The Rotary Club of Jacksonville recently recognized the accomplishments of four high school students by providing them with college scholarships.

The awards were made as part of the Rotary Club’s scholarship program, which provided one $1,000 college scholarship in memory of Staff Sergeant Matthew Weikert, and three $2,000 Jacksonville Rotary Scholarships. The scholarships are open to all students who live within the boundaries of Jacksonville School District 117, regardless of the school they attend.

Rotary Club President Daniel Lepper said, “Our goal for these scholarships is to assist future leaders as they take the next step towards achieving their academic goals. Our scholarship recipients are very accomplished young people, and we look forward to seeing what they achieve in the future.”

The Jacksonville Rotary Scholarship strives to find the best candidates that exhibit service above self, leadership, and career goals that can be obtained through a college education. This year’s recipients portray these ideals in an exemplary fashion.

Jack Borgman is a Jacksonville High School graduate. He has been awarded a $2,000 Jacksonville Rotary Scholarship. He is very active in his church through mission trips, teaching Sunday School and VBS, and participating in and leading various community service projects. He performs community service with the Morgan County Fair, the Salvation Army, Kiwanis, YMCA Swim Team, JHS Saturday Science, and JHS German Ambassador. He demonstrates his leadership as the JHS Swim Team Captain, a JHS Crimson Mentor, a JHS German Ambassador, and the Youth Representative on the Administrative Council at Centenary Church. However, the most unique fact about this candidate was the fact he has a pilot’s license. He plans to become a professional pilot.

Marilyn Dichsen is a graduate of Classical Conversations Homeschool Co-op. She has been awarded a $2,000 Jacksonville Rotary Scholarship. She is very active in her church through Doorbell Dinners, Street Cleanup, many church related food services, Community Christmas Caroling, Church Reader, Church Musician, and Rexroat Log Cabin Days music ensemble. She demonstrated her leadership on the Yearbook staff, the annual talent show, and mock trial at school. She leads in her church as a Youth Ministry Team leader and Youth Representative for her church council. She is planning to major in communication and minor in music. Her ultimate goal is to someday write a young adult novel.

Jocelyn English is a graduate of Routt Catholic High School. She has been awarded a $2,000 Jacksonville Rotary Scholarship. Her community service includes crocheting baby blankets for New Directions, volunteering at Routt Kiddie Camps and being a member of the Jacksonville Area Youth for Change where she was involved in working with at-risk youth. She was the Class Secretary, the Student Body Secretary, held officer positions in NEHS and NHS, Captain of the football cheer team and the basketball cheer team. Her passion has always been working with children and the desire to be a teacher like her mother. She intends to get her degree in Elementary Education and return to Jacksonville to teach.

The Staff Sergeant Matthew Weikert scholarship is awarded in honor of SSG Matthew Weikert of Jacksonville, who died in 2010 while serving in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. Staff Sergeant Weikert was a graduate of Jacksonville High School. He was known for his leadership and his attitude of service above self. He served several tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan where he gave his life for his country and our freedom. The Staff Sergeant Matthew Weikert Scholarship strives to assist those candidates pursuing a trade or vocation through a Vocational School, Technical School, Community College, or other certificate programs.

Elijah Walker is a graduate of Walker Hill Academy. He has been awarded the $1,000 Staff Sergeant Matthew Weikert Scholarship. Elijah is an Eagle Scout. He is always looking for opportunities to serve his community. He is enrolling in the Workforce Program at Lincoln Land Community College in the HVAC program. When asked why he chose this path, he replied he wanted to learn something new. When asked how he could use this profession to help his community, without hesitation he replied he would give discounts to those in the community who struggle to pay for such services, specifically the elderly. This was demonstrated with his Eagle Scout project in which he performed repairs to his grandparents’ church because the members were unable to do the work themselves.

Lepper thanked Scholarship Committee members Todd Evans, Laurie Evans, Maddie Stevens, Breanna Pickens, Phyllis Lape, Cathy Jo Littleton Wahl, Jeremy Fennewald, Kelly Pool, and Committee Chair Susan Weikert.

More information about this topic can be obtained by contacting Weikert at 217-370-9595.