Peconic Bay Zonta Announces Local Scholarship Winners

Aysel Mortillo and Jackeline Villa are the newest recipients of a $350 scholarship each from Peconic Bay Zonta, a nonprofit organization that seeks to build a better world for women and girls. The local Zonta group awards scholarships to women who have successfully completed the level 3 English as a Second Language (ESL) course at Suffolk County Community College (SCCC) and have demonstrated an academic intent focused on a career goal.

Aysel Mortillo

Seven years ago, Mortillo emigrated from Turkey with her husband and toddler son, taking up residence in Greenport. She has been concurrently pursuing a master’s degree through long-distance education provided by the Faculty of Agriculture in Turkey along with continuing her education in the United States. She holds a college degree from the Faculty of Agriculture and had worked as an engineer for nine years before emigrating. Here in the U.S., Mortillo's goal is to transition into a nursing career. Her ESL classes at SCCC have afforded her the needed language skills and confidence to continue her education and career journey.

Villa, emigrating to the United States two years ago, has used her new language skills as a group leader working with children at Project Most in East Hampton, an after-school Saturday and summer program that coincides with the typical hours of working parents. Her language classes and work experience have put her on track to achieve her goal as a kindergarten teacher.

The members of Peconic Bay Zonta commend and are proud to aid and support the goals of the ESL winners in their pursuit of knowledge, career and community service.