5 Moline High graduates receive Rotary scholarships

Five recent Moline High School graduates received scholarships of over $15,000 from the Moline Rotary.

Baylie Farmer (University of Illinois), Jolie Martinez (Drake University) and Sidney Schlitz (Augustana College) earned Moline Rotary Scholarship Foundation awards of $5,000, $3,000, and $2,000, respectively, by exemplifying the Rotary International mantra of “Service Above Self.” Since 1996, the Moline Rotary member-funded scholarship programs have awarded nearly $300,000 in scholarship assistance to students living within Moline’s borders.

Two other recent Moline High graduates, Carlin Rosas and Liliana Blanford, will attend Black Hawk College tuition-free, courtesy of STRIVE scholarships presented by the Moline Rotary in partnership with BHC.

“It is so helpful,” said Farmer, who plans to major in Teacher Education with a Special Education emphasis. “College gets more and more expensive. To have a little help going into it, knowing I won’t have as much of a financial burden, is great.”

Farmer’s interest in Special Education was inspired by her younger brother, who has Down’s Syndrome. “He’s my favorite person in the world and I think it would be so cool to be able to teach and help people just like him,” she said.

She was chosen for this year’s top award from among a field of applicants who carried a 3.0 or better grade-point average, participated in two or more volunteer activities in school, church and/or the community and submitted essays explaining what “Service Above Self” means to them.

Martinez is planning to major in psychology at Drake. “I have always been fascinated by how psychology worked, as a kid with my own experience, and I feel like I can make a difference,” she said.

Schlitz is considering a marketing and business administration major but will continue a lifelong passion at Augustana by minoring in theatre and vocal performance.

“I love them,” she said of her minor. “I know for sure I’m going to continue volunteering at Music Guild as much as I possibly can. It is one of my favorite places to volunteer. And I also will still volunteer at the food pantry at my church.”

All three Moline Rotary Foundation Scholarship winners were part of Moline High School’s Interact Club, a Rotary International-sanctioned, youth-oriented extension of the Rotary’s volunteerism and community service.

“Growing the next generation of community servants is among the most important things we do as Rotarians,” said J.C. Millman, Moline Rotary Director of Youth Services. “Helping young people like Baylie, Jolie, Sidney, Carlin and Liliana take the next steps in their development and doing so with a demonstrated understanding of the true meaning of ‘Service Above Self,’ is rewarding and gratifying for every member of our organization.”

The STRIVE Scholarship allows the Moline Rotary to provide a year of tuition and books to two students each year. Black Hawk College providing a matching award. Applicants must maintain a C grade-point average or better, with a senior year GPA one point better than they had in their first year. Winners must maintain an attendance record of 90% or better as seniors.

Click here for more on the Moline Rotary.

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