During the June 16, 2020, Salem Rotary Club Zoom meeting, the Club awarded $46,000 in scholarships to recognize and reward students who contribute to and make a difference in their home, school and community at large, and who are likely to continue to do so in the future. Many students and their families joined the Club for this virtual celebration where 23 Salem seniors were honored.
“This was an unusual year for our scholarship committee with all committee meetings, application reviews and student interviews being conducted virtually,” noted Club President Mike McLaughlin. “However, this is one of the most rewarding activities our Club does each year. We were not going to allow COVID-19 to take this opportunity away from the deserving youth in our community.”
Three different types of scholarships were awarded: the general Salem Rotary Club Scholarship, the Robert P. “Buck” Alexander, D.M.D. Merit Scholarship, and the newly created Salem Rotary Club Career and Technical Education (CTE) Scholarship.
Typically, a number of applicants receive a Salem Rotary Scholarship, while only two applicants (one male, one female) will receive the Robert P. “Buck” Alexander Merit Scholarship. For these two scholarships, students must have participated in volunteer activities in service of others, not just for a one-day project or walk, but on a regular basis throughout their high school years. Extracurricular activities play a deciding role as well, as do other criteria. All students should be a role model or have contributed and made a difference in the lives of other students and community members.
The newly introduced Salem Rotary Club CTE Merit Scholarships were presented to 6 Salem High School seniors, in each of the high schools CTE programs. Students are proposed by their teachers based on their participation in the CTE program (minimally 900 hours of classes completed), their post-secondary plans, and need.
The Salem Rotary Club congratulates all students in the Class of 2020 and wishes them all success in their future endeavors, be it in college or in their respective career choices.