The Jo Ann Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship is named for an extraordinary member of the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley who passed away in 2019 following a brave fight with COPD. Jo Ann was passionate about her chosen profession of accounting. She did not attend college, but she took advantage of invaluable opportunities after graduating high school which enabled her to learn through experience. From the earliest days she demonstrated a natural gift with numbers and cash management, and coupled with her innate organizational skills, she quickly moved up the corporate ladder to become CFO, the only woman on the Klune Industries’ executive team. She joined Zonta SCV in 1999 when she graced the club with her natural leadership talents as a two-time president, parliamentarian, District 9 Treasurer, volunteer and chair of the Healthy Kids Club for many years, and more.

Not every young woman with a talent for numbers has the resources or contacts to “learn through experience” as Jo Ann did. Her family has generously funded a Zonta scholarship for a deserving female student studying Business Accounting, so that she might create a lucrative career for herself and achieve success despite her economic or social situation. Jo Ann’s name will be remembered for many years, and the recipients of her scholarship will flourish through its assistance.

Award Description

The Jo Ann Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship was established by the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) in 2021 to invest in young women who have demonstrated outstanding potential in the field of Accounting.

Jo Ann left behind a legacy of encouraging women to achieve their full potential. She was hard working, elegant, thoughtful and had a sharp sense of humor; she spoke with kindness and intelligence and sincerely listened.  Recognized for her abilities to bring out the best in others, Jo Ann’s talents and warm personality will be memorialized through recipients of this scholarship.

The Jo Ann Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship is awarded to women undertaking accounting studies who have demonstrated outstanding potential in the field. Scholarships of $3,000 each will be offered to students who live in the Santa Clarita Valley area and attend College of the Canyons located in Santa Clarita, CA.

Who is Eligible?

Women of any age, who are pursuing an accounting degree and demonstrate outstanding potential in the accounting field.

Applicants must be residents of the Greater Santa Clarita Valley area (Acton, Agua Dulce, Castaic, City of Santa Clarita, Stevenson Ranch, Val Verde and Westridge), enrolled in an accounting program at College of the Canyons located in Santa Clarita, CA, enrolled in at least their second year of college, and have completed 24 units with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher. Online students and members of the Golden Z Club are eligible to apply.

What are the requirements?

The following documents are required in the application package. Only typed applications will be accepted and considered:

1. The official application
2. Provide up to five (5) sentences each for history and activities
3. An essay of 350 words, or less
4. Declaration of Applicant
5. Privacy Policy and Publicity Authorization – completed and return with application
6. Verification of Current Enrollment form signed by the college/registrar
7. Two recommendations from adults, not related to the applicant

Applications are accepted by email only (jrmscholarship@scvzonta.org); Signatures must be signed and transmitted as a PDF (as indicated).