By Joanne M Anderson
Rotary International has a presence all over the world, and its motto, “Service Over Self,” is exemplified in high ethical standards, volunteering, donating, fund raising and helping others. When the Vocational Service Committee for The Rotary Club of Blacksburg meets to evaluate nominations for annual Outstanding Career & Technical Education Awards, they look for those same positive characteristics in Montgomery County high school seniors.
“In addition to academic achievements, personal character and spirit of service, these kids are busy,” states Tommy Loflin, market president at NewRiver Bank and co-chair of Rotary’s Vocational Service Committee. “They play varsity sports, sing in the choir, serve on student council and as class officers, tutor other students, have part-time jobs, and on and on and on. There are many wonderful teens who are living their lives as we Rotarians try to live ours.”
The Rotary Club of Blacksburg honored 14 recent high school graduates from four Montgomery County high schools with $1,000 scholarships in three categories: Fine Arts, Career and Technical Education, and Math/Science. The money goes straight to the community college or university for the student. “It’s a big expense for us,” Loflin continues, “but it’s a pretty good investment in the future.”
Rotary Scholarship Recipients,
Goal/major, School
Morgan Arrivillaga,
vocal music, James Madison University
Reilly Blevins,
vocal music, American Musical and Dramatic Academy
Eric Chang,
tenor saxophone, Virginia Tech
Laura Foretich,
vocal music, Radford University
Emily Godbey,
visual arts, Virginia Commonwealth University
Logan Helms,
Pediatric Nurse, New River Community College
Alexandria Hunter,
Music therapy, New River Community College
Kallesa Leonard,
Dental Hygienist, New River Community College
Corbin Mathews,
Physician, University of Virginia
Attia Mohamed,
Trauma Surgeon, Radford University
Devin Nowall,
Computer Scientist/programming drones, Virginia Tech
Katherine Saylors,
Physician’s Assistant, New River Community College
Erinn Elizabeth Stephenson,
dance, Virginia Tech
Sean Wilkins,
Biomedical engineering (invent devices for disabled), Virginia Tech
The Cameron Fitzwater Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to four graduating high school seniors in Pulaski County who have participated in activities to which Cameron Fitzwater was dedicated and plan to further their education. It was created to celebrate the life of Cameron Taylor Fitzwater by allowing his life and dreams to live on by helping others pursue their ambition of higher education.
Cameron, who died in 2012 in a one-vehicle accident at the age of 18, enjoyed Boy Scouts (Eagle Scout), choir, drama, track, wrestling, Young Life, kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, camping, swimming, reading, hunting and helping others. He is described by classmates as “driven by the happiness of others” [Maizy Landreth], and “he taught me what a real leader is” [Joseph Shaver]. Other recipients this year note that “he challenged life’s endeavors with a smile and positive mindset” [Tyler Blevins], and “he was able to inspire people to great performances” [Michael Sparta].
Cameron Fitzwater Memorial Scholarship Recipients, College
Tyler Blevins,
Hampden-Sydney College
Maizy Landreth,
Concord College
Joseph Shaver,
Radford University
Michael Sparta,
New River Community College
