Edmond Rotary Club honored four senior students with a $2,000 scholarship each recently.

The club honored Santa Fe students Annamarie Jiwa and Travis Christensen, Tessa Goetz of Memorial and Aubrey Haas of North High school.

Tessa Goetz has a great love of the arts with young children. She served as an art instructor to elementary students at the Fine Arts Institute of Edmond, and she submitted her artwork for sale at an auction which benefited Limbs for Life. She has been a Youth Volleyball coach at the Y, helped a church in Louisville, KY repair dilapidated homes, and sponsored the education of a 9-year-old Filipino girl. And she is a leader – co-creating a charity project for Memorial’s DECA classes to collect hundreds of clothing donations for Cross and Crown Church, just to name a few.

Travis Christensen’s middle name is leadership. He is co-editor of the Santa Fe student newspaper, First Christian junior deacon, recipient of Kiwanis Leadership Camp Scholarship, Youth Group leadership team and Varsity Tennis team. He has volunteered at: Breakfast on Boulevard outreach program for 100 homeless and poverty-stricken; and Tiger Club tutoring program of Central Middle School kids at First Presbyterian; and Jesus House; and distributed free school supplies to needy families in Edmond.

Annamarie Jiwa has a goal, and she plans to achieve it. Thus far, she’s accomplished McDonald’s crew trainer, Character Counts recipient, 1st place in DECA state contest in entrepreneurship; Founder and president of the Santa Fe German Club, leadership role in Heather Harkness Memorial events, and selectee for United Methodist Young Women’s Leadership Conference. Her junior year, she moved to Washington State to care for her critically ill uncle. It was difficult to leave friends and family. But, she quickly got involved in the community and school, and became a leader and tutor at Kids Kamp.

Aubrey Haas is a care-giver, not just in title, but in character. During times when her mother must stay for long periods at her stepfather’s side in the hospital, Aubrey cares for her five younger siblings, ages 2-13. She is a leader: North Senior Class president, junior class VP, show choir social chair, Freshman mentor, and is a LifeChurch student leader. Of his former student, David Nichols, Ida Freeman elementary school chess team teacher adviser, says, “She has the rare combination of inspiration, empathy, drive and creativity that only an old teacher can see in a young one,” as Aubrey plans to follow suit.

The scholarships are awarded annually and a good portion of the selection is based on community service. For more information, "Like us on our Edmond Oklahoma Rotary Club Facebook Page.