Scholarship recipients (fom left) Samantha Koruzo, Lei’Azia Rich, Kai Jones, Connor Evans, Ava Bradley and Zylan Abriola-Sims gathered May 1 at the Monroeville Public Library’s Elaine Biondi Gallery Space to receive their scholarship awards from Monroeville Rotary.
Monroeville Rotary recently awarded $1,000 scholarships to six Gateway High School seniors based on a variety of factors, including merit, financial need, community service, academics and written essay.
Connor Evans plays hockey and bocce, is a member of Chick-fil-A Leader Academy and InterAct Club and has a 3.64 GPA. Evans works part-time at Pure Hockey and plans to study business at Robert Morris University, where he also will play hockey.
Zylan Abriola-Sims has been taking morning classes at the University of Pittsburgh since August, then attends Gateway in the afternoon. She is studying criminal justice and psychology.
Abriola-Sims thanked school counselor Colleen Tortorella and Principal Justin Stephans for helping her along the way, as wells as her parents.
“They reminded me what love, strength and perseverance looks like,” she said.
Samantha Koruzo has a 3.95 GPA and plans to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania for biochemistry.
“I specifically want to thank my parents — my mom for teaching me to be brave and my dad for teaching me to volunteer my time,” Koruzo said.
Ava Bradley will be attending CCAC’s Boyce Campus in the fall for early childhood education. Bradley has a 3.56 GPA and was on the honor roll every semester this year.
“This isn’t just about the money,” Bradley said. “It’s also validation. This scholarship is a blessing.”
Lei’Azia Rich, a member of the Chick-fil-A Leader Academy who also works at Mission BBQ. Rich plans to study medical stenography and will be attending CCAC’s Boyce Campus.
“I realized I wanted to do something to help people,” Rich said.
Kai Jones has played the trumpet in the marching band for five years and is first chair in jazz band. He is a member of the InterAct Club and has accumulated 130 community service hours.
Jones, who moved to the U.S. from Britain at age 3, will attend Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics. He was inspired by his grandfather, who was in the military and worked in aviation.
Rotary has a competitive process for the scholarships. According to committee member Susan Frazier Delaney, 119 students applied. The committee had difficulty narrowing the list down to 26 students, who were then interviewed by the rotary, when the final six recipients were chosen.
“We just want the friends and families and the recipients to know that we support and appreciate you,” Delaney said.
Many Rotary members said the scholarship awards are one of their favorite events of the year.
“This is your first step – well, maybe your second or third step – in your journey of life,” said Rotarian Tim Little, who is a retired educator. “When you can see students succeed, you can see the future.”
Gateway Superintendent Guy Rossi, whose youngest son is graduating high school this month, addressed the audience in attendance for the ceremony at Monroeville Public Library’s Elaine Biondi Gallery Space.
“The rotary does a great job working with the school and our students,” he said. “Good luck in your future endeavors.”
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