News Summary
The Rotary Club of Brandon has awarded scholarships totaling $26,500 to 12 local high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding community service. The recipients were recognized for their collective 3,519 hours of volunteer work during an event held at the Rivard-Simmons Event Center. Notable student Julian Montefusco received a $2,500 scholarship, having completed 704 hours of service, while others also earned significant awards based on their community contributions. The club emphasizes the importance of ‘Service Above Self’ as these students step into their future educational pursuits.
Brandon Rotarians Award Scholarships Totaling $26,500 to 12 Local High School Seniors
The Rotary Club of Brandon has awarded scholarships totaling $26,500 to 12 graduating seniors from six local high schools. This annual event took place on June 10 at the Rivard-Simmons Event Center, hosted by the Brandon Rotary Charity Fund. The recipients were recognized for their impressive commitment to community service, collectively reporting 3,519 hours of volunteer work.
Among the scholarship recipients, Julian Montefusco, a graduate of Durant High School, stood out by amassing 704 service hours. He received the $2,500 Sharon S. Sellers Memorial Scholarship and plans to pursue higher education at the University of South Florida (USF) with a 5.86 weighted GPA. Other notable recipients included Imogen Lanzetta and Calleigh Eakle, who were awarded $2,000 and $2,500 scholarships, respectively, based on their significant contributions to their communities.
Tim Ryan, the outgoing president of the Rotary Club of Brandon, emphasized the importance of the motto “Service Above Self” during the recognition ceremony. The scholarship recipients hailed from various schools, including Armwood, Bloomingdale, Durant, Newsome, Riverview, and Winthrop College Prep Academy, reflecting the broad impact of the program across the community.
Details on Scholarship Recipients
The recipients of the scholarships included:
- Julian Montefusco – $2,500, Durant High School, 704 service hours, 5.86 GPA, heading to USF.
- Imogen Lanzetta – $2,000, Newsome High School, 320 service hours, 6.63 GPA, attending USF.
- Calleigh Eakle – $2,500, Bloomingdale High School, 405 service hours, 10.26 GPA, off to the University of Florida (UF).
- Carter Young – $2,500, Bloomingdale High School, 304 service hours, 9.62 GPA, going to Purdue University.
- Samantha Dimler – $2,000, Bloomingdale High School, 313 service hours, 5.28 GPA, attending Liberty University.
- Asher Berger – $2,000, Riverview High School, 104 service hours, 7.02 GPA, heading to UF.
- Cameron Campbell – $2,000, Armwood High School, 156 service hours, 6.6 GPA, going to UF.
- Vincent Nordquist – $2,500, Newsome High School, 223 service hours, heading to UF.
- Andrew Rintoul – $2,500, Newsome High School, 178 service hours, also heading to UF.
- Christian Reggie – $2,000, Newsome High School, 200 service hours, 5.84 GPA, attending Florida State University (FSU).
- Catalina and Kristina Dixon – $2,000 each, Winthrop College Prep Academy, 308 and 304 service hours respectively, 6.4 GPA, both heading to FSU.
Encouragement for Future Involvement
Past President Debbie Meegan expressed hope that scholarship recipients would consider joining Rotaract, a service organization dedicated to those aged 18-30, thus continuing their commitment to service beyond their high school years. The event not only highlighted the hard work of the students but also showcased the significance of community service in their educational journey.
About the Rotary Club of Brandon
The Rotary Club of Brandon meets weekly on Tuesdays at noon at the Rivard-Simmons Rotary Event Center located at 3007 S. Kings Ave. in Brandon. The club is dedicated to fostering community service and enhancing the lives of residents in the Brandon area.
The combined efforts of the Rotary Club, local schools, and the recipients underscore a shared commitment to academic excellence and community engagement. For many students, these scholarships represent not just financial assistance but also recognition and encouragement to continue their positive contributions to society.
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Additional Resources
- Osprey Observer: Brandon Rotarians Award Scholarships Totaling $26,500 to 12 Local High School Seniors
- Osprey Observer: 49-Year Tradition of Brandon Rotary’s Wild Game Night
- The Sun Papers: Rotary Club Awards $78,000 in Scholarships
- Trentonian: Medford Vincentown Rotary Bestows $78,000 in Scholarships
- Wikipedia: Rotary International
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