Submitted by Rotary Club of South Puget Sound-Olympia
Eight graduating seniors from South Puget Sound high schools recently were awarded college scholarships from the Rotary Club of South Puget Sound-Olympia.
The awards were part of $13,000 in scholarships Rotary members gave to students from Oakville, Rainier, Tenino, Rochester and the New Market Skills Center. Scholarship funds will help pay for tuition and books leading to a license, certification, associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
“The Rotary Club of South Puget Sound-Olympia has a strong educational focus. In addition to these eight scholarships, our club gave $5,000 to the South Puget Sound Community College Foundation to help Thurston County GRAVITY Program students pay fees for GED testing,” stated Kim Metz, SPS Rotary Scholarship Committee Chair.
The scholarships don’t require a perfect GPA. Several factors were considered, including the desire to be successful. “A lot of these kids maybe didn’t get off to the best start in high school, but the last couple of years they’ve really stepped up,” said Metz.
For some, the award means they can focus on education, rather than paying the bills. For others, it’s the confidence they need to conquer college. “Every one of them has a plan, and I think that’s something worth rewarding and something worth encouraging, and that’s what we try and do,” said Metz.
2015 Scholarship winners are: Oakville – Brenda Borro, $2,000, Kayley Sharp, $1,000;
Rainier – Cheyenne Bell, $2,000, Trevor Shaw, $1,000; Tenino – Natalie Hall, $2,000;
Rochester – Kaylin Fosnacht, $2,000, Emily Masseth, $1,000;
New Market Skills Center – Thomas Tinney, $2,000.
The Rotary Club of South Puget Sound-Olympia’s 50+ members are dedicated to doing good in the world. There are more than 32,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries. We gather at weekly meetings and other functions to fulfill our commitment to the Rotarian ideals of friendship, fellowship, and service to others.
