Rotary Log for May 28, 2015

 
Rotary Log for Thursday May 28th  by Ben Babcock
Photos by Leo Gagnon
 
There were few empty seats when President Trish brought the meeting to order on Scholarship Day.  Past President Diane Foley led the club in singing “My Country ‘tis of Thee.”  Greeter Dr. Al Lantinen led the four way test.  Reverend Allen provided the invocation and then members and guests dined on another delicious lunch.
 
Among the day’s attendees were several guests and visitors.  Trish announced birthdays for the following Rotarians: Susan Gold, Peg Millar, Janice Cassidy, Jay Gibson, Larry Gray, Cindy Boyd, Bill Holt, Linda Browning, and Shari Donnermeyer.
 
 
Scholarship Committee Chair Donna Lewallen then took to the podium.  She invited the 14 Scholarship recipients to join her.  “This is the picture of success,” she noted, as the group received the first of many rousing ovations.
 
Donna took a moment to thank the other members of the Scholarship Committee: Marie Brownell, Bob Field, Larry Gray, Cindi Shanley and Tristan Shanley.  She noted what a challenging year it was for the committee with 33 worthy applicants.  Each applicant completed both a nine page application and a live interview as part of the selection process.  In the end, fourteen students were selected to receive their share of the $35,000 in scholarship awards.
 
Donna then introduced Sarah Doucette – a recipient of a Rotary Scholarship in 2014.  Sarah spoke to the club on her experiences as a first year student at Brandeis University.   Her message to this year’s Scholarship recipients was “step outside of your box and your comfort zone.”  She also extended her gratitude to the club for the Scholarship award that she had received.
 
Donna then introduced Nick Genimatas to present the first award of the afternoon.  Mr Genimatas gave the Bill Genimatas Rotary Scholarship to Nancy Kallimonis.   Nancy will be attending Hofstra University to pursue a degree in Psychology.
 
Cindi Shanley presented the next four scholarships, noting how strong the references were for each of the candidates. She presented scholarships to the following Portsmouth High School seniors:
 
Jack Dewsnap – accepted at Dartmouth College to pursue a degree in Engineering. 
 
Liam McCafferty – (celebrating his 18th birthday)  attending Babson College to study Entrepreneurship and Economics.
 
Sai Narra –accepted at  Georgia Tech University to pursue a degree in Electrical Engineering. 
 
Olivia Nossiff--attending Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles to study acting.
 
Cindi then turned the podium over to Rotarian Marie Brownell to present the next four awards.  The recipients were as follows:
 
Gabrielle Leavitt--majoring in physics in the five year co-op program at Northeastern University.  Alexander Bock—a bio chemistry major at Tufts University seeking a career in neuro-science. 
 
Hannah Wood--attending Georgia Tech University with a focus on biomedical engineering and prosthetics.   
 
Ivey Telle- attending UNH to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering.  Ivey was also a previous recipient of the club’s Jeremy Alex Music Scholarship.
 
Donna returned to present the next award to PHS Valedictorian Colin Yost.  Colin will be attending Princeton University and plans to major in chemistry and bio-engineering. Colin  hopes to become a cardio-vascular surgeon.
 
Rotarian Tristan Shanley, accompanied by her aunts M.J. Shanley Keene and Brenda Shanley, presented the Joe Shanley Scholarships.  The award recognizes students who have demonstrated a commitment to community service, have financial need, and display academic promise.  The recipients of the Joe Shanley Scholarship were:
 
Jubilee Byfield – who will be attending UNH.
 
Mark Hunter – accepted at Northeastern University with a focus on electrical engineering. 
 
Madolyn Chavez, who will attend Keene State College to pursue a degree in Psychology. (And not in teaching – as suggested in her introduction, much to the amusement of the club.)
 
Evan Jones, who will attend UNH to major in engineering.
 
 
President Trish led the club and attendees in another rousing ovation for this year’s scholarship winners.  The accolades and accomplishments of these young men and women were truly amazing.  She also took a moment to thank and congratulate the parents of this year’s winners.
 
The raffle drawing was for $76 and was won by Brenda Shanley.  There was no match, and the winnings were graciously donated back to the club’s scholarship fund.
 
Respectfully submitted, Ben Babcock
 
 
 
 
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