It’s scholarship season for the service clubs.
The Optimist Club of St. Clair Shores gave out $12,000 in scholarships to graduating students who plan to pursue their education at a college, university or trade school. Eight students, two from each of the city’s high schools, received $1,500 each. The club also recognized students for their achievements in art, sports and leadership.
“As Optimists, our purpose is to ‘bring out the best’ in kids and this signature event showcases all the great things our students are achieving,” banquet chairwoman Kathy Rayner said. “It is our goal to make a positive difference in the lives of our youth and in our community.”
The 2013-2014 Lac Ste. Claire Art Fair winners are: first place, $150, Josephine Licata (Lake Shore High School), Mia Frank (Lakeview High School), Taylor Monreal (South Lake High School); second place, $100, Collin Almario (Lake Shore), Stephanie Lunceford (Lakeview), Brianna Newsom (South Lake); third place, $50, Lydia Arbaugh (Lake Shore), Mitchell Cunha (Lakeview), Monica Sanchez (South Lake.)
The Gerry Geromette Only the Best award went to Kristian Wilks (Lake Shore), Julia Benvenuti (Lakeview) and Patricia Ader (South Lake.) The Barb Kaiser Sportsmanship award went to Luke Warrick (Lake Shore), Zach Strobl (Lakeview) and Damaris Heard (South Lake.)
Scholarships of $1,500 each were awarded to: Samantha Hannah and Marquis Simmons (Lake Shore) Elena Peters and Jessica Witt (Lakeview), Alexis Sain and Nick Kasprzak (South Lake) and Riley Ruppert and Taylor Profit (North Lake High School). Savanna Krim of South Lake received the Youth Leadership Award.
The Utica Shelby Rotary Club gave a $1,000 scholarship to August Brown, from Utica High School. He had the highest rise in his grade point average of all students from the ninth to the 12th grade. Brown intends to attend Central Michigan University and major in electrical engineering.
April Raupp and Marla Lemly, guidance counselors from Eppler Junior High School, thanked the Utica Shelby Rotary Club for donating money for shoes and clothing, sports equipment, and a field trip to Macomb Community College.
“These students aren’t always aware that college could be something for them,” Lemly said. “They see that they can find a good job after two years at Macomb.”
The Shorewood Kiwanis Club gave out its first $500 scholarships of the year to Grosse Pointe South High School Key Club members, Allison Cornell and Rachael Focillo. Cornell plans to attend the University of South Florida for Public Health Nursing and also study the Spanish language.
“I can’t begin to express the gratitude I feel for receiving the scholarship,” Cornell told the Kiwanis members. “The college process is a daunting, yet exciting one, and the generous scholarship will certainly help. From books to housing to transportation, college will be expensive, but so worth it.”
The Clinton Township Kiwanis Club gave out $1,000 scholarships to students at L’Anse Creuse High School, L’Anse Creuse North High School, Dakota High School, Chippewa Valley High School, and International Academy of Macomb.
“We also awarded $1,000 to the Eric Wilcox Scholarship Fund on behalf of boys tennis at L’Anse Creuse North,” Kiwanian Randy Payne said.
Wilcox, who died in a car accident, played tennis at the high school for Payne who coached him.
“Ever since he died, we have been giving money to LCN for their scholarship fund. This scholarship fund will continue until I am no longer here,” Payne said.
Fly the flag on Flag Day
Today is Flag Day. There is a flag retirement ceremony – ceremonial burning of unusable American flags – at 2 p.m. at American Legion Rieck Post 351, 46146 Cass Ave., Utica.
Play golf for Rotary Club
The 16th annual Ray Filipchuck Memorial golf outing is June 20 at Sycamore Hills Golf Club. Check-in is at 7:30 a.m. at 48787 North Ave., Macomb. Contact Brian Springett at 313-361-1258 or bjspringett@gmail.com for information. The cost is $135 per golfer for 18 holes, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Proceeds go to Boy Scouts of America, Special Olympics, anti-drinking programs, safe driving programs, World Medical Relief, Macomb Community College scholarships, Macomb Literacy Partners, a bike helmet safety program and Rotary’s international program to eliminate polio.
Lions to hold car show
The Center Line Lions Club seventh annual car show is June 29 at the ABC Warehouse parking lot at the intersection of 10 Mile Road and Van Dyke Ave. Registration is 8-11 a.m.; judging is 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; trophies are at 3 p.m. Cost is $15 prior to the show and $20 on the day of the show. The first 100 vehicle owners to register are entered in a drawing for a gas barbecue grill. This is a United Street Machine event with DJ, raffles and food.
Grand Prix date is set
The date for the Mount Clemens Grand Prix is set for Sept. 6. The Mount Clemens Grand Prix committee and the Mount Clemens Lions Club are partners in the endeavor. The event, which has been held for 22 years, has given community organizations and local charities more than $267,000 from the event. The Lions club intends to take over the management and administration by 2016.
The current committee started as high school parents doing a booster club fundraiser.
“As that group has aged, it was only a matter of time before the members would move on and leave the future of the grand prix to a more long-term, established entity,” Peter Callanan said. “The Mount Clemens Lions Club has been involved with our community since 1935 making it the logical choice to continue the event. An organization like the Mount Clemens Lions can provide the structure necessary, as well as, bring in various sub-groups to assist in the delivering a successful event.”
The two entities are looking for more people to volunteer and donate, and for more racers to participate. Contact Peter Callanan at Peter_callanan@hotmail.com 586-260-9653 or Bob Voires at robert.voiers@comcast.net or 586-615-3855.
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