Twenty-two students, parents, school and city officials and Rotarians celebrated scholarship winners from the five Federal Way high schools at an awards luncheon June 4. The scholarships totaled $40,000.
Over 120 people filled the ballroom of the Best Western Hotel. In the past 30 years, the Federal Way Rotary Club has funded more than $500,000 in scholarships to outstanding local students.
The scholarships were awarded on the basis of scholastic performance, financial need, leadership potential and community service. Two students earned a perfect 4.0. One was recognized as a Seattle Times female athlete of the year. Many played on championship athletic teams. Another is an accomplished musician on both the piano and violin. Many students volunteered hours at the food bank, tutored other students or cared for infirm relatives.
MJ Lee Real from Truman High School won the Al Vaux scholarship, which is a scholarship funded by Rotarians and the Vaux family in honor and memory of Al Vaux, a past Rotary Club president. Real wants to study law to be able to help the underserved.
Some student winners were natives from Ghana, Mexico, Kenya, and the Philippines. They are going to college to study medicine, film production, computer science, education, law and criminal forensics.
The top choices for college work included University of Washington, Washington State, Western Washington and Highline College. One Running Start student completed her high school and associate degree to enter college as a junior. The group of 15 girls and seven boys reflect the national trend of women outnumbering men going to and graduating from college, according to the Rotary.
The Federal Way Rotary Club of 72 members is part of a worldwide organization of 1.2 million members. Meetings are held weekly at noon on Thursday at the Marriot Hotel. The local club earns the money for the scholarships and other local and international projects with an annual dinner and auction held the last Saturday in January.
For more information about Rotary, visit federalwayrotary.org.
