Jacqueline Paredes tops awards: Rotary presents $9,000 in scholarships

May 26, 2004
Santa Paula News

The Rotary Club of Santa Paula presented $9,000 in scholarships to graduating Santa Paula High School graduates, topping the $100,000 mark over the decades that the club has supported top students.

By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe Rotary Club of Santa Paula presented $9,000 in scholarships to graduating Santa Paula High School graduates, topping the $100,000 mark over the decades that the club has supported top students.The 54th Annual Rotary Scholarship Award Banquet was held at SPHS with dinner provided by the club’s acclaimed Barbecue Team.Honoring “some of Santa Paula’s finest graduating seniors out of a class of 314,” according to Scholarship Chairman Roy Lee, the scholarship program is a team effort between Rotary and the high school.Lee noted that Santa Paula is “rich in tradition, and for the past 54 years we have been building a tradition of our own,” the Rotary Scholarship Program.Through the club’s endowment fund, “Our committed local Rotarians yearly contributions and our annual Pumpkin Auction, we play a small but important part in helping young men and women acheive their dreams.”Lee added that the club’s promise is “simple. . .one graduating class at a time, one donation at a time,” representing a significant impact. “We are proud to reward those students who represent what Rotary is all about: hard work and integrity.”Rotarians Dr. David Gomez, the SPHS Superintendent, and SPESD Superintendent Dr. Luis Villegas helped to score the applications and a Rotary team interviewed each student.Sara M. Martinez, the SPHS Band principal bassist for four years, received the $500 Ed Roina Music Scholarship. Sara also has played with the school’s pep, jazz and marching bands and is considered a talented and dedicated musician.Amy Coleman ranked seventh in her class with a 4.28 GPA and a SAT score of 1100. A member of ASB, Amy helped with the Rotary Club’s New Teachers BBQ and Christmas Basket programs and was a member of the high school Rotary Interact Club. Amy received a $500 scholarship.Crystal Escamilla is ranked 22nd in her class with a 3.92 GPA. A member of the Human Services Academy, Crystal plans to pursue a career in medicine and is the first generation in her family to go on to college. Crystal received a $500 scholarship.
Janelle Hodgson, another $500 scholarship recipient, is ranked 25th in her class with a 3.92 GPA annd a 1080 SAT score. The ASB secretary, Janelle is a member of the Agricultural Academy, FFA and the Rotary Interact Club, participating in the Rotary Leadership Camp in Ojai.Andrea Limon, ranked 28th in her class with a 3.83 GPA and a SAT score of 1050, is a member of ASB, FFA and Rotary Interact Club, all while working part-time as an office assistant. Andrea also received a $500 scholarship.Ranked 56th in the class, Abel Mota has a 3.28 GPA. Abel has been a big brother tutor at Barbara Webster School, a teacher’s assistant at a local private school, and a member of the Rotary Interact Club for three years. A Human Services Academy student, Abel received a $500 scholarship. Claire Powers is ranked 23rd in her class with a 3.95 GPA and a SAT score of 1150. Claire attended the Rotary Youth Leadership Association Camp, is a member of Junior Farm Board and FFA, and found time to participate in SPHS sports and cheerlead. She also received a $500 scholarship.Nestor Quiroz, ranked 20th in his class with a 3.97 GPA and a 1010 SAT score, participated in the Mathematics Engineering and Science Achievement program for three years. A member of the SPHS cross-country track team, Nestor received a $500 scholarship.Ranked 18th in the class, Amy Wilbur has a 4.00 GPA and a SAT score of 1080. Amy has been a high school tutor, teachers assistant and a member of FFA. Amy also received a $500 Rotary Scholarship.A $1,000 scholarship was awarded to Elizabeth Rodriguez, who has ranked 1st in her class for two years with a 4.41 GPA. A 2003 recipient of the Rotary Junior Achievement Award, Elizabeth is a member of the Kiwanis Key Club.Fabian Mauricio received a $1,500 scholarship. Fabian is ranked 2nd in the class with a 4.5 GPA and is a member of the FFA, GATE, MESA and is the Interact Club President. He also received a 2003 Junior Achievement Award.The top 2004 Rotary Scholarship Award winner was Jacqueline Paredes. Jacqueline is ranked 3rd in her class with a 4.50 GPA. She participated in RYLA, the Key Club and as a tutor. Jacqueline also participated in sports and the school band. Jacqueline received $2,000 (to be awarded over a two-year period).The Rotary Club each year presents scholarships to outstanding students pursuing higher education at universities, community colleges and through vocational training.



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