COLUSA, CA (MPG) – The Colusa Rotary Club recognized eight graduating seniors with scholarships and two students with leadership awards during its luncheon on June 9.
Rotary Treasurer Amy Schmidt presented the awards and praised the students for their academic achievements, leadership, volunteer service and involvement in their schools and communities.
“This was so hard to do,” Schmidt said of the selection process. “These young people are so impressive. Their academics, leadership, all of it. It just was really a hard process to go through.”
Scholarship recipients included Fernando Rivera of Williams High School; Levi Velasquez and Olivia Roa of Maxwell High School; and Alaina Torres, Caeden Agnew, Mia Cowsert and Henry Jewett of Colusa High School.
While introducing the students, Schmidt highlighted their accomplishments in academics, agriculture, athletics, student leadership, volunteer work and extracurricular activities.
Velasquez earned recognition for his strong academic record, involvement in school clubs, sports, FFA and community service. Roa, Maxwell High School’s salutatorian, was recognized for her leadership roles, FFA accomplishments, service on the Colusa County Junior Fair Board and volunteer work.
Jewett impressed the scholarship committee with his dedication to agriculture and plans to pursue a career in the industry. Schmidt said his passion for agriculture left the committee optimistic about the future of farming in Colusa County.
Cowsert was recognized for writing, directing and coordinating a Stagehands Theatre production, while Agnew earned praise for her leadership, athletics, community service, 4-H participation and dance accomplishments.
Torres, Colusa High School’s valedictorian, was honored for her academic achievements, FFA involvement, participation on the Junior Fair Board and other accomplishments.
In addition to the scholarships, Rotary presented leadership awards to Madison Wolf and Henry Jewett for their volunteer service to the club, including helping at Rotary’s fundraising events.
Schmidt said the students represent some of the community’s brightest young leaders.
“I feel like our future is really bright because the things that they’ve already done are so impressive,” Schmidt said. “I think that’s one of the great things about our community is there’s so many opportunities for kids to really find a niche and grow in it and thrive.”