Ten girls at Withrow University High School are now part of Zonta International, a global service organization empowering women through service and advocacy.

 

A formal installation ceremony April 15 at Withrow officially recognized the girls, who began meeting in January and already have been performing community service projects under the guidance of adviser Monique White, the school’s 21st Century after-school coordinator. Zonta District 5 Governor Ellen Spaeth and Zonta Club of Cincinnati President Connie Kingsbury presided over the ceremony.

 

The Withrow Z Club girls are Jada Sims, president; Iyana Jones, vice president; Keyonna Cephas, secretary; Brittani Sanders, treasurer; and members Jalyn Daniel, Quindra Dews, Damek'a Johnson, Kamia McCoy, Asiah Murph and Tenaya Pugh. Cincinnati Public Schools Superintendent Mary Ronan and Withrow Principal Paul Daniels attended the installation ceremony.

 

Tammy Imhoff, chairwoman of the board of trustees of FamiliesFORWARD, which operates the 21st Century After-School Program at Withrow, and Zontian Cathy Bruckert, who was instrumental in bringing Zonta to Withrow, also were in attendance.

 

Zonta Club of Cincinnati chose Withrow as its second high school in Greater Cincinnati with a Z Club. The other is Lakota East High School.

 

The Cincinnati club, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, is part of Zonta International. Zonta International was founded in 1919 and has more than 30,000 professionals in 67 countries working to improve the lives of girls and women. Z Clubs help high school students explore careers, develop leadership skills and participate in school, community and international service projects.