Maricopa Rotary Club honors students

Four students selected as the Maricopa Rotary Club’s Student of the Month for September and October received their certificates during Wednesday’s Maricopa Unified School District governing board meeting.

Each student was given a Rotary Youth Merit Award, a gift certificate to Walmart and a copy of the four-way test, the four questions Rotarians ask themselves:
   • Is it the truth?
   • Is it fair to all concerned?
   • Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
   • Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Students earn the opportunity to apply for Rotary Club scholarships. Middle school students can earn a $250 scholarship for high school and high school students can apply for scholarships of $1,000 or more.

September and October winners were Melissa Gama and Karell Garcia, both 17-year-old seniors at Maricopa High School; Tucker Schaefer, 13, who attends Maricopa Wells Middle School; and Claytin Valenzuela, 14, who goes to Desert Winds Middle School.

Rotarian Eric Brown said last year the Maricopa Rotary chapter gave approximately $8,000 in scholarships and hopes to do the same this year.

Claytin was nominated by his teacher because not only does he excel scholastically but also because of his “great citizenship and great leadership skills,” Brown said.

Tucker, in addition to having a 4.0 GPA, volunteers at the Thunderbird Farms Arena. She counts rodeo as one of her extracurricular activities.

Melissa is in the National Junior Honor Society, the student council and plays basketball.

Karell is active in Key Club and volunteers in a variety of community activities.