The program for the day was the Rotary Foundation of Knoxville Scholarship Awards Committee presentation of college scholarships to two area high school graduates. RCK Member Jennifer Sepaniak, Chair of the Scholarship Awards Committee, presented the program. Jennifer noted the good work put in by her Committee, and recognized the Committee members.
Jennifer introduced six past Scholarship Award recipients who attended the meeting at the invitation of the Club, Abby Ann Ramsey, Linnea Johnsen, Regan Wright, Esther McFall, Davyn Mengeling and Lily Plewniak.
Jennifer briefly reviewed the history of the Rotary Foundation of Knoxville Scholarship Awards Program. RCK initiated a student loan fund in 1929 to provide loans for deserving high school students with financial needs. Several years ago the Club discontinued the loan program and began the scholarship program. Today’s Scholarship Awards are for $20,000 spread over four years. There are four named scholarships, endowed by current or former RCK members. Scholarships can be named and endowed for a $50,000 contribution to the Rotary Foundation of Knoxville.
This year the Committee reviewed thirty-seven detailed scholarship applications from area high school students from twelve public schools and two private schools. Five were chosen for in-person interviews. All were worthy applicants. The Committee chose two of the five applicants interviewed to receive the RFK Scholarship Awards.
Jennifer first introduced Natalie Enciso, a Career Magnet Academy graduate. The Career Magnet Academy is located at Pellissippi State Community College on its Strawberry Plains campus and provides students the opportunity to make significant progress toward an associate degree while still in high school. Natalie graduated from CMA with an associate of arts degree from Pellissippi State. She plans to attend Middle Tennessee State University and pursue a degree in psychology with minors in criminal justice and lifespan development. She hopes to work with young people on their path to rehabilitation after they have entered the juvenile detention system. Natalie is a first-generation Mexican American and second of six children. She has worked at Target for two years. She contributes to the community in many ways, including through the Hispanic Heritage Alliance Club at Pellissippi State which she helped initiate. Natalie was most gracious and eloquent in accepting the award and thanking the Club, and, in particular, in recognizing her parents for their help through her schooling to date.
Jennifer next announced the award of a scholarship to Joseph Shepherd (“Shep”) McMurray, a Bearden High School graduate. Shep is the oldest of three children. He plans to attend the University of Tennessee to study international business relations at the Baker School, with a goal of going to law school thereafter. Shep was a co-captain of the Bearden High School soccer team, which won the State Championship this year. In addition, he has been active in Young Life, and presently works at Dick’s House of Sport. Shep was unable to attend, but sent a video acceptance and thank you speech which was well-presented.
Once again, the scholarship recipients this year exemplify the reasons for the RFK Scholarship Awards program. They will represent us well.