At its May 12 meeting, the Rotary Club of Jacksonville recognized the accomplishments of three high school seniors 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 two $2,000 Rotary Club of Jacksonville Scholarships. In order to receive the scholarships, the recipients must be outstanding students who engage in community service and leadership positions. The Rotary scholarships are open to all students who live within the boundaries of Jacksonville School District 117, regardless of the school they attend. The SSG Matthew Weikert scholarship recognizes service and leadership, and targets – but is not limited to – Jacksonville High School graduates/seniors who are returning to school or are seeking two-year programs.
Rotary Club President Lisa Kluge 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.”
JHS student William Weger, son of Dennis and Cindy Weger was selected for the $1,000 SSG Matthew Weikert Scholarship. Weger’s service resumé includes: Saturday Science volunteer, bell ringer for the Salvation Army, cleaning Jacksonville Community Park, bird banding record keeper and identifier, JHS Crimson Mentor, and Camp Invention volunteer and councilor. He also was the vice president of the JHS National Honor Society. Weger will be attending University of Central Missouri where he will study wildlife and natural resource conservation.
Routt Catholic High School student Julia Beeley, daughter of Chad and Stacy Beeley, was selected for the $2,000 Rotary Club of Jacksonville Scholarship and also has an extensive record of service and leadership. She has volunteered for Toys for Tots and Routt Service Club, tutored for Our Saviour School (OSS) and Routt Catholic High School, served as assistant volleyball coach at OSS, and extraordinary eucharistic minister at Our Saviour Catholic Church. She held positions of Student Council Class Treasurer, Student Body Treasurer, 4-H Club Vice President and Secretary, National English Honor Society President, and was Volleyball Captain. Beeley will be attending University of South Carolina, studying international business.
Westfair Christian Academy student Amelia Bordean, daughter of Jonathan and Amy Bordean, was also selected for the $2,000 Rotary Club of Jacksonville Scholarship due to her extensive resumé of community service and leadership, which includes: teaching Bible study at several grade levels at the Illinois School for the Deaf, volunteering for the Italian buffet fundraiser at Westfair, and interpreting for deaf students at Fitness World volleyball leagues. She is the president of the Westfair National Honor Society, Valedictorian at her school, a four-time honor student, yearbook editor, and a Rotary Scholar-Athlete. Bordean will be attending a Christian college where she will study social work and psychology.
(L-R) William Weger, Amelia Bordean, and Julia Beeley.