PRESS RELEASE, WILSONVILLE, OREGON, June 18, 2014 — The Rotary Club of Wilsonville, through its nonprofit Wilsonville Rotary Foundation, has awarded college scholarships to three 2014 graduates of Wilsonville High School.

The scholarships, at $2,500 each, were funded with proceeds from the recent, Rotary-produced Heart of Gold Celebration and First Citizen Awards Banquet, which was held on March 15, 2014. The proceeds may be used at any accredited institute of higher learning of the recipient’s choosing. The awards were based on academic achievement, community involvement and need, in addition to other qualifications specific to each award.

“These are outstanding graduates and truly deserving,” said outgoing Club Foundation Chairman Jake McMichael. “It is an honor to be able to help support their college dreams, and it is only possible because of the hard work of Rotarians and the generous support of Wilsonville residents and businesses through our annual Heart of Gold Celebration.”

All three recipients achieved a grade point average above 4.0 by taking Advanced Placement coursework, and participated in a variety of activities and community service projects. The three scholarship winners are as follows:

  • John Wysock Memorial Scholarship — Kierra Rowan. This scholarship, named for former Wilsonville Rotary President John Wysock, is awarded based on community service. Kierra served as Associated Student Body president at WHS during her senior year and has volunteered in many capacities in the community, including with the Wilsonville Food Bank and as a volunteer tutor. She was a member of National Honor Society. She plans to attend the University of Oregon.
  • Ralph Fronville Memorial Scholarship — Jessica Small. This scholarship, named for former Wilsonville Rotarian Ralph Fronville, is awarded for interest in international studies. Jessica served on the Student Council at Wilsonville High School and helped expand the WHS canned food drive into a community drive involving all local schools. She was a member of National Honor Society. Jessica plans to attend Brigham Young University, where she will study nursing. While a student there, she plans to spend time overseas helping to improve the medical care in third world countries.
  • Wilsonville Rotary Foundation Scholarship — Mary Roberts. This scholarship is awarded based on merit and need. Mary has volunteered with the G3 project at Grace Chapel, as an Outdoor School counselor, with the Kiwanis Kids Fun Run, and on several cleanup projects. Mary will attend Montana State University, where she will study engineering.

About the Rotary Club of Wilsonville
The Rotary Club of Wilsonville was founded in 1975 and has 40 members. It is part of Rotary International, the largest volunteer-based service organization in the world. Wilsonville Rotary’s projects include Through A Child’s Eyes, the annual Heart of Gold Celebration, the yearly Wilsonville Rotary Summer Concerts, and the signature Wilsonville Rotary Omelet Breakfasts to raise money for local schools and feed local volunteers. The club also leads and supports different international service projects every year. The club meets every Thursday at noon at Al Kader Shrine Center in Wilsonville, and visitors are welcome. For more information, log on to www.wilsonvillerotary.com, or email info@wilsonvillerotary.com.

About Rotary
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work impacts lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit www.Rotary.org.

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Contacts:
• Wilsonville Rotary Foundation Chairman Jake McMichael, jakemcmichael@centurytel.net
• Rotary Club of Wilsonville Director of Public Relations Curt Kipp, curtek@gmail.com