Total of $34,000 distributed by club
HIGHLANDS – One of the major projects that the Highlands Rotary club holds every year is the awarding of scholarships to graduating seniors and in-college students.
Usually the awards are made at a festive banquet held at the Community Center. However, this year was different, due to the COVID virus pandemic. The ceremony was delayed six weeks, and then it was held in small groups at the club’s regular luncheon.
Scholarship chairman Dr. Larry White acted as emcee in each of four presentations. The students reported on their accomplishments, and plans for the future.
Dr. White explained that there had been 59 applicants for the awards, which are received by the club with the help of school counselors. Usually the awards go to someone living in th
Scholarship Chairman
e Highlands or Crosby zip codes. A committee of ten Rotarians reads and grades the applications, which include academic records, activities and an essay.
Of the 20 awards, 11 attend Goose Creek Memoriall HS, 2 attend Crosby HS, 1 attends Chinquapin Prep school, and 6 are college students who received awards previously too.
Scholarship amounts were $1500 and four named in honor of past Rotarians in the amount of $2500 each. These include the R. L. Creel scholarship to Abraham Montoya; the W. L. Herndon DDS Scholarship to Morgan Forsyth; Pat McPhee Scholarship to Olivia Davis; and J. E. Bird Scholarship to Keiddrick Fizer.
The Rotary Club raises money from several events, including the Chili Feast every February, and the Washer Tournament every September. The latter had to be cancelled this year.
In turn, they use the funds to help community projects through the year. In the last few years, the money was used to support Hurricane Harvey victims, Homeless Services, Cody Stephens heart screenings, a gazebo in the park, the Food Pantry, Highlands Horizons, Highlands Fire Department programs, the Methodist Church, public school support, Polio Plus, Stratford Library, and Student Exchange.
The Highlands Rotary Club welcomes new members that might be interested in the club’s activities. Call 281-426- 3558.
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| Additional Scholarship recipients: Kellye Martinez, Shalyn Nguyen | |