Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Rho Lambda Zeta Chapter has announced the 2025 recipients of its prestigious Shareece S. Hayes Finer Womanhood Scholarship, awarded annually to outstanding young women in King and Snohomish counties. This year’s recipients—Leilah Spalding, Kennedy Roberts, and Misgana Kiflom—were selected for their exemplary academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to community service.
Named in honor of founding chapter member and education advocate Soror Shareece S. Hayes, the scholarship is part of the chapter’s mission to uplift future leaders who reflect the organization’s guiding principles: scholarship, service, sisterhood, and finer womanhood.
“These young women exemplify what the Shareece S. Hayes Scholarship stands for,” said chapter representatives. “They are leaders in their schools and communities, and they are committed to making a lasting impact.”
Meet the 2025 Recipients:
Leilah Spalding – Spalding, a senior at Renton High School and a Running Start student at Bellevue College, has distinguished herself through rigorous academic achievement and meaningful community engagement. Balancing college coursework, a job, and extracurriculars, she has developed a foundation for a career in mental health advocacy.
Spalding plans to attend Howard University, where she will major in sociology before pursuing a Ph.D. in psychology. She aspires to become a clinical psychologist specializing in brain trauma, particularly for athletes affected by Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
“Education is not just about personal success—it’s about uplifting others,” said Spalding. “I want to use my future in psychology to advocate for those whose struggles are often overlooked and create a lasting impact in mental health care.”
Kennedy Roberts – Roberts, a senior at Nikola Tesla STEM High School, will attend Norfolk State University to major in marketing with a focus on digital strategy. Her education combines STEM and business with real-world experience. She is a three-time varsity cheerleader, a member of her school’s Equity Board, and co-founder of LBK Customs LLC, her family’s small business.
She also served as the first Miss Washington HBCU Junior Teen, a title she used to champion equity and community visibility for Black youth.
“I’m committed to giving back through education, mentorship, and representation,” said Roberts. “When young Black students see themselves reflected in leadership and success, it builds confidence and creates new possibilities. I want to be a part of that change.”
Misgana Kiflom – Kiflom, a senior at Shorewood High School, has made her mark as a student leader and civic advocate. With a 3.798 GPA, she served as president of her school’s Black Student Union, led youth development efforts, and even lobbied in the U.S. Senate for policy reform.
Kiflom will attend Howard University to study political science and plans to pursue a legal career focused on civil rights or immigration law—areas where she believes urgent advocacy is needed.
“I plan to become a lawyer in civil rights or immigration law,” Kiflom said. “These areas are increasingly under attack, and I’m determined to be a voice for marginalized communities by challenging injustice through advocacy and policy.”
Founded in 1920, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated is a community-conscious, action-oriented organization dedicated to empowering women and strengthening communities. The Rho Lambda Zeta Chapter, chartered in 1999 in SeaTac, Washington, upholds that legacy through youth-focused programs and scholarship support.
The Shareece S. Hayes Finer Womanhood Scholarship honors Soror Hayes’s legacy of service and resilience. A trailblazer in youth advocacy and one of Rho Lambda Zeta’s founding members, Hayes believed in empowering women through education and opportunity. The scholarship continues her mission by supporting high school seniors who lead with integrity and a vision for social change.
For more information about the scholarship or to support Rho Lambda Zeta’s programs, contact Rachael Steward at rholambdazeta1920@gmail.com or visit rlz1920.com.
