Zonta Douglas County, ACC scholarship allows Malaysian Mom to dream of better future

LITTLETON, Colo. - Oct. 4, 2016 - PRLog -- While growing up with her large family in Malaysia, Leah Porter knew she wouldn't be going to college. The highest education level completed by her parents was fourth grade. Her family didn't have the money, especially for a girl.

However, Porter knew she wanted something more from life than just being a good housewife so she became the first child in her family to finish high school. She then went to Singapore in search of a better life. Once there, Porter discovered she didn't have the education for a good job and student loans for college weren't available to her.

Instead, she married an American from Iowa, had two daughters (now 9 and 15 years old), and moved to Colorado. Her husband travels much of the time, so she is raising her girls primarily on her own. Once her youngest was in first grade, she enrolled in Arapahoe Community College (ACC).

Last spring, Porter applied for and received a $2,000 scholarship from Zonta Douglas County that was matched by ACC.

"This scholarship will help me finish the initial business administration courses at ACC by next spring and then transfer to University of Colorado Denver where I plan to complete my degree in Business Management," says Porter. "I feel like I have been given a second chance to have a better future and be a good role model for my daughters.

"My father, who is still in Malaysia, thinks at 38 I am too old for college," she continues. "However, so many other people have encouraged me to pursue my dreams and I couldn't be happier."

The mission of Zonta Douglas County is to improve the lives of women and children. Its local scholarship program is funded primarily through its annual Trivia Night Fundraiser scheduled for April 8, 2017. Teams of six adults compete in eight rounds of mind-bending trivia with cash prizes for the top teams. For more information on the 2017 event, visit www.zontadouglascounty.org.

ABOUT ZONTA

Founded in 2003, Zonta Douglas County is part of Zonta International, a global organization of executives and professionals working together to advance the status of women worldwide.  The group meets the first Monday evening of every month at La Dolce Vita Restaurant in Castle Pines. Nearly 33,000 members belong to more than 1,200 Zonta clubs in 67 countries and geographic areas.  For more information visit www.zontadouglascounty.org.