The Rotary Club of Suffield is pleased to announce the recipients of scholarships from Suffield High School Class of 2020. A virtual Senior Awards ceremony was held on June 2, where the students were recognized. The overarching theme of all Rotary awards is a focus on commitment to community and school and demonstration of the motto of “Service Above Self”.
The first scholarship is to honor the late Thea Dutcher Coburn, a woman who, from the time she arrived in our town, took an immediate interest in our community. Thea served on the BOE, Project Concern (Open Choice). She had a powerful interest in conservation and also served on that commission. The scholarship honoring her was presented to Renee Tautic, who will attend the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and pursue a degree in the field of Plant Sciences.
The scholarship in memory of Dr. Alfred Stafford is given to a student who exemplifies service to the community. We are pleased to present this to Jenna Uzdarwin who will attend the University of Rhode Island and major in Kinesiology with a career path as an occupational therapist.
The scholarship in memory of Gerald Holder is presented to a student who is an example of service to the community with an interest in Public Relations. Dylan Reilly is the recipient and will attend Western New England University and concentrate on Marketing/Communications/Advertising.
The scholarship in memory of Ralph “Nick” Michelson III who personified service and commitment to Suffield is awarded to a student who embodies commitment and service to the school and the larger community of Suffield. We are pleased to present this to Felix Antwi-Mensah who will attend the University of Connecticut at Storrs and concentrate on studies in Physiology and Neurobiology with a career path as a doctor.
The scholarship in recognition of The Founders of Suffield Rotary including Lev Ahrens is given to a student who is hard working, reliable and has demonstrated academic growth and improvement; someone who contributes to the quality of life at the school and in the community. This is awarded to Clara Maffei who will matriculate to the University of Massachusetts, Boston. She plans to major in Management with a career goal in the field of corporate law.
The scholarship in memory of Elaine O’Brien, who was committed to her community and was a state representative who exemplified “Service Above Self” and the medical field/nursing/research is presented to a student who plans to pursue a career in one of those areas. Recipient Anna Abou-Francis will attend the University of Connecticut and major in Cell and Molecular Biology with a career goal in pathology.
The Rotary Club of Suffield wishes the Class of 2020 well as they begin the next chapter of their life. Please go to the Rotary Club of Suffield Facebook page for pictures of our scholarship recipients and their achievements.