2014 Elmira Rotary Youth Salute
The Elmira Rotary Club honored two dozen Chemung County high school seniors on Tuesday, giving $4,500 in scholarships to three of them.
Seniors from Elmira and Notre Dame high schools and Twin Tiers Christian Academy were celebrated at the 27th annual Youth Salute, held at the Holiday Inn-Riverview in Elmira.
The students were selected for the honors for their leadership, community involvement and academic achievement.
The three students who received scholarships are:
Erin Haggerty, of Elmira High School, $3,000; Gwendolyn Zwirko, of Notre Dame High School, $1,000, and Shelby Brost, of Elmira High School, $500.
Haggerty was described by Elmira High School Principal Chris Krantz as a rock star in her high school environment. "What makes her stand out is something she faced quietly and privately, dyslexia."
Haggerty wrote in her essay for the scholarship that dyslexia has taught her to be more patient and more organized and to work hard. "I know how to overcome failure," she wrote.
Guest speaker Paul Sartori, director of the Sullivan Trail Legal Society, encouraged the students to share their grace, gratitude and generosity with their community.
"You, I think, have the tools, unlike any time history and the talent ... and I commend you for your future," Sartori said.
The other 21 students honored were: Elmira High School — Alex Baker, Sierra Barr, Delaney Beckhorn, Lucas Cain, Brendan Collins, Michah Coons, Alexandra Dimon, Jordan Holmes, Faleasha Hoskins, Brandon James, Molly Keefe, Hunter Prior, Bryana Snyder, Kevin Strong, Jordan VanAlstine and Joshua Wilson; Notre Dame High School — Kaylyn Curran, Jack Haskell, Jason Lawes and Christine Schmidt; Twin Tiers Christian Academy, Steven Burns and Emily Roy.
The top 10 honorees were: Beckhorn, Brost, Burns, Curran, Haggerty, James, Roy, Snyder, Strong and Zwirko.
The top three students also received an honorarium from the Star-Gazette Fund for $250, $150 and $100, respectively.
The Rotary scholarship awards come from the proceeds of the "Dancing With Our Stars" fundraiser.
Source: Star Gazette: http://www.stargazette.com/story/news/local/2014/10/14/elmira-rotary-youth-salute/17265135/