e-Edition
Sign up for email newsletters
Sign up for email newsletters
e-Edition
Trending:
Seven graduating seniors recently received scholarships from Sterling Rotary Club. Three of the grads will get scholarships for attending Northeastern Junior College and four are receiving funding from the Marcia Luce Scholarship Fund to attend the college of their choice.
Brennan Welsh, who already has attended NJC classes, said he hasn’t yet decided on a major when he begins classes in the fall. Brennan was a three-sport letterman at Sterling high school, playing football, basketball and baseball for the Tigers. He received a $1,500 award.
In recommending Brennan for the scholarship, SHS ag teacher and FFA advisor Whitney Reed wrote that Brennan has shown tremendous growth over his years in high school to become “one of my most reliable students.”
“Brennan … will excel in any academic or professional endeavor he chooses to pursue,” Reed wrote. “His determination, empathy, respect, strong work ethic and unwavering kindness make him a standout individual who will undoubtedly leave a positive mark on my institution he becomes a part of.”
Gerardo Abarca also received a $1,500 scholarship. Gerardo was a National honor Society member since middle school and participated in Esports and Sterling High Art Club throughout high school. He intends to major in Business at NJC. He highlighted his academic achievements at SHS, pointing to his 3.948 GPA, and his selection for NJC Dean’s Honor Roll in Fall Semester 2023.
Gerardo has worked to raise funds for a variety of SHS organizations, tutored his peers and volunteered for myriad tasks to help others in the community. He said the scholarship funds are especially helpful since his family has two youngsters in college.
Ellee Sonnenberg received a $750 scholarship. She plans to earn a degree in ag business at NJC and then enter the workforce. A member of Chamrocks 4H Club, she served as president of the club for three years. In high school she also was a four-year member of FFA and served one year as Sentinel. In her application letter, Ellee described herself as “a hardworking young woman … dedicated to this community.”
“It is my joy to help other exhibitors at the Logan County Fair with their animals or setting up their stuff for the fair,” she wrote. “I especially love to help the younger kids in 4H and FFA.”
The Rotarians also handed out four Marcia Luce Memorial Scholarships.
Caliche graduate Aaliah Jones of Iliff received a $1,500 award. She was named to National Honor Society two years and played first chair cello for the school orchestra for all four years. She was valedictorian of her graduating class and named to Superior Honor Roll.
Aaliah plans to study political science at Colorado State University, with emphasis on U.S. government, law and policy.
Karsyn Huss of Iliff received a $750 scholarship, which she will use to study elementary education at Chadron State College in Nebraska. While at Caliche High School, Karsyn participated in FBLA for two years and was named to National Honor Society.
Twin sisters Audrey and Ava Reeves each received $750 Luce scholarships.
Audrey plans to attend McCook Community College to study science. She listed her extracurricular activities as extensive involvement in First Presbyterian Church, serving two years as deacon. She also played softball and track all four years for Sterling High School.
Ava will be studying psychology at Colorado Mesa University. She, too, has been deeply involved at First Presbyterian, including one year as deacon and one year as an elder. While at Sterling High she participated in softball, track, golf, basketball and volleyball for the Tigers.
The Luce Scholarships are named after Sterling native and long-time educator Marcia Luce, who served the RE-1 Valley School District and the Sterling community in many ways throughout her adult life. She was the first woman to join the Sterling Rotary Club and, two years later, became its first woman president.
Copyright © 2024 MediaNews Group
