2026 Annual Educational Scholarship Sweepstakes

I'm so incredibly grateful for the Rotary scholarship—it truly made a difference in my life. It helped ease the financial burden of nursing school, and I don't know where I would be without that support. I had a wonderful experience at USCB, and I'm now working at Hilton Head Hospital where I strive to give back to the community that believed in me.

Thank you again for the opportunity and for believing in students like me. I carry that support with me every day in my work and beyond.

Receiving the Hilton Head Rotary Club Scholarship has significantly shaped my college experience and opened the doors to many invaluable opportunities. Throughout my time at the University of South Carolina, I've had many incredible experiences such as studying abroad in Italy and Mexico, holding executive positions in school organizations, being a first-generation peer mentor, working on campus, and most recently, completing a senior thesis.

Receiving the scholarship has also been a constant reminder of how important it is to serve others and give back, and I can proudly say that I have engaged in meaningful service projects throughout my time in college. I know that none of this would have been possible without the support from the Rotary Club and without having people who believe in me. The scholarship has benefited me financially but also has empowered me to grow academically, professionally and personally in ways I never imagined possible four years ago.

Receiving the Hilton Head Island Rotary Club scholarship was an incredible honor and a pivotal moment in my academic journey. As a music major at Anderson University, this scholarship has provided me with the financial support necessary to pursue my passion for music without the overwhelming burden of higher education tuition costs. More than just financial assistance, it has served as a source of encouragement, reminding me that my hard work and dedication are recognized and valued by my community.

Through my studies, I have had the opportunity to grow as a musician, collaborate with talented peers, and develop my skills in ways that will allow me to give back through music. Whether it's performing, teaching, or collaborating with others in the industry, I am committed to using my education to make a positive impact.

I am deeply grateful to the Hilton Head Island Rotary Club for believing in my potential and investing in my future. This scholarship has not only helped me academically but has also motivated me to continue striving for excellence and to contribute to my community in meaningful ways. Thank you for making a difference in my life and the lives of so many students like me.

The HHI Rotary Scholarship has significantly impacted me personally and my ability to pursue my career goals. Without this generous scholarship and the wonderful support of my Rotary community, I would not have had the chance to attend West Virginia University. At WVU, I now have the opportunity to pursue a Forensic Science degree at one of the top schools in the field. This scholarship has also helped take some of the heavy financial burden off my mother and me, which has truly helped me enjoy, as well as engage in, more university activities such as the Forensics Club and WVUp All Night. I am so grateful to everyone at HHI Rotary who made this possible and I look forward to seeing you all at the next meeting when I'm back on the island!

The Rotary Club scholarship has truly been one of the biggest blessings to my college career and I couldn't be more thankful for y'all and what you have provided for me. The University of South Carolina has become a second home for me, and I couldn't imagine myself anywhere else, I'm able to focus more on my studies and extracurricular activities without the constant worry of tuition and fees. The scholarship has also connected me with a network of like-minded individuals and mentors who have supported my growth both academically and personally. Thanks to the Rotary Club's generosity, I've been able to make the most of my time at USC, engage in meaningful experiences, and pursue my dreams with greater confidence. I am forever grateful for the opportunity and the impact it continues to have on my journey.

As for what I've been up to lately, I'm still very heavily involved in Kappa Delta as well as the Tribeta biology honors club. By the end of the semester, I will have completed 40 community service hours and hopefully to continue extending my 4.0 GPA! I'm excited to share that this summer I have plans to be an Au Pair for a family in Seville, Spain. I will be there from May 16th until July 29th and am ecstatic counting down the days until I am there. The family consists of four children that I will be looking out for ages 3,5,7 and 12! I will have my hands full but can't wait to be exploring Spain and getting to be a part of another culture.

Being a recipient of the Rotary Club Scholarship has given me blessings I didn't think were attainable. As a first-generation student, I had no knowledge or understanding of what my life would look like after graduating high school. However, with the help and generosity of the Rotary club, I was blessed with the opportunity to pursue higher education in fields I am passionate about. This scholarship has allowed me to immerse myself at Lander University and become an active member of its community, becoming part of the executive board of the Rotaract chapter at Lander. Without the support from all of Rotary, I would not have the chance and drive to be where I am today. I look forward to continuing moving towards reaching my academic goals, knowing I have an amazing group of Rotarians back home giving me endless amounts of support.

Starting my college education here at the University of Washington was just as enlightening and challenging as I had anticipated. It truly is a completely different culture, and I have used the diverse amount of people and experiences this area has to offer to push myself out of my comfort zone. I have found my place in various communities, such as the Hillel at UW, the CELE Center, the Interdisciplinary Honors Program, and even a couple of RSOs, which have reaffirmed my desire to grow as a person here.

During my first quarter at UW, I was almost overwhelmed with the number of options I could choose from for programs in the College of Education. I officially declared my double Major in Education Studies and Spanish in addition to the Honors requirements. I have continued to achieve high marks academically, especially since most of my classes have been project based rather than exam based. Ultimately, this has been an interesting transition for me, since I was used to the study methods I had developed in high school.

Rather than sticking to the extracurriculars which I had done for years in high school, such as NJROTC and Theatre, I have taken it upon myself to learn new skills and grow beyond what I had accomplished in high school. This includes clubs, such as the UW Salsa Club, the UW Farm, and a unique organization close to my heart called Unite UW. Unite UW is a cross-cultural cohort for international, domestic, and exchange students. I became friends with people from all around the world–some examples that come to mind are friends from Japan, Kazakhstan, China, Venezuela, Italy, Thailand, and many more. The friends, community, and memories that Unite UW have given me have inspired me to pursue leadership in future quarters as a facilitator.

Organizations such as the Hillel at UW have truly given me a home away from home community. I have found friends and mentors alike at Hillel and have applied for a future leadership opportunity as a member of their Student Leadership Board next year. Unexpectedly, I found a rich Jewish community here in Seattle, and as result, have explored my own Jewish identity. Hillel is certainly one of the main reasons why I have found my niche here at UW.