Nisha R. Shah, a senior at Cape Central High School, has been recognized with the Cape Girardeau Area Zonta Chapter's International Young Woman in Public Affairs award.

The award is presented annually to a student who exemplifies the ideals of Zonta in promoting the legal, political, economic and professional status of women.

The award is based on a submitted essay, the student's academic achievement and service within the community. The essay covers such topics as goals and aspirations, international awareness, personal role models, historical role models and world vision.

Shah, the daughter of Raj and Kal Shah, is an honor student at Cape Central. She serves as president of the speech and debate team, assistant editor of the newspaper, co-secretary of the National Honor Society and treasurer of the Future Business Leaders of America.

Shah attended a world affairs seminar at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater during the summer of 1997.

Shah has been a student volunteer at Southeast Missouri Hospital for four years and has served as a volunteer tour guide for the historic Glenn House. She has volunteered for the Southeast Missouri Council on the Arts, Vision 2000 and the Pride on the South Side project.

In school, she has also earned the Daughters of the American Revolution Award, the American History award and the Citizenship Award.