gafour Beverley Hills High School - Finalist

Darcy is Caringbah High School school captain, SRC senior media officer, CHS contact person for World Vision Sponsor Child, a passionate advocate for justice, fairness and equality for all people and aspires to build accessible female empowerment and leadership programs.

Her aim is to complete a double degree - Bachelor of Science (Medicl) and Bachelor of Law.

Darcy Blades

2021 Awards

Our 27th year of YWPA was another year of amazing young ladies, more so for the fact they have optimistically embraced their senior high school years under conditions never experienced by predecessors. Congratulations to ALL applicants however, after yet another difficult selection process by the Committee, following are the six finalists –

Paris Alcorn The Jannali High School – Winner

Lara Proctor Engadine High School – Runner up

Ashleigh Dean Lucas Heights Community School – Highly Commended

Madeleine Guevarro Beverly Hills Girs High - Finalist

Roaa Ahmed Beverly Hills Girls High - Finalist

Sofia De Bells St. Ursula’s College – Finalist

Paris is school captain at Jannali High; she talked about her challenges this year and acknowledged the need to be kind to herself and being positive during testing times. She spoke about realizing the importance of routine, particularly since she is a very social person, who loved her school community as well as being heavily involved in soccer and other outdoor activities prior to lockdown. Her future plans are focussed on a few options, i.e becoming a paramedic, further studies towards medical paediatrics, or teaching PE at primary or high school level. Paris’ application will now be submitted to District 24 for consideration at District level.

The Club extends our thanks to all schools for encouraging their students to participate in this award. Thanks also to our selection committee.