TWO Proserpine students have been awarded education bursaries by Zonta Whitsunday this year.

Usually only one educational grant of $1000 is awarded but this year Zonta couldn't choose between the two short-listed applicants.

Grace Barrile, a year 11 student from St Catherine's, and Cherlika Gordon, who recently graduated from Proserpine State High School, met with the Zonta committee last week to receive their bursary.

Sandii Hansen said Zonta aimed to empower women and facilitating the education of young women in the community was the perfect way to do that.

"We love the youth of our community and this is why the education bursary has been bought about,” she said.

"The money will go a long way to supporting their studies.”

Grace will be studying journalism and tourism in year 12 next year and Cherlika will be heading off to James Cook University in Townsville where she will study physiotherapy.

"(The money) will help me heaps,'' Grace said.

"Quite a lot has happened in the last few years.

"My dad passed away in a car crash last year which made it really hard.

"My mum had to come up here ... and she has found it hard getting a job,” Grace said.

"We have had some financial difficulties so this will help me get through year 12, so I am really grateful.”

Cherlika said she would spend the money setting up for the uni year beginning in February.

"It will assist me heaps just with buying a laptop for my course,” she said.

The two students will attend the January meeting of Zonta where they will meet the other members of the organisation.

Both recipients said they were grateful to Zonta Whitsunday.