Rotary scholarships awarded to Marlin High School seniors

Congratulations to Portia Jones, Jaasiah Roddy-Robinson, and Praiyer Jones!  As 2023 Rotary Scholarship awardees, they join 350,000 recipients of the Rotary Scholastic Award. Each year, $7.5 million in scholarships, on average, are given out by Rotary. This year’s presentations were made by Rotarian Jimi Lynn on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at the Marlin High School Auditorium. 

As part of Rotary International’s mission and vision, the Rotary Club of Marlin offers academic scholarships to graduating high school seniors seeking a four-year degree, two-year degree or certification. 

In awarding scholarships, Rotary Club of Marlin does not seek students with perfect credentials, but rather seeks students with the potential to do well academically, to thrive in the workplace, and to be of service to their communities in the Rotary tradition of Service above Self. We aim to award scholarships to students for whom scholarship funds will have the greatest impact.

Jaasiah Roddy-Robinson is the child of Joyce Mitchell. Jaaisia earned a 3.8 GPA and was absent only one day during the 2022-2023 academic year. The characteristics by which this student lives are persistence and personal accountability.

Portia Jones is the child of Shemecka Bennett. She will attend the University of Texas at Arlington, where she will prepare to become an athletic trainer at a high school. Time management and consistency are just two of Portia’s accomplishments throughout her high school years.

Praiyer Jones is the child of Cliff Jones and Brandolyn Jones. He will attend University of Louisiana at Lafayette where he will major in Computer Science Engineering with a minor in Business Administration. His plans include training as a shot-putter for the Olympic Games and continuing towards a Masters Degree in Software Engineering.

Rotary Club President Letitia Estep comments, “To each scholarship recipient, we hope this scholarship will make a lasting impact on your life and help you achieve your educational goals and become a contributing responsible member of your community. We encourage every student to look for community service opportunities throughout their academic career and afterwards, and we invite you to attend any of our Rotary meetings or reach out to us to participate in community service activities. This is your community; you are important.”

Rotary Club of Marlin Scholarship Chair Jimi Lynn encourages, “Rising Seniors can begin preparing their application for a 2024 Rotary scholarship. A copy of the application can be procured from Rockney Terry.”

At Rotary Clubs worldwide, members use the Four-Way Test to guide their personal and professional relationships. Of the things we think, say, or do: Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Congratulations, Jaasiah, Portia, and Praiyer from the Rotary Club of Marlin!