Skip to the main content
×

The College will be closed on Nov. 28 & 29 for Thanksgiving Break. There are no classes scheduled for Saturday or Sunday. Normal operations will resume on Monday, Dec. 2.

Rotary Club of Boca Raton Gives Scholarships for Trades

May 2021

The Rotary Club of Boca Raton has been making our community a better place to live, work and play since 1957, inspiring today’s youth to become tomorrow’s leaders. Joining Palm Beach State in its mission to transform lives, the Rotary Club has partnered with the College’s Rapid Credentialing Program to create lasting change for Palm Beach County.

The Rotary Club’s Board recently created three new scholarship programs at Palm Beach State to assist students who are interested in three vital areas of local industries: Diesel Systems, Marine Service and Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Technology.

The Rotary Club now sponsors two scholarships in each of these trades programs as well as a number of general scholarships. Palm Beach State’s Eligio Marquez Jr., Transportation Service Technology Programs Director, and Lynnmarie Highsmith, Trade and Industry Program Director, coordinated the selection of recipients for the Rotary’s trades scholarships for the current school year.

  • Diesel Systems Technician: Nathan Kengle
  • HVAC Technology: Huver Mederos-Chavez, Michael James Lauro II
  • Marine Service Technology: Brianna Martin, Daniel Stanhoff

Beyond tuition, scholarships cover all program tools, exams and certifications for students, who meet criteria by achieving required grades, responding to essay prompts and demonstrating dedication to personal excellence.  In addition, all scholarship recipients are paired with a Rotarian mentor, providing career and personal guidance, particularly helpful as many individuals are first-generation in college students.

Brianna Martin, completing her Marine Service Technology program, appreciates the Rotary Club’s scholarship, which has allowed her to pursue a dream career. “Without this scholarship I don’t know if I could have continued my schooling. I will forever be grateful and hope that one day I can pay it forward.”

 

The Rotary Club’s $50,000 gift goes beyond scholarships for students; it is an investment in today’s young people, living up to the Club’s motto to put “Service above Self.”

For over six decades, the Rotary Club of Boca Raton has been underwriting college scholarships for local deserving students through the Club’s Changing Lives and Building Futures scholarship program. Because of the generosity of local donors and Rotarian members, these scholarships are sustaining the young men and women of our community in their pursuit of academic and career dreams.

Pia Giannone, Scholarship Liaison for the Rotary Club, makes clear the significance that academic scholarships have on Palm Beach County. “Investing in education is the greatest gift we can give to young people today. By helping them navigate their academic and career paths, we’re also helping the community to prosper with highly-skilled professionals.”

Since its inception, the Rotary Club’s scholarship program has aided more than 300 students with over $1.2 million. Today, the Rotary Club of Boca Raton and Palm Beach State College are demonstrating how the promise of higher education can impact not only an individual but also an entire community.

Print page