Local high school graduate receives ZONTA International Club scholarship
by Anthonette Klinkerman
Castle Pines North has an international connection through ZONTA International. The club met recently at La Dolce Vita to honor a young woman from Douglas County that has demonstrated concern for a global issue. Amy Lynn Eckert, among the first graduating class of Castle View High School this year, was the recipient of the ZONTA Club Young Women in Public Affairs Scholarship.
Her sixth grade teacher at Larkspur Elementary, Mary Reed, now retired from Douglas County School District, recalls the young lady fondly. “Her family overcame some immense obstacles, and really pulled together. Her mom is just amazing,” said Reed. Amy’s mother, Barb Eckert, still teaches at Larkspur Elementary.
ZONTA is the Lakota Sioux Indian word for “honest and trustworthy”. The organization was established in 1919 in Buffalo, New York, and now boasts 1,188 clubs in 71 countries, containing over 35,000 members.
ZONTA’s mission is to aid women and children throughout the world politically, economically, socially and legally, and does so in alliance with the United Nation agencies. The Douglas County chapter is seeking to support local foundations that provide aid to women and children in addition to the global support they provide.
New president Christie Thakur stated, “This is an organization I could really get behind.” She knew of its involvement with the Task Force and the Women’s Crisis Center, and joined five years ago. The club’s website features a number of organizations and members committed to providing support to women that have survived atrocities common in foreign countries.
The club meets for lunch every first Monday of the month at La Dolce Vita.
For more information, visit www.zontadouglascounty.org
