Rotary Club of Walla Walla News Release                                                 June 16, 2020

Marking the thirteenth year of the Rotary Club of Walla Walla scholarship awards is an associated new mentorship program.  Initiated this spring by the club scholarship committee, the program will involve active mentoring of each scholarship recipient by a selected Rotarian. 

“A trained mentor will help the high school student prepare for entering college and be supportive through to graduation.  The role for the mentor is to help the student navigate the academic process--which could include completing a college application or a financial aid application; registering for classes; or acquiring study skills.  Mentors will also outline the different college or university resource personnel and programs designed to aid incoming students,” noted Rotarian Curt Nelson.

This year seven senior students were selected from their respective schools to be recipients of $1,000 Rotary academic scholarship.  Annually the club grants an award to one student from each area high school that selects an eligible recipient.    

There is no traditional scholarship application process. The students who receive the Rotary club scholarships are all selected by their teachers, counselors, or administrators of their schools.  The following criteria are used for the selection process:  scholastic ability and progress, financial need, and personal challenges overcome.  The main focus is on their potential and future goals.

Recipients of the 2020 Rotary scholarships are:

Niel Wright, College Place High School; Wendy Vargas, DeSales High School; Marley Ahler, Waitsburg High School; Kylee Roberts, Lincoln High School; Gabriel Torres, Walla Walla Valley Academy; Dominic Solis, Touchet High School; and Reese Fewell, Walla Walla High School.

Walla Walla Noon Rotary Club meets on-line Thursdays at noon via Zoom and is live streamed on Facebook.  The program features a community interest program, discussion of service, and club fellowship.  For more details, contact club president Jan Corn at impresssalon@gmail.com or online see ubne.ws/2qPsr6T or on Facebook ubne.ws/2q4sj6a.