Salem Rotary Awards $55K In Scholarships To CTE Students

SALEM, MA — Twelve Salem high school career and technical education students were awarded $45,000 in scholarships at the annual Salem Rotary Club scholarship luncheon.

The Rotary also delivered $10,000 in awards to Salem High School's CTE program senior students, determined by the faculty of Salem High School, which were distributed at a ceremony at the school in late May.

"This is the most special meeting we hold each year, and it is a joy for our members to meet students and their families whose lives are positively impacted by these awards," said Carolyn Shapiro, Salem Rotary Club President, of the scholarship luncheon.

Successful applicants are high-achieving students who are also involved in their local community. They are athletes, scholars, civically engaged volunteers, and hard workers. Through this program, the Salem Rotary Club is the largest non-profit contributor to student scholarships in Salem.

This year's scholarship recipients represent Salem High School, Salem Academy Charter School, Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, St. Mary's High School, and St. John's Prep.

Two awards were given in honor of former Rotarians who were dedicated to supporting youth in the community. The Robert P. "Buck" Alexander Merit Scholarship went to Kate Heppner and Thomas Shea, and the Vance M. "Salty" Smith Scholarship went to Isabelle Duffy.

Additional Salem Rotary Club Scholarships were presented to John Cullen, Sophia Fritz, Sammy Garcia, Clara Lopez, Sophia Lugo, Linus Owen, Lucienne Pelletier, Barbara Rowley, and Jack Tsoutsouras.

The Salem Rotary Club CTE Directors Award is presented to an outstanding student from each Salem High CTE program who exemplifies the ideals of vocational education. These students have demonstrated exceptional qualities of character, creativity, cooperation, and citizenship and will continue to carry on the best traditions of vocational education proudly.

The following students received the Rotary Directors Award: Nicholas Deavila for Automotive, Barbara Rowley for Automotive/Marine Services, Antonios Tsimounis for Building and Property Maintenance, Gadge Hayes for Carpentry, Mia Almonte for Computer Science, Janay Newton for Culinary, Miguel Pontius for Early Childhood Education, Nicholas Barreira for Electrical, Mia Almonte for Graphic Design and Visual Communication, and Elianna Moreno for Medical Assisting.

The Salem Rotary Club Vocational Achievement Award is presented to a student in each program who has strived to be the best in their technical field. These students exhibit vocational excellence as well as strong personal and professional development. They serve as role models within their programs through their self-confidence, high ethical standards and superior work skills.

The following students received the Rotary Club Vocational Achievement Award: Jayden Bueno for Automotive, Jake Driscoll for Carpentry, Rowan Klein for Computer Science, Jaimani Rivera for Culinary, Amanda Gaff for Early Childhood Education, Dylan Beauregard for Electrical, Ethan Jones for Graphic Design and Visual Communication, and Philip Giglio for Medical Assisting.

"It was certainly an exciting afternoon," shared Mario Sousa, CTE Director. "It is my hope that these students will continue to be involved in their communities and consider giving back in the future. I am certain that they would be welcome in any Rotary Club across the globe."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

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