Center awards 21 Legacy of Heroines scholarships

Since 1996, the Legacy of Heroines program has provided a number of scholarships to outstanding students who seek involvement in and knowledge about the political process and public service. Scholarships are awarded based on academic merit and leadership experience as well as specific criteria determined by donors.

Students selected receive a one-time scholarship that is split between the fall and spring semesters. Previous scholars are able to renew scholarships if funds are available and they continue to fulfill the criteria set.

Legacy of Heroines scholars are offered a variety of opportunities including trips to the state Capitol, dinners with guest speakers, campus activities and skills development workshops as well as leadership development programs and mentoring through the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics. Scholars also are given the special opportunity to meet with their donor(s).

Returning Legacy of Heroines scholars for 2016-2017 are:

Vivian Cook is a junior majoring in performing arts and French. This is Cook’s second year as the recipient of the Lauri K. and James R. Young Legacy of Heroines scholarship, which is supported by Lauri and James Young of Cedar Falls, Iowa. Cook is involved in the Iowa State University Theatre Program as a stage manager, class instructor, construction and scenic painter, and as an event coordinator for the ISU One Day plays. She is a member of the ISU Honors Program, where she was awarded the outstanding First Year Honors Program scholarship, and has been named multiple semesters to the Dean’s List. Cook is a member of the Cantamus women’s choir and an officer for the Iowa State Center Stephens Street Team. Her goal is to become an artistic director for a repertory theatre company with an interest in political theatre or theatre for social change. Cook is from Prescott, Arizona.

Rachel Jones from Windsor, Colorado, is a senior majoring in kinesiology and Spanish. This is Jones’ second year as the recipient of the Katherine Bruntlett Annin Legacy of Heroines scholarship, which is supported by Annin’s estate. Jones is a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, a mentor for Youth and Shelter Services, a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, an ISU Honors Program ambassador and a section leader for the First Year Honors Program. She has been named to the Dean’s List and is a member of the Gamma Sigma Alpha honorary society. After graduation, Jones plans to pursue a career in occupational therapy working to help people who have faced strokes, car accidents, surgeries or other tragedies that cause physical, mental or developmental setbacks.

Angela Katoski, from Duluth, Minnesota, is a fifth-year senior who will graduate with a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor of science in civil engineering. This is Katoski’s second year as the recipient of the Joanne and Charles Kuster Legacy of Heroines scholarship, which is supported by Joanne and Charles Kuster of Johnston, Iowa. Katoski has held leadership positions in the Emerging Leaders in Engineering program and is a member of Women in Science and Engineering. She also has volunteered with Youth and Shelter Services. Katoski plans to use her degree from ISU to work as a project engineer for a construction management company.

Mica Magtoto is from Ames, Iowa, and a junior majoring in nutritional science and international agriculture. She is also a member of the Vermeer International Leadership Program’s 2016-2017 cohort. This is Magoto’s second year as a recipient of the Helen Jensen Howe Legacy of Heroines Scholarship for Women in Science, which is supported by Helen Jensen Howe of Muscatine, Iowa. Magtoto has served as the special events co-chair for Freshmen Council, is a member of AmeriCorps through ISU Extension and Outreach, and volunteers at the Boys and Girls Club of Ames. She plans to pursue a master’s degree while working with the Peace Corps or an internship with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service Agency. Magtoto hopes to eventually become an international aid worker in the field of development and nutrition education.

Amelia Medici, from Johnston, Iowa, is a senior who will graduate with a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor of science in industrial engineering. This is Medici’s second year as the Meylor Family Legacy of Heroines scholar. This scholarship is supported by former Legacy of Heroines scholar Sharon Haselhoff of Larchwood, Iowa. Medici has served as an officer for the Delta Zeta sorority and for the Collegiate Panhellenic. She has worked as a Cyclone Aide and as an orientation leader for ISU New Student Programs and has volunteered with Dance Marathon for the past three years. Medici also volunteers as an industrial and manufacturing system engineering student ambassador through the College of Engineering. In the future, Medici hopes to have a career in logistics before starting her own business.

Melissa Moy, from Aurora, Illinois, is a senior majoring in biology with a certificate in leadership studies. This is Moy’s third year as a recipient of the Helen Jensen Howe Legacy of Heroines Scholarship for Women in Science. Moy is an active volunteer as a College of Liberal Arts and Sciences student ambassador, a community adviser, and as the diversity chair for her residence hall floor. She also volunteers with the Naperville (Illinois) Area Humane Society. Moy serves on the ISU Honors Program’s philanthropy, art and first year Honors Program committees. She also has been named numerous times to the Dean’s List. Moy plans to earn her doctorate in biology to fulfill her goal of becoming a biological research scientist with an emphasis in genetics.

Jennifer Poncelet is from Spirit Lake, Iowa, and a junior majoring in kinesiology and health with a minor in psychology. This is Poncelet’s third year as a recipient of the Elizabeth Hoffman and Brian R. Binger Legacy of Heroines scholarship, which is supported by Elizabeth Hoffman and Brian Binger of Ames, Iowa. She is a section leader for the First Year Honors Program and is a member of the First Year Honors Program Committee and the Freshmen Council Philanthropy Committee. Poncelet is a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society and served as a student representative on the Women Impacting ISU 2017 calendar selection committee. She hopes to have a medical career in neonatal care.

Jeane Robles is a senior majoring in genetics from West Des Moines, Iowa. This is Robles’ third year as a recipient of the Helen Jensen Howe Legacy of Heroines Scholarship for Women in Science. Robles has been a Cyclone Aide, a residence hall community adviser, and a peer mentor for the Sky’s the Limit Learning Community and Bridging Opportunities in Leadership and Diversity. She worked as a research assistant and is a member of the Cardinal Key honor society. Robles plans to pursue an advanced degree in student affairs with a focus on research in student learning by combining her bachelor’s degree in genetics to develop effective teaching strategies.

New Legacy of Heroines scholars for 2016-2017 are:

Kimberley Boggus is a non-traditional student who returned to school after a number of years and is currently a senior majoring in communications with a certificate in leadership studies. She is from Des Moines, Iowa. Boggus is a Phyllis Davis Legacy of Heroines scholar, which is supported by multiple donors in memory of Davis. Boggus serves on the Des Moines Parks and Recreation Committee and the Des Moines Public School Improvement Committee. She is the affirmative action chair for the Iowa Democratic Party and the recipient of the IDP’s Activist of the Year Award. Boggus works part time in Des Moines as the community outreach coordinator for the Des Moines Bicycle Collective, a nonprofit that promotes education and advances policies related to cycling as a form of transportation. She hopes to become a grant writer and work on legislation, possibly as a public servant or an elected official.

BriAna Campbell is a junior majoring in journalism with minors in communication studies and political science from Emmetsburg, Iowa. She is an Elverna Christian Legacy of Heroines scholar, which is supported by Darleane Hoffman of Oakland, California. Campbell is an officer in Sigma Kappa sorority, a member of the Lyrica Choir, and a news anchor for ISUtv. She also was named to the Dean’s List in 2015 and 2016\. Campbell has a strong interest in politics and moderated the Iowa Caucus special for ISUtv.

**Zoey Shipley**, from Dayton, Iowa, is a sophomore majoring in political science. She is the recipient of the Jane Greimann Legacy of Heroines scholarship, which is supported by Lowell Greimann of Ames, Iowa. Shipley serves as the secretary of the Freshmen Council and as a member of the council’s Social Justice Committee. She is also a member of the Political Science and Pre-Law clubs. Shipley is a student ambassador for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, an Andrew Goodman Foundation ambassador and a Cyclone Aide. Upon graduation, she plans to attend graduate or law school. Shipley hopes to someday work as an advocate for human rights or in public or foreign service as a diplomat or Foreign Service officer.