Rotary Club of Hillsborough President, Rhoda Amini, opened this year’s annual scholarship recognition ceremony Wednesday evening, July 24, by welcoming the 2024 Rotary Scholarship winners and their families to its annual event at The Landing Restaurant in Hillsborough.
Pictured above (left to right) are eight recipients of the 2024 Rotary Club of Hillsborough Scholarship who attended the ceremony:
Ariel Shvetz (Somerset Vo-Tech), Sharabella Jacobs (Immaculata HS), Nicholas Henderson (Hillsborough HS), Maggie Chen (Somerset Vo-Tech), Pallavi Routay (Somerset Vo-tech), Marisa Woodward (Hillsborough HS), Raina James (Hillsborough HS) and Juliania Shyprykevych (Hillsborough HS). Pictured in the rear (L to R) are Rotary Club of Hillsborough President, Rhoda Amini and Amrik Sahota, Chair of the Rotary Scholarship Committee.
Ariel Shvetz (Somerset Vo-Tech), Sharabella Jacobs (Immaculata HS), Nicholas Henderson (Hillsborough HS), Maggie Chen (Somerset Vo-Tech), Pallavi Routay (Somerset Vo-tech), Marisa Woodward (Hillsborough HS), Raina James (Hillsborough HS) and Juliania Shyprykevych (Hillsborough HS). Pictured in the rear (L to R) are Rotary Club of Hillsborough President, Rhoda Amini and Amrik Sahota, Chair of the Rotary Scholarship Committee.
(pictured above) Not present at the ceremony is Rotary Club of Hillsborough Scholarship winner Tanvi Patel (HIllsborough HS)
Not pictured above are Hillsborough HS graduates Eshaan Debnarth, Diana Nejand, Tanvi Pael)
Not pictured above are Hillsborough HS graduates Eshaan Debnarth, Diana Nejand, Tanvi Pael)
Rotary Club of Hillsborough President, Rhoda Amini, opened this year’s annual scholarship recognition ceremony Wednesday evening, July 24, by welcoming the 2024 Rotary Scholarship winners and their families to its annual event at The Landing Restaurant in Hillsborough.
“This is a special evening for the Rotary Club,” commented Ms. Amini. “This is when we recognize the exceptional graduating seniors within the township, whether they attended Hillsborough High School or a high school outside of the township.” Awards were presented by Ms. Amini and Amrik Sahota, Chair of the Scholarships Committee for the club.
Recipients of eight of the eleven scholarships awarded this year were present with their family members to receive the congratulations of Club members, including an award certificate and a letter of congratulations commemorating their accomplishment. Each student had previously received a check for $2,000 from the Club at their school’s scholarship ceremony.
The Rotary Club scholarship awards are based on academic achievement, community service, extracurricular activities, leadership positions, and financial need. Each applicant also had to write an essay on their involvement in community service.
The Rotary Club of Hillsborough 2024 Scholarship Winners:
Hillsborough High School students
- Eshaan Debnath, not present (Dix Skillman Scholarship, Carnegie Mellon University).
- Nicholas Henderson (Fred Quick Scholarship, Catholic University of America).
- Raina James (Michael Merdinger Scholarship, University of Texas at Austin).
- Diana Nejand, not present (Vince Lipani Scholarship, Rutgers University-New Brunswick).
- Tanvi Patel, not present (Vince Lipani Scholarship, Ramapo College).
- Juliania Shyprykevych (Peter Biondi Scholarship, Rutgers University-New Brunswick).
- Marisa Woodward (Academic Achievement Scholarship, Raritan Valley Community College).
Somerset Vo-Tech students
- Maggie Chen (Fred D. Quick Scholarship, Carnegie Mellon University).
- Pallavi Routray (Dix Skillman Scholarship, Rutgers University, New Brunswick).
- Ariel Shvetz (Michael Merdinger Scholarship, Montclair State University).
Immaculata High School
- Sharbella Jacobs (Michael Merdinger Scholarship, Rutgers University, New Brunswick).
Background:
ROTARY SCHOLARSHIPS:
Five of our scholarships are named in honor of the following past Rotary club members who made extraordinary contributions to our community.
SCHOLARSHIPS HONORORING PAST ROTARIANS
A. Dix Skillman (1916 – 2012) – a charter member and first president of the Rotary Club of (Belle Mead) Hillsborough, a Coast Guard veteran and lawyer. He served in many local municipal and volunteer capacities.
Peter J. Biondi (1942 -2011) – served in NJ Assembly, Hillsborough Planning Board and Township Committee, including as mayor. He was an Army veteran.
Fred D. Quick (1931 – 2019) – a life-long Hillsborough resident, served during the “Cold War” and Vietnam Conflict as an Air Force pilot achieving the rank of Colonel. He started HESCO Lighting and served on numerous Township and County commissions over several decades.
Michael Merdinger (1949 – 2016) – a 40-year resident of Hillsborough, member and past president of the Flagtown Fire Department and beloved Township Administrator.
Vince Lipani (1940 – 2021) – an Army veteran who started Central Jersey Nurseries over 50 years ago, served on the Hillsborough Board of Adjustment and served as a Board member of the Rotary Club of Hillsborough. Mr. Lipani had a strong interest in biology so students who are planning to study biological sciences at college will be considered for this scholarship.
ROTARY ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLLARSHIP
This scholarship is supported by the Rotary Club of Hillsborough, but the selection for the scholarship is made by the Director of Special Services for the Hillsborough Township School District.
ABOUT THE ROTARY CLUB OF HILLSBOROUGH
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world's most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at the local, national and international levels, ranging from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world.
The Rotary Club of Hillsborough currently has over 35 active members from Hillsborough and surrounding communities. Members include business and professional leaders and retirees who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. All funds raised by The Rotary Club of Hillsborough are used to support a wide variety of community service organizations and projects. The Rotary Club of Hillsborough meets every first and third Wednesday of the month, at 6:15 pm, at The Landing Restaurant in Hillsborough, New Jersey.