Rotarians in Action: Scholarships, Youth Leadership, and Community Service Shine in Montgomery
Donato Nieman, Contributing Columnist
One of the reasons that makes me proud to be a Rotarian is the impact that our club can have on individuals, families, and the community. Service Above Self is the Rotary Motto and Montgomery/Rocky Hill Rotary Club members prove that by their actions every day, they offered their personal time to help those in need and raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for worthwhile causes. Members regularly bring donations of food and other sundries to the Montgomery Township Food Bank, organize and stock it shelves, helping those members of our community who suffer from food insecurity. No one in this country should have to worry about putting food on their table.
Summer is ending and young men and women are preparing to enter their freshman year in college and other institutions of higher education. The Montgomery/Rocky Hill Rotary Club Scholarship Program has been a cornerstone of our giving since 1990. Over 70 Montgomery High School students applied for Rotary Scholarships for college this year, but we know that not everyone wants or needs a college education. We are proud to publish the names of our 2025 scholarship recipients. Two scholarships with a value of two thousand dollars each will be offered to Montgomery/Rocky Hill Students at Somerset County Vo-Tech. A team of Rotarians interviewed every applicant and selected the best, most worthy applicants for scholarships. This was done with the cooperation of the Montgomery School District, and the Somerset County Vo-Tech. Fifteen thousand dollars’ worth of scholarships were given to the awardees. The awardees for 2025 are from Somerset County Vo-tech, Dominick Elias. Joelle Gozdek, and from Montgomery High School, Austin Allen, Bohdan Biekietov, Joanna George, Michael Lopez, Jackson Obe, Tyler Sokoloff, Karen Zidar, Anshu Churukumilli, Ryan Kang, Brielle Epstein. All the applicants were excellent candidates; however, the aforementioned students demonstrated the unique qualities that made them successful recipients. In June our Club held a celebratory breakfast for the scholarship recipients at the Cherry Valley Country Club.
Another program that impacts the younger members of our community is The Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA). RYLA is an intensive leadership experience where young people can develop their skills as a leader while having fun and making connections with fellow students, community leaders, inspirational speakers, and peer mentors. The program involves classroom and physical activities designed to develop team building and reliance on others. Two Montgomery High School students applied for and were accepted for the program, which will be held in late June at Caldwell University in Caldwell, New Jersey.
In an earlier column I wrote about our working relationship with Urban Promise/Trenton Trekkers, an organization who supports young people/students from Trenton who want to gain experiences beyond the urban boundaries of their city. Trekkers were offered the opportunity to apply for the Short-Term Youth Exchange Program in Japan. This is a program that allows twenty high school students and two Rotarian leaders to spend three weeks in Japan, experiencing Japanese culture and traditions. This program is hosted by Rotarians from Osaka Japan throughout their stay. Participants will explore major cities in southern Japan including Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara, with a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Each student will live with a host family and have a unique experience getting a deeper understanding of Japanese culture. Two of the Trenton Trekkers so impressed the Selection committee that they were selected to go, one student in 2025 and another was selected to go in 2026. Our club will pick up the entire cost for both students to attend this life changing program.
Being able to help others is one of the rewards of being a Rotarian, seeing the positive impact that your service can have on others is one of the most gratifying experiences one can have, join us and have the opportunity to enjoy the comradery and joy one gets from service to others. Our Rotary club meets every Thursday at 7:30 at the Cherry Valley Country Club, join us as our guests and learn more about being benefits of being a Rotarian.
Photo Credit: Nicholas Mistretta/headlinenewsmontgomery.com