San Mateo Rotarians have been busy evaluating scholarship applications and interviewing those who made the initial cut. Thanks to the crew depicted in the above photo who gave up evening time this past Monday and Wednesday to interview the candidates.
Thanks also to the following individuals who served as Rotarian Mentors, reviewing their assigned student's application, meeting with the student and their parents, and then introducing them to the Interview Committee. This year's Rotarian Mentors included: Ed Barberini, Bruce Bean, Sheila Canzian, Shawn DeLuna, Barbara Evers, Ray Iverson, Jonathan King, Rod Linhares, Jeff Lowenstein, Lisa Taner, Tony Villanueva, Bill Walters, and Gary White. Thanks to one & all!
Making the Scholarship Dollars Stretch!
San Mateo Rotarians learned at Thursday's meeting $72,000 has been awarded for 4-year college scholarships and $26,000 for those heading to community college.
Following the meeting, Jeff, Tom, Cheryl & Tony stayed on at the Yacht Club to continue working on allocating scholarship funds. Hope they finished up before Happy Hour!
Many thanks to Co-Chairs Jeff Lowenstein, Sheila Canzian & Cheryl Angeles for all their work on shepherding the Club through Scholarship Season - from launching the Scholarship Club to working with the schools to gather applications to selecting Rotarian Mentors to interviewing the applicants. Thanks also to all the Rotarians who contributed the funds that make the scholarships possible.
Now comes the best part - meeting the students at the annual Scholarship Luncheon on May 22nd! You won't want to miss it!
AN INSPIRING VIGNETTE
Sheila shared a story about a graduating senior who wants to join the California Highway Patrol. The student understands she doesn't need a college degree to become a CHP Officer, but said she was committed to attending a 4-year university before joining the CHP.
Why?
Because she will be the first person in her family to attend college and receive a college diploma!
A perfect example of how inspiring it can be to interview the students who are seeking scholarship assistance. As Jeff noted in his announcement to the Club about awarding almost $100,000 in scholarships this year, "It renews your faith in today's youth."
tom stucker's wise words
For his Thought-of-the-Day, Tom shared a recent experience where he endured sharp pains when anything touched the side of his face - a pillow, the wind, his razor. In March he had a remarkable surgical procedure that involved moving an artery off of a nerve to alleviate the pain.
The good news? He woke up from surgery pain-free!
His message: "Never, ever give up hope!"
Thank you, Tom. We're glad this Thought-of-the-Day had such a happy ending!
stepping up!
Nicole Cherok discovered that the President's Club hasn't secured (would that be nabbed?) enough members.
So, Nicole volunteered to join the President's Club in honor of President Joan who has been such a stellar leader this year.
President Joan graciously thanked Nicole.
Perhaps there are others of you out there who haven't yet joined the President's Club who would like to follow Nicole's example? President Joan would be thrilled, so let her know.
Laura Parmer-Lohan
With thanks to Arlene Kace for securing Laura Parmer-Lohan, Executive Director of San Mateo NAMI, as this past week's speaker.
Laura shared her personal experience with a family member who struggled with mental health issues. Laura found NAMI to be extremely helpful as she moved through her new role as caregiver.
Laura said 1 in 20 people in the United States will have a mental health issue which means fam-
ily members will need to play an important role in supporting the affected individual.
