The Rotary District 6460 Scholarship committee has announced the recipients for the 2014-2015 scholarships. These scholarships are $4000 for one academic year. The requirements for the scholarship included has a GPA of at least 2.5, has completed at least one year of college, is from a community in District 6460 or has gone to school in District 6460, and is pursuing a program from the six areas of focus for Rotary. Over thirty applicants submitted applications. Six were selected to be interviewed. From those six interviewed the following were identified as recipients:
Michael Berg from Manito, Illinois, attends Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. Michael graduated as valedictorian from Midwest Central Community High School where he was active in sports, musicals, band, and student council. At Wheaton College, where Michael will be a junior, he is double-majoring, and he currently has a 3.76 GPA, having been on the Dean’s list four semesters. Michael’s majors are Christian Education and business. Michael continues to be active in sports, and he has been a starter for basketball for two years. Michael has not determined his final career path since he both loves farming ( especially with his father) and being active in his church. He has participated in mission teams with his basketball team and maintained his activities in his church. He promises the scholarship money will be an investment Rotary will not regret.
Danielle Cole from Girard, Illinois, attends St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. Danielle is a junior majoring in Exercise Science, minoring in Health Information Management. She expects to complete that degree in May 2016. Her sophomore GPA was 3.94. She expects to complete the Doctorate of Physical Therapy in May 2018. While at St. Louis University, Danielle has been a volunteer for the Kappa Alpha Theta Women’s Fraternity. She has served the St. Louis community by volunteering with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Relay for Life. She also has volunteered in a preschool classroom which serves underprivileged children. Danielle has had many job shadowing experiences which have convinced her she wants to be able to help children with with their needs.
Austin Hunter from Jacksonville , Illinois, attends Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. Austin is a sophomore majoring in Marine Science. Austin GPA is 3.82, and he has been on the Dean’s List. While at Eckerd, Austin was part of the Honors Program, and due to his performance in class his freshman year, he has been asked to be a Teacher’s Assistance for the Honors Program during 2014-2015. Austin also has been a student ambassador for Eckerd and hopes to continue this job through his senior year. Austin’s volunteer activities prior to attending college were noteworthy. In addition to helping at camps for children, Austin was an Eagle Scout and went on to earn four Palms after Eagle. He is the most decorated scout in his troop’s history of more than 75 years. Austin’s specific career goals are not finalized, but he “wants to make a difference and to help with the preservation of this, the part of our world that has more to offer than we can ever fully explore.”
Cayley Meiners from Mackinaw, Illinois, attends the College of Coastal Georgia in Brunswick, Georgia. Cayley graduated from Deer Creek Mackinaw High School in Mackinaw, Illinois with a GPA of 4.0, a summa cum Laude graduate. Cayley’s goal is to become a Physician’s Assistant. While in college , in addition to being a major in a pre-professional track, she also is a college athlete. She has noted that the Pre-Medicine program is daunting, but she has learned to balance the hectic schedule by using her time wisely when traveling for games. Cayley’s dedication to helping others was even more important to her after a trip to Kenya for missions work. That trip helped her fully realize her desire to help others in all facets of life. She is determined to making a lasting contribution on the prevention and treatment of disease.
