Hickory Rotary Club recognizes the importance of a good education. At the club’s May 16th meeting outstanding local scholars were recognized and rewarded. Hickory Rotary Club’s Service Above Self Scholarship rewards students who excel in the classroom, are recognized by teachers as leaders and who volunteer to serve others through community service, church activities and more.
To qualify for a Service Above Self Scholarship, candidates must consistently demonstrate their service to others, be in the top 20% of their class, and lead by example.
During the interviews, students are evaluated on traditional scholarship standards: grades, overall grade point average and class rank. What sets this scholarship apart from many others is that each honored student must demonstrate how they serve their community.
Service Above Self Scholarship winners from Hickory High School’s Class of 2013 will receive Rotary’s financial aid toward their college tuition. This year’s recipients are: Katie Mathewson and Darius Malbon.
Katie is a member of the Interact Club and has served her community as a Young Life fundraising banquet volunteer, Community Blood Center blood drive volunteer, Brett’s Ride volunteer, volunteer softball coach at Northview Middle School, mural artist at Snow Creek Elementary School, volunteer camp counselor at the Catawba Science Center, and volunteer at the Catawba Science Center.
Darius is a member of the Beta Club and the National Honor Society. His service above self includes volunteering with the Hickory Recreation Department, collecting food for people in need, gathering trash in and around Hickory High School, Brett’s Ride, helping children have fun at multiple Fall Festivals in the community, tutoring other HHS students in math, serving Thanksgiving dinners to needy residents of our community, and assisting with Girls on the Run.
Katie plans to attend Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, where she plans to major in Communication Studies and minor in Studio. She will receive a $6000 scholarship, payable at $1500/year for four years.
Darius plans to attend Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, NC, where he plans to major in Communication. He will receive a $4000 scholarship, payable at $1000/year for four years.
Congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients and their families.
