Burton – Each year, the Rotary Club of Burton-Middlefield awards three scholarships to local, well-deserving students. This year, they received more than 20 essay/applications. The winners, chosen by the club, were Gregory Wenner from Auburn Career Center, Samuel Pleva from Berkshire and Samuel Layman from Cardinal.
On June 9, at the Welshfield Inn, the winning students recited the winning essays in person for the Rotary membership. Greg discussed the responsibility he felt when the world shut down because of COVID. He set out to print 3-D masks and distributed them at no charge throughout the area. Sam Layman spoke of his desire to be Christ-like and described how he has given of himself in church and also how he supports other youth through Torchlight Youth Mentoring Alliance (formerly Big Brother and Big Sisters) as well as many other valuable causes. Sam Pleva, a young man who helped care for his family’s foster children, talked of his life of service to the foster siblings/parents and most recently taking on huge responsibility as his mother is suffering from a serious illness.
“This year’s applicants and their essays were some of the best I’ve read,” said Larry Fox, BMR president. “We are thrilled to have the privilege to be able to donate $2,500 (each) toward furthering their education.”
Jim Croup, with the help of many others, organizes this annual event. Visit https://portal.clubrunner.ca/5185/ for more information about the club activities.
