The Henderson Rotary Club invites high school seniors in Vance County to apply for one of three $2,500 scholarships that will be awarded in mid-May.
Seniors, take note: spend a few minutes filling out a little background information and then focus on the all-important essay. The application package is due no later than 12 noon on Friday, May 5 and can be dropped off or emailed to D. Rix Edwards, who is overseeing the scholarship process for the local club.
High school seniors interested in taking part should contact their guidance counselors or other school administrators to get details; home schoolers also are welcome to submit applications, Edwards said.
Rotary Clubs across the world adhere to the motto “Service Above Self” and that is the focus of the essay, said Edwards, who joined John C. Rose on Tuesday’s TownTalk.
Specifically, the question reads: “How is the motto of the Rotary Club, ‘Service above Self,’ evident in your life, and how will you continue to uphold this motto through college and beyond?”
The essay should include the applicant’s interpretation of the motto, as well as specific examples that demonstrate how he or she already has put service before self and how they plan to continue do so in the future.
There is no minimum or maximum length for the essay, but Edwards said clarity of writing, good spelling and punctuation are critical components.
A panel of Rotary Club members will review the essays and will select the three winners, Edwards said.
“I gather all the applications and redact names, school names – anything that could be used as a personal identifier,” Edwards explained, “to ensure there is no preference or appearance of preference given to anyone” and to have all applicants on a level playing field.
The Henderson Rotary Club celebrated its 100th anniversary last year, and it prides itself in being a good community partner. The club sponsors a raffle during the annual Show, Shine, Shag and Dine festival each year, which serves as a major fundraiser for programs, including the scholarships.
Edwards invites anyone interested in learning more about Rotary to contact him at 252.438.4134. The group meets each Tuesday at 6 p.m. for dinner at the Henderson Country Club. The current president is Greg Etheridge of Gupton Services.
The scholarship applications can be emailed to redwards@sszlaw.net,mailed or delivered to Edwards’s law office, Stainback, Satterwhite & Zollicoffer, PLLC, 115 N. Garnett St., Henderson, NC 27536.
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