The Rotary Club of Novato recently awarded $11,500 in scholarships to deserving graduating high school seniors.
Steve Delahunty, chair of the club’s Scholarship Committee, kicked off this year’s local Rotary Scholarship Awards presentations. This is a hands-on committee that interviews and picks the winners for the Club to help them further their education, encourage a continuation of their good works, and define the type of future Rotarian they hope they will one day become.
They had a wonderful group and every one of them was an outstanding selection. They indeed represent others before self.
The students receiving awards were:
Samantha Hassett, San Marin High School, first place ($2,500): Samantha has been a member of the California Scholarship Federation for four years and a member of the Yearbook, Interact, and Breast Cancer Awareness Clubs over the last few years as well. In addition to having a 4.00 GPA she received the Scholar Athlete Award, Sportsmanship Award, and Novato Inspirational Student Award. She traveled to La Mission, Mexico to help build and renovate the local church, day care, and orphanage as well as local homes. Samantha plans to study Biology and pursue a career as a Pharmacist so she can help to provide medicine to developing countries.
Leeann Alferness, San Marin HS, second place ($2,000) and Tom Winner Scholarship ($2,000): Leeann graduated with a 4.1 GPA and was co-president of the Interact Club. She has been involved with donation drives, fund-raising for refugee camps in Thailand, and helping the elderly. She continues to work at the Marine Mammal Center where she helps rehabilitate seals and sea lions. Leeann’s goal is to become a Marine Biologist or Veterinarian. This year she plans to go on a mission to New Orleans to help rebuild homes devastated by Katrina.
Sara Haugen, San Marin HS, third place ($1,500): Sara has volunteered three times in New Orleans helping Katrina victims and has taken two trips to Mexico to build shelters and help children at an orphanage. In addition to having earned a GPA of 4.0, Sara is talented, has a big heart and her work ethic is inexhaustible. Sara plans to major in International Studies as she would like to a career with an international non-profit organization so she can work to support the development of Latin American communities.
Megan Caldwell, San Marin HS, Ketron Scholarship ($1,000): Megan has earned a 3.81 GPA. She has been involved in cross country, musical theater, show choir and CSF, She has been in the Girl Scouts since the 2nd grade and just completed the Gold Award project. Last summer Megan took charge of organizing the Phyllis Cope Donation Drive in conjunction with Novato Human Needs Center and Good Will. Megan would like to become a News Anchor for a television network. Over the last two years, Megan has served as both a Broadcast Intern and Production Intern at San Francisco’s, ABC 7 News. She enjoys writing essays and articles for the “Novato Patch.”
Rochelle Craig of San Marin HS, Honorable Mention ($500): Rochelle has been on the honor roll during her entire high school career. She has contributed to her community through her work in the Girl Scouts. Rochelle is kind, open-minded, intellectually curious, and has a true commitment to life-long learning. She loves children and wants to help them learn and become the best they can be. She has an interest in becoming a Special Education or Elementary teacher, with perhaps a double major for both.
Tara Kaveh and Arlin Benavides both of NOVA Independent Study were recipients of $500 Scholarships.
Tara has a strong work ethic and a very highly developed moral fiber. This past year, she worked one day a week with Amnesty International, an international organization whose goal is to fight justice and promote human rights. In addition to her internship, Tara worked as a waitress at Mary’s on Grant Avenue and also took two classes at College of Marin each semester. She hopes to go to law school after obtaining her B.A. and use her law degree to serve the public.
Arlin is a highly motivated, goal-oriented young man. He is very active in his church and has donated a great amount of time to Amigos de las Americas, a nonprofit organization that develops sustainable projects in Latin America. While Arlin was at NOVA, he also worked as a waiter in an assisted living facility for seniors. Arlin also took classes in architecture at College of Marin while at NOVA.
Adlieni Maldonado Maya and Fernando Cervera both of Marin Oaks High School, were also recipients of $500 Scholarships.
Adileni’s career goal is to become a Registered Nurse. She graduated from Marin Oaks HS, an entire quarter early, because it was very important to her that she earn her high school diploma before her son, Joshua, was born in March. In addition to being a devoted mother, Adileni works part-time at DSW Shoes in Novato. She wants to save money for college and plans to enroll as a full-time student in the nursing program at College of Marin in the fall of 2013.
Fernando is a very hard-working and dedicated young man. He graduated from Marin Oaks HS in December, and has been working part-time at Wild Fox in Novato. He plans to continue working and saving his earnings until he enrolls at College of Marin where he will explore a career in criminal justice. Fernando is kind, gentle, considerate and dependable.
