The Rotary Club of Escanaba awarded five scholarships to recent high school graduates from Delta County at its annual dinner meeting, held Tuesday evening at the Freshwater Tavern in the Terrace Bay Inn. Four of the awards were for $1,000 and the fifth is valued at up to $6,000.
The $6,000 award went to Nathan Lord of Escanaba. Lord ranked as one of the top seniors at Escanaba High School. He had a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 4.22, reaching the “A” honor roll in eight consecutive semesters. He also participated in football, basketball, track and field and tennis over the course of four years. In addition, he was a member of the band and took part in the Northern Michigan University math competition.
Lord was the recipient of the 4th annual Leon Kinasiewicz, M.D., Scholarship. Kinasiewicz is a retired board certified radiologist, past president of Rotary and an emeritus member of the Club’s Trust Board. The award is presented to an outstanding senior who plans to enter the medical field, and has overcome some kind of adversity. Lord plans to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering or as a physical therapist.
The four $1,000 Rotary Club Annual High School Scholarships were awarded based on essays written by applicants about Rotary Club’s motto “Service Above Self”.
Madeline Gardner from Gladstone received one of the Annual High School Scholarships. Gardner recently graduated from Escanaba High School first in the class with a 4.3 GPA. She plans to major in Pharmacy at Ferris State University. She has worked at Gladstone Mobil and as a tutor at Bay College. Gardner was also a member of the Esky High Book Club, Chess Club, Players De Noc, the Business Professionals of America, and the cross country team.
Taylor Van Oss of Rapid River also received a $1,000 award. She was second in the Rockets class with a cumulative 3.961 GPA. She plans to attend Michigan Technological University and pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Environmental Studies. While at Rapid River High School Van Oss participated in Key Club, was a member of the National Honor Society (NHS) and was a member of the track, volleyball and cross country teams. She also worked at the Rapid River Dairy Flo.
Anna Valiquette was another top student at Escanaba High School with a 4.11 GPA. She plans to initially attend Bay College before pursuing a degree in Biology or Pre-Med at a four year institution. During her time at Esky High, Valiquette worked at Domino’s and the Bay Cliff Health Camp. She was also a member of the NHS, student council, the RoboMos robotics team and the tennis team.
The final recipient was Allyson Lancour, a Rock resident and recent graduate of the Mid-Peninsula High School. Lancour was first in her class at Mid-Pen with a 4.0 GPA. She plans to begin at Bay College and has yet to settle on a major. She was another NHS member and played basketball. In addition, she received the Presidential Academic Excellence Award and the All “A” Honor Roll.
Each student read from their scholarship winning essays. Rotary Club member Joe Powers took over the Club’s presidential duties from the 2020-21 leader Doug Leisenring, at the conclusion of the meeting.
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