Salem Rotary Club awards $40,000 in scholarships to 14 graduates

The Salem Rotary Club presented the awards last week at its annual scholarship luncheon.

June 27, 2024, 10:21 a.m. EDT

SALEM, MA — The Salem Rotary Club awarded $40,000 in scholarships to 14 Salem graduates at its annual luncheon last week.

The awards include the presentation of $50,000 in career and technical education scholarships and awards to graduating Salem students.

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“This is the most special reunion we hold each year, and our members enjoy getting to know students and their families whose lives are positively impacted by these awards,” said Jennifer Close, president of the Salem Rotary Club.

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 presented to honor notable former Rotarians who have made a difference to the youth of our community. The Robert P. “Buck” Alexander Merit Scholarship went to Caitlyn McKiernan and Nick Griffin and the Vance M. “Salty” Smith Scholarship went to Sophia Butusova.

Additional Salem Rotary Club scholarships were awarded to Riley Fenerty, Abigail Lowe, Chloe Magee, Keira Morgan, William Napierkowski, Tilda Rieder, Kyle Rush, Liam Sullivan, Annabelle Wemmer, Emi Whitfield and Yassmin Yousif.

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

“Having such a vibrant Rotary Club in Salem is an asset to our city,” said Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo. “It was an honor to attend the celebration and witness the excitement firsthand. This ongoing legacy of nurturing and supporting our city’s students and future leaders is incredible and something that should be cherished by all.”

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

The following students received the Rotary Directors Award: Cameron St. Germain for automotive technologies; Alejandro Hernandez for building and property maintenance; Jacob Pina Harding for carpentry; Logan Abboud for culinary arts; Lisy Almonte Genao for early education and care; Corey Grimes for electrical technologies; Abdiel Pimentel Cabral for graphic design; Maya Pallazola for medical assisting; and Syed Ramim for programming and web development.

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

The following students received the Rotary Club Vocational Achievement Award: Aiden Burnett for automotive technologies; Josean Castillo for building and property maintenance; Jacob Pina Harding for carpentry; Elias Vasquez-Bastardo for culinary arts; Melany Garcia for early education and care; Corey Grimes for electrical technologies; Joe Reyes Rodriguez for graphic design; Pamela Payano Ortiz for medical assisting; and Joshua Morton for programming and web development.

“It was truly an exciting afternoon,” said Mario Sousa, CTE director. “I hope these students continue to be involved in their communities and give back in the future. I am sure they would be welcome in any Rotary Club around the world.”

(Scott Souza is Patch’s field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem, and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)