Clarion Rotary Awards Four $1,000 Scholarships

Ron Wilshire

Ron Wilshire

Published June 19, 2018 4:32 am
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CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — The Rotary Club of Clarion presented four scholarships to local students entering college.

(Pictured above: Rotarian Matt Lerch, Kaia Rearick, Madeline McNamara, Nicholas Cherico, Makayla Guntrum, and Rotarian Jon Williams.)

The scholarships include Clarion Rotary Clarion University Scholarship ($1,000.00), Clarion Rotary Amy Davis Scholarships (two at $1,000.00), and the Clarion Rotary Trueman Mills Scholarship ($1,000.00).

Students selected included:

 Kaia Rearick, Clarion Rotary Clarion University Scholarship.

A 4.168 GPA at Redbank Valley High School, Kaia will attend Clarion Univerity and major in Molecular Biology. While in high school, she also was an Assistant Little League Coach, Hawthorn Volunteer Fire Dept–Junior Firefighter, tutor at the Community Center, and a member of the National Honor Society.

Madeline McNamara, Clarion Rotary Amy Davis Scholarship (one of two).

Madeline, a 4.33 GPA student at Clarion Area High School, will attend Ohio University and major in Engineering. She was also Salutatorian, a member of Habitat for Humanity, Heavenly Gaits volunteer, National Honor Society, Student Council, Senior High Choir, and had lead roles in the school musical and play.

Nicholas Cherico, Clarion Rotary Amy Davis Scholarship (two of two).

Earned a 4.25 GPA at Clarion Area High School and will attend Duquesne University and has a guaranteed seat at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.  As a student, he was also an Eagle Scout, UPMC NW ER volunteer, created a website for Clarion Suicide Prevention Coalition, National Honor Society, Senior Class President, Senior High Student Council President, and Captain of Clarion High School Football team.

Makayla Guntrum, Clarion Rotary Trueman Mills RYLA Scholarship.

Makayla was a 4.18 student at Redbank Valley High School, and she will attend Westminster College where she will major in Biology, Pre-Vet. As a student, she also was a tutor for Community Center, Civic Engagement Project, Dime War-March of Dimes, Toys For Tots, National Honor Society, and a Non-Certified Vet Technician at Drummond Animal Hospital.

Amy Davis Scholarship

The Amy Davis Scholarship Award is annually awarded to two Clarion County High School Seniors for $1,000.00 apiece.  This year Clarion Rotary had 11 applicants.  The applicants have qualified by placing in the top 20 percent of their class, having maintained a QPA of 3.0 or higher from ninth thru 12thgrade.  These applicants also provided evidence of active service to their school and community through participation in both extracurricular school activities and organizations, and civic and community activities and organizations.

 Clarion University Scholarships

Clarion Rotary also awards another scholarship, the Clarion University Scholarship that is awarded annually to one Clarion County High School Senior who will be attending Clarion University in the fall. This year Clarion Rotary accepted applications from three qualified applicants.  The criteria for the scholarship match the Amy Davis Scholarship criteria.  The amount awarded this year to the recipient is $1,000.00, and it is applied to the student’s fall tuition through the Clarion University Foundation.

Trueman Mills RYLA Scholarship

Clarion Rotary for the third year is awarding the Trueman Mills RYLA Scholarship for $1,000.00.  The scholarship is awarded to a Clarion County Senior who attended RYLA last summer.  Six applicants competed for this award this year.  The criteria also match the Amy Davis criteria as well, except the QPA must be 3.5 or higher instead of 3.0 or higher.  An essay on their experience at RYLA was also included.

A word about the students

“These four scholars achieved not only academic brilliance but also embraced Rotary International’s spirit of Service Above Self,” said Rotarian Matt Lerch.  “With so many qualified applicants in a field of high achieving Clarion County students, the selection process is difficult and arduous.  Placing heavy emphasis on volunteerism, the four selected students stood out amongst their peers due to not only their academic excellence but also their altruistic yearning to help others as is the spirit of Rotary International.”  

“Perhaps one day, these four students will remember this award amongst the many other scholarships they were awarded this year and will become Rotarians in whatever county, state, or foreign country in which they reside.”

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