BLACKSBURG – The Rotary Club of Blacksburg has recognized six highly talented MCPS high school seniors for the 2024-2025 school year.
Gunin Kiran, Youth Achievement Committee Chair, introduced the program during the club’s April 3 meeting and said they had received 20 nominations from teachers for the scholarship awards.
“They were amazing nominations and it was hard to select the winners,” Kiran said.
The committee’s selection is based equally on the students’ academic achievements as well as their service and volunteer work in our community. The award includes a $1000 college scholarship to help further their educational studies.
Two students received scholarships for Outstanding Career and Technical Education. Four students were selected for Outstanding Math and Science Education. Kiran either read comments made by the nominating teachers unable to attend or introduced teachers to speak about why they had nominated a student. The committee worked hard to present the day’s program and she thanked all the Rotarians for the work they did choosing the students.
Dr. Bernard Bragen, Jr., Superintendent of Montgomery County Schools, spoke about our great community and the families that support the students. He praised the students that we have in our schools. He thanked the Rotary Club for the money for scholarships and support of the students.
The Outstanding Career and Technical Education awards were given to two students. Will Covey of Eastern Montgomery High School and Logan Roberts of Christiansburg High School were chosen for scholarships. Both young men will focus their future studies on welding.
The Outstanding Math and Science Education awards were given to four students. Maria Addikis and Charlotte Ellis, both from Blacksburg High School received scholarships. Maria will focus on Health Sciences and Charlotte will focus on Kinesiology in their future studies.
Bryson Fisher of Christiansburg High School and Olivia Wilbon of Eastern Montgomery High School were the final two scholarship winners. Bryson will focus on Computer Engineering and Olivia will focus on Neuroscience/Speech Pathology in their future studies.
All of the students were given an opportunity to speak and they all thanked their families and Rotary for the support given to them to continue their educations. Eric Johnsen, Rotary President, presented each student with a certificate and a book dedicated to the student to be placed at the public library. The families of the students and two nominating teachers were there to support the students. It was a pleasure to meet the students and their families at the end of the meeting.
Terri Lynn Howard
Rotary Club of Blacksburg
