11 students win LFP Rotary scholarships

(back row, left to right): Nick Cowan; Maureen Penner; Katherine Scannell-Daniel; Megan Opfer; Sarah Kaino; Jade Lau; Karissa Lam. (front row, left to right): Keelie Frisk; Olivia Brockhaus; Sophia Ziliak. Elizabeth Holmdahl  (not pictured) was at the State golf tournament.

The Rotary Club of Lake Forest Park hosted an event to honor Scholarship recipients from the class of 2016 on Wednesday, May 25.

Each student was evaluated by the committee on the basis of their academic strengths and achievements, including honors and Advanced Placement courses; their commitment to the service of various local and worldwide community concerns and endeavors and their leadership qualities in school.

They each submitted an essay on Rotary’s philosophy “ What Service Above Self Means to Me”.

Each recipient received a certificate of award and a check for $1000.

The scholarship recipients, the school they will attend, and their major course of study:

• Nick Cowan, UW, Civil Engineering
• Maureen Penner, Pamplin School of Business, University of Portland
• Katherine Scannell-Daniel, UW, History and Law
• Megan Opfer, Gonzaga, General
• Sarah Kaino Chapman, Theatre and Communication
• Jade Lauw, SCC, Political Science
• Karissa Lam,  University of Pennsylvania, Nursing
• Keelie Frisk, SCC, Dance
• Olivia Brockhaus, WSU, Pre-Vet
• Sophia Ziliak, UW, Law Enforcement
• Elizabeth Holmdahl, Wharton College, University of Pennsylvania, Economics/ Finance 

Many of their family members were in attendance for this celebration. Parents were acknowledged as their student’s first and most important teachers and supporters through their growing years.

Rotarian Marjorie Ando challenged them to continue their lives with open minds (listening, questioning, thinking critically); open hearts (with tolerance and for all ), and open hands (joined together to spread humanity).

The Scholarship Committee members this year were Marjorie Ando, Ed Pearson, and James Rohrback. They each introduced and talked about many of the students’ achievements.

The students, in turn, told the group about their anticipation and expectations for their college goals and life experiences.

Jim Rohrback then closed with the following remarks:

TO PARENTS and FAMILY:
Look around you today. You will see here, 50 of your most vigorous and dynamic neighbors. If a corner of your heart speaks softly to you, “Something more…”, then, please come and look into our Rotary Club and its activities. It may be your best choice in years.

TO THE GRADUATING SENIORS:
We have confidence in you. You are in a very exciting time of your young life. You will now spend time in an institution of higher learning with other scholars, and with professors who are experts in their specialty and who love their areas of study.

Appropriate to commencing university studies, I quote two philosophers: Maimonides, (1135 - 1204), “You must accept the truth from whatever source it comes" and from Mahatma Gandhi (1869 - 1948), "Live as if you were to die tomorrow; learn as if you were to live forever. Happiness happens when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." 

We Rotarians have confidence in you and believe in you as the future leaders of the World. 

Please return to let us know about the progress in your lives as it will restore and inspire us in our continuing service.