The Westfield Lions Club presented eight Westfield High School seniors with scholarships totaling $13,000 during the annual Scholarship Awards Night May 1.
Ava Britton-Heitz was awarded a $2,000 Florence Benson Memorial Scholarship. Florence Benson was a well-respected and long-serving family and consumer science teacher at WHS, according to the Lions Club. She was the wife of Lion Bob Benson and mother of Lion Rodney Benson. The Benson scholarship winners are selected based on their involvement in community service — the key mission of Lions Clubs International.
The Lester Tudor Memorial Scholarship, established to honor a former principal at WHS in the 1950s and an active member of the Lions Club, was awarded to Maryn Babb. The Tudor scholarship winner is based on community service involvement.
Two Service Over Self Club scholarships were awarded to Mia Gordeau and Layla Ryan. The students went above and beyond with their involvement in the club and serving others, according to the club. The Westfield Lions have worked closely with the S.O.S. Club since its inception during the pandemic.
The Trade and Vocational Scholarship and the Don Russel Career Development Scholarship are awarded to students interested in pursuing degrees and certifications at schools other than traditional colleges and universities. The Don Russel scholarship was named in honor of one of the Club’s most influential Lions in its 95-year history. Russel’s involvement in the Westfield Lions Club resulted in developing the Club into the successful organization it is today, according to the club, particularly his involvement in creating the semi-annual Poker for Sight tournament that awards hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants, scholarships and donations.
Recipients were Caleb Brannies and Anthony Derbique.
The Lions also awarded $500 each to a male and female athlete of the year. Those awards were granted to Will Harvey and Addie Kooi.
Besides the scholarship awards, new member Rob Grinder was inducted into the club by past District Governor Bob Benson. Sponsored by Lion President Bill Nesbitt, Grinder is the club’s 69th member.
Learn about the Westfield Lions Club and how to become a member at westfieldlions.org.
