Scholarship Recipients gathered for a group photo after a highly successful Awards Luncheon at Coyote Point on May 22nd. The smiles tell the story!
Over $100,000 was awarded to this year's 29 honorees who have attended Aragon, Hillsdale, San Mateo, and Serra High Schools, and the College of San Mateo.
10 students received Community College Scholarships, including 1 John KellyScholar, and 2 Huening FamilyScholars.
19 students received 4-Year College Scholarships, including 1 Norton Scholar and 1 Tom Thompson Scholar.
Six recipients participated in the San Mateo Rotary SMART Program all the way through their high school careers.
With Thanks to the Rotarian Scholarship Committees for Making It All Possible
Kudos to the 4-Year College Scholarship Committee expertly co-chaired by Sheila Canzian, Jeff Lowenstein and Bill Walters. Committee members included Bruce Bean, Barbara Evers, Shawn De Luna, Ray Iverson, Rod Linhares, Kitty Lopez, Lisa Taner, Tony Villanueva, and Gary White.
Thanks also to the Community College Scholarship Committee capably co-chaired by Cheryl Angeles and Jeff Lowenstein. Committee members included: Barbara Evers, Martin Harband, Tom Huening, Ray Iverson, Jonathan King, Rod Linhares, Lisa Diaz Nash, Lisa Taner, Tony Villanueva and Bill Walters.
After all the awards had been distributed, Jeff concluded the program with words of wisdom, urging this outstanding group of young people to "Take this all in and enjoy every moment! This is a special time in your life!"
With thanks to Lisa Diaz Nash & Peter Webb for contributing photos to this week's Spinnings.
A creative balloon arrangement greeted guests as they climbed the stairs up to the luncheon venue. Congrats were definitely in order for this accomplished and inspirational group of scholarship recipients.
Gemma Victoria Gibeault, graduating from CSM this month and heading to San Jose State University in the Fall to study Opera Performance, provided a beautiful musical interlude to introduce the day's festivities. Not sure if opera has ever been part of a Rotary Luncheon before, but Gemma's performance was spectacular!
Family members thoroughly enjoyed the chance to share in their students' success! Cerue Richards and her dad had great seats not only for enjoying lunch, but also for viewing the program. Cerue will be using her scholarship to continue her studies at the College of San Mateo. Her dad is justifiably proud of her academic accomplishments!
Sheila Canzian kicked off the program and noted how this year's Scholars are an exceptional group. She wished them well on the next leg of their academic journeys and then presented the Four Year Scholarship Awards.
Peter Webb introduced Robert Wolfgramm from Serra High School who was one of the student speakers. Robert is the first recipient of the Robert "Bo" Whitehill Scholarship, established by the Whitney Family in honor of Bo, a devoted and long-time Rotarian who passed away last year.
Each Scholar was invited to the podium to receive a certificate of honor and a congrats handshake as proud parents positioned themselves to take the perfect photo to commemorate the event. Jeff Lowenstein and Sheila Canzian shared presentation duties and helped each recipient feel special and honored.
President Joan welcomed
Stefany Guadalupe Carrillo from Hillsdale High. Stefany received the first Nate Rosas Scholarship, intended to support a student who will be pursuing a career in education. President Joan devoted many years to her own educational career. The scholarship was established by the Club in memory of Nate Rosas, President Joan's grandson who died earlier this year.
Pictured above are Lori Whitney,
Bob Whitehill (Bo's son), Robert Wolfgramm, David Whitney, and Peter Whitney. The Whitney Family worked with Bo Whitehill as fellow investors at Morgan Stanley. They created the new scholarship to honor Bo and his commitment to financially supporting students heading to college.
With balloons blowing vigorously in the wind, Sheila and Jeff are all smiles, concluding many months of work in making the 2025 Rotary Scholarships come to life in the hands of deserving students. Kudos & thanks to Jeff & Sheila for all their hard work and a job well done!
THIS WEEK'S SPEAKER
Oliver Wang
Founder, Runbuk
Fellow San Mateo Rotarian
World Marathon Challenge - 7 Marathons on 7 Continents in 7 Days!
