One of the most rewarding things that Zonta Club of the Black Hills does each year is encourage young female leaders by awarding college scholarships. This year, we are proud to announce that Regan Odegaard of Rapid City was awarded the Young Women in Public Affairs Scholarship from our organization.

Regan, a Rapid City Stevens High School senior, is an extraordinary young woman who plans to attend South Dakota State University in Brookings next year. Regan wants to study biology and eventually enter medical school or become a physician’s assistant. She has plans to become involved in the student government at SDSU and continue her involvement in her church, which will hopefully include mission trips abroad.

Currently, Regan is the senior class co-president at Rapid City Stevens High School and has been in the student council for the past three years. This year, Regan also graduated from the Leadership Rapid City class, a program sponsored by the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce to teach leadership to the next generation of community leaders.

Also in her senior year at Stevens, Regan was leader for her high school soccer team and previously served as captain. This season, she was voted most inspiring player by her teammates and coach, as well as the best defensive player.

As if that wasn’t enough, Regan is also part of a leadership group called Frontlines, which meets monthly to learn about becoming service-type leaders. And she has been a part of Love Rapid City, which brings community members together every second Saturday of the month and for one full week annually to provide community service to the community.

It’s perfectly clear that Regan embodies the very qualities that Zonta encourages in its young women. We are proud of what Regan has already accomplished and look forward to seeing her continue to evolve and grow into a strong and capable leader. With young women like Regan at the helm, our community, state and country are in strong hands.

Congratulations Regan!