To round off a school year that saw them again offering great support to high school students in the area, the Rotary Club of Sammamish recently awarded 11 scholarships to seniors who will be attending college this fall.

This is the fifth year that the club has awarded scholarships and the first year that students from all three Sammamish high schools, Eastlake, Eastside Catholic, and Skyline, were eligible to participate.

“The caliber of this year’s applicant pool was the highest yet, and the committee had an extremely difficult time picking from among so many well-qualified candidates,” said Rotary’s Chris Leyerle, who chaired this year’s selection process.

Each candidate completed an application and was interviewed by a panel of three Rotarians to both clarify and expand on the written application, allowing all candidates an opportunity to communicate their unique interests, accomplishments and personalities

A total of $20,000 was awarded to the well-deserving students.

Funds for the scholarships came from the club’s service projects, including serving burgers at the Summer Nights concerts, and from the Nightmare at Beaver Lake.

Congratulations to the following scholarship recipients.

Marissa Ching plans to study business administration and accounting at USC, building on her strong record in Skyline’s IB Business Program, where her teacher commended her “dedication and high level of aptitude…of the highest level.” Marissa’s many volunteer activities include service at the YMCA and Eastside Baby Corner, as well as representing Key Club at Issaquah Salmon Days.

Abby Christensen will study biomedical engineering in the University of Washington’s Honors Program, a course she charted when she attended the ASM Materials Science Camp and learned how much engineering can advance society and alleviate suffering. She has participated in the YMCA Youth and Government program for five years, and was elected as lieutenant governor. In addition, she has trained four guide dogs for the blind.

Kristin Dorr plans to study education at Seattle University. She has contributed to her community through Athletes for Kids, Special Olympics, Relay for Life, and Youth Sports Camp Director, plus many school activities including ASB Vice-President at Eastlake High School, National, Spanish and Math Honor Societies, and captain of the soccer and tennis teams. She maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school.

Evan Fowler will attend John Hopkins University to study International Studies with an emphasis on Public Health.

His many community involvements include internships with Ecolog International and Northwest Food Bank, participation in the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership program, and student body vice-president at Eastside Catholic High School. He was also named the football team’s scholar athlete.

Connie Kim hopes to pursue an advanced education in biology or chemistry, subjects in which she has shown consistent academic excellence. Connie has been the VP of Skyline’s National Honor Society and is highly involved throughout the community. Says Connie: “Service work has transformed the world in which I live to a place of wonder…I learned that I do not just belong to myself, but that I am a part of the community.”

Jenna Kovalsky’s interests are broad: anthropology, linguistics, communications, and international relations. Jenna’s breadth of interests and talents are reflected not just in her academics, but also in her activities, which include six years as a trained youth soccer referee and membership on the Sammamish Youth Board. We are particularly impressed with her creation of Plateau Post Secret, an innovative web-based participatory community project, undertaken as a self-directed and independent project.

Lummy Lin plans to attend the University of Washington to study nursing or business. Lummy shows both uncommon introspection and a willingness to challenge herself to achieve higher standards.

Commenting on her four years on the Sammamish Youth Board, the City’s coordinator noted how “her personal strength and enthusiasm exemplifies leadership and contributes greatly to the Board’s success.”

Martha Palomino plans to study international business at Seattle University. Martha’s impressive list of volunteer activities includes Key Club, Link Crew, French Club, playing in the Skyline Symphony, competing in track and field and three years of youth basketball coaching. Her teachers describe her in unusually positive terms as “sparkling,” “enthusiastic,” “selfless,” “inquisitive” and “lovely.”

Katherine Purdy will attend either the University of Oregon or Whitman College this fall to study education, nursing, environmental science or religious studies. After graduation she hopes to join the Peace Corps to expand on her already strong ethic of service to others.

Katie established the Skyline Environmental Club, serving as its initial president, and has been active in Girl Scouts and in her church.

Max Sussman has already demonstrated an aptitude for business promotion and plans to study business entrepreneurship. His efforts have benefited the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Sammamish Youth Board and the American Cancer Society. He was nominated for the Teen Spirit SAMMI Award. One lesson in dedication came from training for 10 years to earn his black belt in karate. Max is graduating from Eastlake High School and Community High School of Jewish Studies.

Kelsey Tempel intends to study mathematics at one of several prestigious schools, including Dartmouth, Gonzaga, Wellesley or WSU.

A black belt in karate since seventh grade, Kelsey demonstrates confidence, dedication, and a rare talent to apply lessons from one discipline in pursuit of her goals in another. She has volunteered through the National Honor Society, playing in several music groups, and as an assistant karate instructor.

Academically, Kelsey has taken the hardest courses Skyline offers and yet has earned nothing but ‘A’s.