Niwot High School junior Katherine Cui winner of Zonta Foothills Club's 2024 Young Women in Public Affairs Award

Niwot High School junior Katherine Cui is passionate about "looking for leadership in everyone" and the www.zontafoothills.org/" target="_blank">Zonta Foothills Club of Boulder County saw just those leadership qualities in

Cui, recently recognizing her with their 2024 Young Women in Public Affairs Award.

"I think that the Young Women in Public Affairs scholarship is truly inspiring because of its recognition of women's contributions to their community," Cui said.

Each year, The Zonta Foothills Club of Boulder County recognizes a young woman, ages 16-19, with the YWPA Award for her leadership skills, a commitment to public service and civic causes, and desire to continue participation in public and political life.

Zonta EducateZ Scholarship Committee Chair Nancy Rowe said, "Our entire selection committee was so impressed with the caliber of applicants this year." To be considered they were asked to reflect on their lives, their commitment to the communities in which they live, and the role models that have inspired them to become involved in their community or in a specific prospective career.

Cui will receive a $2,000 scholarship from the Zonta Foothills Foundation and she is now eligible for awards at the Zonta District and International levels where she can win an additional $5,000.

Cui is the founder of Niwot High School's first Asian Student Association and President of Longmont's Youth Council. She has led numerous projects to combat the problems facing the youth in our community, including the Million Dollar Youth Grant program which distributed almost one million dollars to youth organizations in the community.

After high school, she plans to study international economics or finance. City of Longmont Community Coordinator Jennifer Diaz-Leon said that Cui is "consistently looking for ways to make members feel valued, creating a sense of belonging... It has been amazing watching her develop as a leader."

Silver Creek High School senior Leigh Baker is this year's second-place YWPA winner and will receive a $1,000 scholarship award. Baker is an advocate for women's empowerment, collaborates with women in political and business leadership, produces promotional videos for women-owned businesses, and volunteers with organizations such as "A Woman's Work."

The Zonta Foothills Club of Boulder County is an all-volunteer organization that has supported women and girls in Boulder County since 1982. "The Zonta Foothills Club of Boulder County and our Zonta Foothills Foundation, offer programs and scholarships that are changing the lives of women in our community and around the world," explained Club President Pam Malzbender.

"We are especially proud to recognize Katherine and Leigh as young leaders who are building a better world for women and girls."

Best known for their Zonta EducateZ project, which supports under-resourced women and girls with scholarships, Zonta supports organizations such as the Our Center, Community Food Share, Moving to End Sexual Assault (MESA), Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA), Community Food Share, Sister Carmen, and others through service, advocacy, scholarships, and other support.

Since 2014 The Zonta Foothills Foundation has awarded more than $125,000 to women in Boulder County, and provided more than 60,000 books to Boulder families through free libraries. Club members also mentor high school and college-aged women through their Z Club programs.

The Zonta Foothills Foundation carries out the charitable purposes of The Zonta

Foothills Club of Boulder County which is part of Zonta Internat ional. For more information visit

http://www.zontafoothills.org.