Not unlike campaigns against smoking and in support of using seat-belts in cars, these campaigns focus clearly on safety and reducing the number of 'accidental' deaths and suicides. If you missed Jessica's presentation, it starts at 32'30" of this video.

Since its inception the Rotary Club of Santa Cruz Sunrise has granted more than $350,000 in scholarships to college-bound high school seniors graduating from Santa Cruz area schools.

This is a competitive program offering achievement and needs-based awards to students planning to attend 2-year and 4-year colleges. Each scholarship is paid in annual increments for either 2 or 4 years and range from $700 per year to $1,000 per year.

We are pleased to announce that 6 scholarship recipients have been announced from this year's large pool of highly qualified applicants. Each will receive $4,000 scholarship awards.

• Caitlyn Taylor (Kirby HS)
  Caitlyn planned, raised thousands of dollars for, and then built gardens so the Boys & Girls Club in Scotts Valley can learn about healthy food. Caitlyn developed a curriculum addressing composting and food waste for middle-school teachers, played several sports, and earned a 4.34 GPA.
• Michelle Cruz-Diaz (SCHS).
  Michelle lives on a farm and puts in 3-4 hours every day with farm chores, feeding the animals, etc. Then there is homework every night to complete. But Michelle kept her grades up, participated in several school activities like fund raising for the Latino Student Union and did math tutoring.
• Maya Hess (Harbor HS)
  Maya is a serious and experienced volleyball player who professes to be tone-deaf and yet became president of a Karaoke singing club. 4.16 GPA. Maya has volunteered in Bay Elementary School classrooms and led elementary students in a science camp.
• TahJiana Lundy (SCHS)
  TahJiana has volunteered in a dozen community organizations such as Teen Kitchen and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. TahJiana is active in school clubs like the Race & Equity Club and the Black Students Union. Work at Whiting Foods and the Tannery Dance Center has also taken significant effort. But TahJiana's real passion is dance – cheerleading, performance dance of all types, teaching dancing, etc.
• Lynda Otero (Soquel HS)
  Lynda has been a leader and participant in organizations and actions addressing social justice, literacy, school politics, and more, all while maintaining a 4.45 GPA
• Kylee Eze (Soquel HS)
  Kyle is involved in advocacy for women of color with the Female Empowerment Club, Multicultural Club, Chicano Empowerment Club, and the Asian Student Union. Not enough? Add the Ecology Club, Fashion & Media Club, Hype Club. Then add varsity volleyball and Track & Field Team. Oh, and a 4.24 GPA.  

In Case You Missed It...

Last week, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society honored their Visionary of the Year, Ken Whiting, who raised $147K for cancer research and prevention.

 

Pedal the Pacific is coming back. There will be a ride on July 11th and a party on the 12th. Watch your email for more details.

 

Be the Difference: Our club was honored to be recognized with a Be the Difference award from the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County. These awards celebrate the individuals, groups, and businesses who do the most to transform Santa Cruz County through volunteerism! We were well represented by a few of our proud members.

 

The May District 5170 Newsletter from District Governor Savita Vaidhyanathan is now online. 

 

Click the image below to learn more about Rotary's Champions of Inclusion and the broadcast premier on June 10th.