Rotary Club awards scholarships

Published 9:51 pm Saturday, June 2, 2018

The Suffolk Rotary Club recently awarded 10 college scholarships to two students from each of Suffolk’s five high schools.

Schools selected the students and submitted them to the Rotary Club. The scholarships were presented at the Rotary Club’s regular 1 p.m. luncheon meeting on May 17 at the Suffolk Elks Lodge, where each recipient spoke briefly about his or her future plans.

The criteria for the award included an overall academic average of B or better, involvement in service activities at school and in their community and demonstration of the Rotary motto and the ideals of the Rotary “Four-Way Test.” Recipients also could not be the child or grandchild of a current Suffolk Rotary Club member and were required to submit an essay on the importance of community service.

Email newsletter signup

Marcus Ramos of King’s Fork High School is an honor roll member and Suffolk Youth Advisory Council member. He was secretary of the Future Business Leaders of America, team captain of the cross country team and in several positions in his church, First Baptist Church Mahan Street, including a volunteer for the audio recording ministry and member of the youth choir and mime ministry. He volunteered in the health fair and as a National Night Out judge. He will attend Hampton University.

Kiara Steele of King’s Fork High School was a member of the National Honor Society and JROTC, participated in the Student Council Association, the soccer team and the track and field team and received Cadet of the Quarter. She participated in the Suffolk Holiday Parade, a campus improvement project, logistics support at a 5K run, volunteered for freshman orientation and participated in Suffolk United for Children and March of Dimes. She will attend Virginia Commonwealth University.

Hunter Rawls of Lakeland High School earned academic varsity letters for three years and all-conference honors in volleyball and soccer. He was a volunteer at the hospital, worked with the church youth group and helped the elderly. He will attend East Carolina University.

Mia Williams of Lakeland High School is an honor roll student, Student Council Association treasurer, Rho Kappa member, DECA Marketing Club member and community restoration team member. She has volunteered with the Salvation Army, Impact Suffolk, Suffolk Parks and Recreation summer program and the LEAP program. She will attend Old Dominion University.

Tara Grady of Nansemond River High School was an academic honor roll honoree, three year varsity letterman, golf team member, National Honor Society member and a Girl Scout Silver Award and Girl Scout Gold Aware honoree. She was a 2018 National Young Women of Distinction nominee, a Hampton Roads Outstanding Youth volunteer and Tourette Association of America Youth Ambassador. She will attend the University of Kentucky.

Dylan Linebarger of Nansemond River High School was deputy corps commander of the Air Force JROTC, serving as second in command of all 142 cadets. He was awarded the Air Force Association Medal and will attend Tidewater Community College.

Mitchell Hynes of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy has been lead programmer for the robotics team, president of the Saints Broadcasting Network and has maintained high honors from sophomore through senior year. He has done volunteer work for the school, working in the technology department three to four hours daily during this school year. He will attend Virginia Tech.

Katelyn Lutz of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy has been a class officer, a member of the Haiti Awareness Club, French Club president and varsity soccer captain. She was in the National Honor Society, an AP Scholar with Honor and nominated for Girls State. She participated in track, soccer, field hockey and basketball. She has volunteered with ForKids and the Broad Street United Methodist food pantry. She will attend the University of Virginia.

Courtney Hayes of Suffolk Christian Academy has been a class officer all four years, involved in the Interact Club, the Helping Hands Club and the Operation Smile Club. She participated in volleyball, tennis and cheerleading and was a manager for girls’ basketball. She has been a nursery worker and Vacation Bible School leader at her church, First Baptist Church Suffolk. She has been on multiple missions trips and participated in community outreach. She will attend Palm Beach Atlantic University.

Eva Waddell of Suffolk Christian Academy was involved in the Beta Club, Interact Club, Student Government Association, homecoming committee and more. She played varsity soccer, volleyball, basketball and cheerleading. She has been on several missions trips and volunteered as a member of the Goober Gang during Peanut Festival, as a soccer camp coach, set up for and served for luncheons and dinners at the academy and delivered Thanksgiving dinners. She will attend Bluefield College.