2015 Service Above Self Scholarship Award
Posted by Amy Luckiewicz
ANDOVER TEEN AWARDED SERVICE ABOVE SELF AWARD
The Rotary District 7930 has named Shannon Manuel of Andover as the recipient of the 2015 Service Above Self Award, a $10k scholarship to help her pursue higher education. Committee Chair Amy Luckiewicz explained, “We had 17 applicants for this award this year. As President of Andover High School’s Interact Club, Shannon led her classmates in a variety of service projects this year. Her application was compelling but her spirit of volunteerism was tangible when we met her. We congratulate Shannon’s family for instilling such a spirit of giving at a young age.”Manuel credits her well-rounded interests as contributing to her ability to lead. She served as Andover High’s Track and Field Captain and competed in pole vaulting. An avid musician, she was selected to play in the Massachusetts All State Band at Symphony Hall in Boston. She has also served as a basketball and soccer referee, taught swim lessons, and worked at sporting events for the Town of Andover for the past four years. Her future plans include participating in the Wild Dog Triathlon in Bristol, Rhode Island in August.
Manuel is the fifth annual recipient of the award which is open to graduating seniors from any of Rotary District 7930’s towns and cities, encompassing Greater Boston, North Shore, and Southern New Hampshire. The award recognizes an outstanding student who embodies the Rotary motto of “service above self,” within their local or school community. Funds will be presented to Manuel after she completes her first semester as a student in good standing. “Shannon conveyed to us that her service to others is a priority. We’re very glad to recognize her efforts within her community as well as encourage her higher learning,” Luckiewicz noted.
The award is funded through local area donations via the Rotary Foundation. Manuel will be studying biology with a minor in music at Connecticut College in the Fall. She is the second recipient from Andover to receive this competitive award from Rotary.