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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The Saratoga Springs Rotary Education Foundation recently awarded $100,000 in scholarships to 15 local students at their 24th annual Scholarship Awards Banquet held at the Skidmore College Murray-Aikins dining hall.
In addition, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) was honored for the organization’s contributions to education. According to a press release, the scholarships given ranged from $5,500 to a Rotary Club of Saratoga Springs Presidential Scholarship of $20,000 given out over four years. Scholarship winners were unaware of their scholarship amount until they were called to the podium to accept their award.
Schools represented included Saratoga Springs High School, Saratoga Central Catholic High School and WSWHE BOCES.
Beth Post, President of the Saratoga Springs Rotary Education Foundation, extended a welcome to all attendees on behalf of the foundation. She congratulated the scholarship winners and SPAC, noting, “The Foundation is successful because of the generosity of people in the Saratoga Springs community – businesses and individuals, who have made contributions to benefit students.”
Dennis Moench, Vice President of Education for SPAC, accepted the award on behalf of SPAC. He spoke about SPAC’s free education programs which offer more than 1500 classes and events each year. SPAC partners with 120 schools and nonprofit organizations, reaching 50, 000 students in the Capital Region and Adirondacks to provide arts access.
He spoke of the transformative communal experiences of art. He urged the scholarship winners to “stay curious and stay creative.” SPAC gave each student two tickets for admission to a classical performance this summer.
State Sen. James Tedisco (R,C-Ballston Lake) praised the students for their hard work and dedication to their community. He also congratulated SPAC for its vital role in promoting the arts in the entire region. Each student, as well as SPAC, received a citation certificate from Tedisco lauding their efforts.
The winner of the Presidential Scholarship was Elaina Jacob who will attend University at Buffalo to major in Biomedical Sciences. Jacob gave an impassioned thank you after receiving the scholarship. She told the attendees that she was born in Syria, escaped the war with her family and was grateful to be in the United States pursuing her dream of going to college.
The other 14 scholarship winners are:
• Bianca Babcock, with plans to attend RPI, Scott Krulcik Memorial Scholarship
• Rosemeen Bhattal, with plans to attend SUNY Adirondack, Charles V. Wait Sr. Scholarship
• Andre Culpepper-Wehr, with plans to attend Colby College, George H. W. Pierce Scholarship
• Sandra Fierros-Garcia, with plans to attend SUNY Adirondack, The Joseph and Anne Palamountain Memorial Scholarship
• McKenna Malloy, with plans to attend University of Connecticut, Jane A. Wait Endowed Scholarship
• Reilly McCormack, with plans to attend LeMoyne College, Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Scholarship
• Naomi Molina-Roman, with plans to attend Hudson Valley Community College, Newman “Pete” Wait Sr. Memorial Scholarship
• Taylor Morgan, with plans to attend SUNY Oneonta, The Philly Dake Memorial Endowed Scholarship
• Madelyn Nolan, with plans to attend Rutgers University, Florence Andresen Memorial Scholarship
• Jalen Pearsall, with plans to attend SUNY Albany, Don Lee Scholarship
• Gabriel Sherwin, with plans to attend Siena College, H. Gerow & J. McLukie Memorial Scholarship
• Noelle Slye, with plans to attend Kutztown University, Edward A. Lenz Scholarship
• Bin Traeger, with plans to attend SUNY Stonybrook, James and Carryl Cudney Scholarship
• Talia Winters, with plans to attend Bates College, William C. Young Scholarship
Established in 1997, the Saratoga Springs Rotary Education Foundation raises funds to support the post-secondary education and vocational training of graduates from public and private high schools in the greater Saratoga community. Students’ academic performance, extracurricular and work activities, community service, and financial need are all considered when reviewing applications.
The Saratoga Springs Rotary Education Foundation invests in the potential of students through scholarship, further enriching the Saratoga community. Each year, the Foundation receives funds from both the Saratoga Springs Rotary Club and private donors. This year, for the Centennial Anniversary of the Saratoga Springs Rotary Club, the foundation awarded $100,000 due to the generous support of $12,000 in extra award funds from an anonymous donor and individual gifts.
For more pictures from the event and information about the Foundation, visit www.rotaryscholarships.org.
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