Jo Ann Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship
This Scholarship was established to invest in women who can benefit from this assistance to help achieve their educational goals in the field of accounting
Award Description
The Jo Ann Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship is named for an extraordinary member of the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) 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 her youngest years, she demonstrated a natural gift with numbers and cash management, and, coupled with her innate organizational skills, Jo Ann quickly moved up the corporate ladder to serve as CFO, and 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 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.
Eligibility to Apply
This scholarship is open to women who meet the following:
- Have completed at least one accounting-specific class?
- Do you have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0?
- Will you have completed a minimum of 12 college-level units?
- Work, live, or have a permanent address in one of the following regions: Santa Clarita Valley, Antelope Valley, San Fernando Valley, or Northern Communities along the Interstate 5.
Application Timeline
- Application Due Date: March 31, 2026
- Zonta Review & Determination Period: April 2026
- Scholarship Distributed: May 14, 2026
What are the requirements?
Please complete the Application in its entirety, including the attachment of an unofficial transcript. Only typed applications will be accepted and considered.
Applications are accepted by email only (jrmscholarship@scvzonta.org).
2026 Scholarship winners announced
Congratulations to the Jo Ann Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship recipients Raqual Holmes, Joanna Samayoa, Paula Fowler, Joselle Marcelo, Rebekah Vincent, Andriele dos Santos, Jalin Fortune, Kenya Pittman, Shirley Carrillo, Arianna Samano, and Lilianna Escamilla! Pictured with award recipients are Club President Cherise Moore, Tressa Lacy and committee chairs Nicole Miller and Desiree Dodd.
Our Jo Ann Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship was established to invest in women to help them achieve their educational goals with an academic interest in accounting. This scholarship was established in Jo Ann’s name, to honor her legacy in the SCV and as a Zonta leader.