The Rotary Club of Lexington saluted a group of outstanding high school seniors during its April 28 awards program at Fasig-Tipton, including Joanna Slusarewicz of Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, who received the $10,000 scholarship as the Rotary Scholar Award winner for 2016. Among Joanna’s activities are captain of her school’s Future Problem Solvers, founder of Dunbar’s Kentucky Junior Historical Society, president of the Science National Honor Society, editor of Dunbar’s literary magazine, first chair clarinet in the school’s concert band, and principal clarinet for the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra. Joanna plans to major in computer science at Yale University.
The Rotary Club also announced its All-Fayette County High School Academic Team. These honorees from FCPS each received a $1,000 scholarship: Ella Helmuth of Bryan Station High, Eliza Jane Schaeffer of Henry Clay, Steven Armbruster of Lafayette, Connor Krolak of Dunbar, and Nolan Adams of Tates Creek High.
Keriann Ferguson of Dunbar received the Milward Cup and a $250 award for demonstrating “Service above Self.” She has participated in a mission trip to Guatemala and volunteered at God’s Pantry, Cardinal Hill hospital, Morton Middle School, and the International Book Project. Keriann also made the academic all-state teams in volleyball and swimming. An accomplished pianist, she plans to major in middle school education at the University of Kentucky.
In addition, Lafayette’s Whitney Walker received the Jack T. Bryden Great Teacher Award, based on essays submitted by two students. Walker, who received a $1,000 award, teaches courses in government, world cultures, and AP human geography. “There is no better payoff than to watch your students grow into critical thinkers who question reality and history and take part in the global community at such a young age,” she said.
For questions, contact Rotary scholarship committee chairman Jamie Schrader.