Hickory Rotary Club recognizes the importance of a good education. At the club’s May 17th 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 can take many paths, and this year’s students’ service includes tutoring students in elementary school, helping at risk girls improve their self-image while learning new dance moves, leading Bible study classes with their peers and providing much needed assistance with their families. They accomplish all of this while attending school, participating in sports, and holding down after school jobs.
Service Above Self Scholarship winners from Hickory High School’s Class of 2012 will receive Rotary’s financial aid toward their college tuition. This year’s recipients are: Ally Gniadek and Sloane Barnhardt. Ally, who plans to attend The University of North Carolina – Wilmington, will receive a $2000 scholarship, payable at $500/year for four years. Sloane, who plans to attend Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, will receive an $8000 scholarship, payable at $2000/year for four years.
