Nanuet Rotary Gives Scholarships To Two Graduating Seniors

The Nanuet Rotary gave out its two annual scholarships to graduating high school seniors on Thursday at the Clarksville Inn.

The two seniors to earn the scholarships were John Thompson and Kelly Simon, both Nanuet High School graduates.

Each year, the Nanuet Rotary gives out two scholarships, one for $1,500 a year for four years and another for $500 to a student entering a technical or two-year program.

Simon earned the $6,000 scholarship, the biggest one given out at Nanuet High School’s senior awards ceremony, which she will use when she attends the University of Scranton next year. She said she plans on studying occupational therapy.

Simon not only had exceptional grades, according to the Nanuet Rotary Scholarship Foundation board, but she did a lot of community service and volunteering. Simon was also a girl scout and worked to help those less fortunate in the community.

Thompson earned the $500 scholarship which he will use to attend either Rockland Community College of the Connecticut School of Broadcasting. Thompson said he hopes to go into sports broadcasting as a profession. He currently interns for the Rockland Boulders and said that either school he goes to will allow him to stay home.

“I’m excited about working in the community and helping in any way I can,” he said.

The Nanuet Rotary Scholarship Foundation started in 1990, and the money given out each year is collected by the group through fundraising efforts done throughout the year. This year, the Rotary put on a at Nanuet High School to raise money.

Jim Damiani, a board member on the foundation and past president of the rotary, said about 15 applications came in this year for the scholarship. He said they look at community service, school service and need.