Above / The Rotary Club of Naperville honored numerous recent high school graduates with college scholarships, recognizing their outstanding academic performance and service to the community. (Photo by Ron Hume)
The impressive accomplishments and goals of Naperville area high school graduates was clearly evident Thursday morning, June 2, 2016, at the Rotary Club of Naperville’s annual scholarship breakfast.
One by one, students who had been selected to receive these valuable scholarships were introduced at the podium and spoke about their future plans. The audience, filled with Rotarians, parents, and guests, sat proudly in awe of these young adults and their commitment to academic achievement, service to the community, and making a positive impact with their lives.
“Strong support for the scholarships that benefit our local young people has been a part of the Rotary mission for a long time,” said Rotarian Kathy Birkett, chair of the scholarship committee and former superintendent of schools for Indian Prairie School District 204. “We have phenomenal students here and being able to recognize them and assist them as they take the next step is rewarding. I look forward to hearing about the great things that lie ahead for each of them.”
Every year, the Rotary Club of Naperville provides scholarships to graduating high school seniors who are residents of the 203 or 204 school district attendance areas. The primary criteria for selection are demonstrated leadership qualities, school service, and community service. Most of the scholarships were funded through the collection of good-natured fines from all Rotary Club of Naperville members at their weekly luncheons.
In addition, the Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise provided one of the Above and Beyond Scholarships, and North Central College, in conjunction with Naperville Rotary Charities, funded the Make a Difference North Central College Scholarships.
2016 Scholarships & Recipients
Gene Drendel Scholarship
Kyra Conroy, who recently graduated from Naperville Central High School, was awarded the Gene Drendel Scholarship. She plans to attend Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and will study industrial engineering.
This $5,000 scholarship was introduced to honor Gene Drendel who was a distinguished Rotarian, a long-time and well-respected educator, and life-long resident of Naperville. This scholarship is awarded to one high school senior who demonstrates academic and athletic excellence while providing service to his or her community.
Service above Self Scholarship
Two students received the Service above Self Scholarship. Mary Reinertson, a recent Waubonsie Valley High School grad, will attend Northern Illinois University in the fall to study electrical engineering. Lexi Sanders, who recently graduated from Neuqua Valley High School, will attend High Point University in High Point, North Carolina, and plans to major in broadcast journalism.
This $4,000 scholarship is awarded annually to two high school seniors who successfully demonstrate academic excellence and a substantial commitment to service.
At-Hope Scholarship
Jacquelyn Kurkjian, Haley Mason, Jaren McVey, Morgan Reid, and Lauren Wood each received Rotary’s At-Hope Scholarship. Kurkjian, from Metea Valley High School, will attend Denison University in Granville, Ohio. Mason, from Naperville Central High School, will attend Purdue University and study chemical engineering. McVey, from Waubonsie Valley High School, will attend Illinois Institute of Technology, majoring in electrical engineering. Reid from Neuqua Valley High School will attend Indiana University to study finance and economics. Wood, from St. Francis High School, will attend St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana, to study nursing.
This $1,000 scholarship is for graduating high school seniors who are able to demonstrate overcoming a challenge which occurred over the course of their high school career. One scholarship is awarded to a student from each of the five local high schools.
The development of the “At Hope” scholarship seven years ago was based upon the vision of Pat Merryweather, a past president of the Rotary Club of Naperville and past Rotary district governor. Her vision of the term “at hope” is that it distinguishes students from the commonly used phrase “at risk.” Instead, it is the very desirable flip-side of the term.
Make a Difference North Central College Scholarship
Noah Cinzio, from Naperville Central High School, and Paige Nadherny from Naperville North, each received the Make a Difference North Central College Scholarship. They both plan to attend North Central College in the fall. Cinzio will have a triple major in political science, philosophy, and economics and will also play on North Central’s baseball team. Nadherny plans to major in biology and play on the women’s lacrosse team.
This $5,000 scholarship is awarded to a local high school senior, or split between two local students, who will be attending North Central College with an interest in leadership, service, and the spirit of Rotary.
Above and Beyond Scholarships
Every year, the Rotary Club of Naperville Scholarship committee is challenged to find the best opportunities to give back to youth who show exceptional potential based on achieved merit. This is a very difficult task, as there are always a large pool of very worthy candidates. The basic criteria for consideration is founded in academics but also includes an aspect of service – remaining true to the ideals of Rotary and Service above Self. Academic excellence is indeed noteworthy, but when accompanied by a sincere devotion and selfless dedication towards the betterment of others, Rotary Club members have the opportunity to reward a youth with going Above and Beyond.
For their academic success as well as their unique service back to the community, two students, both recent Neuqua Valley High School graduates, earned the Above and Beyond $1,000 scholarships. Crystal Chen will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to pursue a degree in chemical engineering. Tushar Dwivedi will attend Harvard University to study neuroscience.
“The scholarship breakfast is one of my favorite Rotary events of the year,” said Rich Stompanato. “It is refreshing to see such a wonderful group of young people who have accomplished so much. Plus, it is important to recognize they have strong goals and ambitions. They’ve done a good job. They are on a good path. They are going to be successful.”
He added enthusiastically, “These young people are our future.”
Rotary Club of Naperville since 1941
The Rotary Club of Naperville is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. Chartered by Rotary International on March 31, 1941, the Rotary Club of Naperville has provided service to the community by helping others. Through the inspired commitment of its members, Rotary provides college scholarships, funding for medical screenings, food pantries, homeless shelters, clean water and health initiatives worldwide, and the most important signature project of our generation, eradicating polio.
Rotary International includes over 34,000 clubs in more than 200 countries. Rotary has 1.2 million members worldwide.
The Rotary Club of Naperville, the first of three currently active Rotary Clubs in Naperville, meets most Thursdays at 12:15PM in the Pavilion at Meson Sabika.
For more information, visit www.napervillerotary.com.
News release and photo submitted by Jini Clare for the Rotary Club of Naperville.
Editor’s Note: Naperville is home to three Rotary Clubs, providing a choice of places for members and interested individuals to connect with service, educational programs and fellowship. Guest fees apply for nonmembers. The Rotary Club of Naperville/Sunrise, chartered in 1991, meets at 7AM most Fridays at Naperville Country Club. The Rotary Club of Naperville/Downtown, chartered in 2007, meets at 4:44PM most Wednesdays at Hugo’s Frog Pond in Main Street Promenade.
