Salem Rotary Club Awards $40K In Scholarships To 14 Graduates

SALEM, MA — The Salem Rotary Club awarded $40,000 in scholarships to 14 Salem graduating seniors at its annual luncheon last week.

The awards include the presentation of $50,000 in Scholarship and Career and Technical Education Awards to senior students from Salem.

"This is the most special meeting we hold each year, and it is a joy for our members to meet students and their families whose lives are positively impacted by these awards," said Jennifer Close, Salem Rotary Club President.

This year's scholarship recipients represent Salem High School, Salem Academy Charter School, Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, St. Mary's High School, and St. John's Prep.

Two awards were given in honor of well-known former Rotarians who were dedicated to supporting youth in our community. The Robert P. "Buck" Alexander Merit Scholarship went to Caitlyn McKiernan and Nick Griffin, and the Vance M. "Salty" Smith Scholarship went to Sophia Butusova.

Additional Salem Rotary Club Scholarships were presented to Riley Fenerty, Abigail Lowe, Chloe Magee, Keira Morgan, William Napierkowski, Tilda Rieder, Kyle Rush, Liam Sullivan, Annabelle Wemmer, Emi Whitfield, and Yassmin Yousif.

Successful applicants are high-achieving students who are also involved in their local community. They are athletes, scholars, civically engaged volunteers, and hard workers. Through this program, the Salem Rotary Club is the largest non-profit contributor to student scholarships in Salem.

"Having such a vibrant Rotary Club in Salem is an asset to our city," said Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo said. "I was honored to join the celebration and see the excitement first-hand. This continued legacy of sponsorship and support of our city’s students and future leaders is incredible and something that should be appreciated by all."

The Salem Rotary Club CTE Directors Award is presented to an outstanding student from each program who exemplifies the ideals of vocational education. These students have demonstrated exceptional qualities of character, creativity, cooperation, and citizenship and will continue to carry on the best traditions of vocational education proudly.

The following students received the Rotary Directors Award: Cameron St. Germain for Automotive Technologies; Alejandro Hernandez for Building and Property Maintenance; Jacob Pina Harding for Carpentry; Logan Abboud for Culinary Arts; Lisy Almonte Genao for Early Education and Care; Corey Grimes for Electrical Technologies; Abdiel Pimentel Cabral for Graphic Design; Maya Pallazola for Medical Assisting; and Syed Ramim for Programming and Web Development.

The Salem Rotary Club Vocational Achievement Award is presented to a student in each program who has strived to be the best in their technical field. These students exhibit vocational excellence as well as strong personal and professional development. They serve as role models within their programs through their self-confidence, high ethical standards and superior work skills.

The following students received the Rotary Club Vocational Achievement Award: Aiden Burnett for Automotive Technologies; Josean Castillo for Building and Property Maintenance; Jacob Pina Harding for Carpentry; Elias Vasquez-Bastardo for Culinary Arts; Melany Garcia for Early Education and Care; Corey Grimes for Electrical Technologies; Joe Reyes Rodriguez for Graphic Design; Pamela Payano Ortiz for Medical Assisting; and Joshua Morton for Programming and Web Development.

"It was certainly an exciting afternoon," shared Mario Sousa, CTE Director. "It is my hope that these students will continue to be involved in their communities and consider giving back in the future. I am certain that they would be welcome in any Rotary Club across the globe."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)