Newsletter for Meeting of Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Meeting Notes for June 3, 2014 at the Sheraton Hotel in Needham
Pledge of Allegiance: Glen
Song: "America" Led by Bob
Invocation: Darrell
Glen welcomed everyone to celebrate the two 2014 Needham High School senior scholarship recipients.
Announcements:
Ted informed the group of three children being treated in Boston through the Gift of Life New England:
- Edwin, age 3 weeks from Panama, traveled with his mom and doctor and is in surgery as we met
- Daniela, age 16 years, also from Panama
- Valeria, age 2 years from Ecuador
Gift of Life New England works with some of the leading Hospitals in the Boston area to treat children from developing countries who would not be able to receive the life-saving treatment in their home country. The care is free and housing is provided to the family from area Rotarians.
Awesome program! Thanks for the update, Ted! It makes us proud to be Rotarians!
Happy Dollars:
The Happy dollars collected today were in memory of Rotarian Bob Welling and will go to the Scholarship Fund. Total contributed today totaled $655!!! Thanks to our members for their generosity!
Many dedications were on behalf of the High School Scholarship winners; George gave thanks for his many years as scholarship trustee (proud of the current and past recipients and fellow Rotarians!).
Ryan had the lucky number for a chance to draw the queen of hearts to split the $308 pot. Too bad, pot will grow next week!
Scholarship Winners:
Glen invited Lois Sockol to introduce our scholarship recipients. Lois thanked fellow committee members Dan Tibma and Rick Davis. There were 53 Needham High School seniors who applied. Of the 53, it was narrowed to 36 and then to 6 to be interviewed and finally to the two selected to receive a $10,000 scholarship. The criteria for selection is based on three elements; academics, involvement in the school and community, and financial need. These scholarships are among the largest given each year at Needham High School.
This year’s recipients are Ms. Sara Castiglia and Mr. Aiden O’Connor. Sara was a member of the track team, debate and speech team, student council member and played flute in the band. Sara will be attending Georgetown in the fall and plans to study government. Aiden also was a member of the band and played rugby and was a wide receiver on the football team. Aiden plans to study finance at Providence College.
Mr. Tom Savino, trustee of the Needham Rotary Scholarship Fund reminded those present of the inception of the Scholarship Fund. It was originally funded through the tips (pennies and nickels) left by the members as thanks to the other members who served the meal on the day. The Fund was created in 1952 and has been funded through contributions from Needham Rotarians. Mr. Savino invited both recipients up to receive the first of their four scholarship checks (four annual checks of $2,500 each). All members stood and offered very warm applause to the winners!
Our scholarship recipients were joined by their parents who looked on with admiration as their children were praised for their achievenments in school and the community!