Nine recipients of 2023 Rotary Scholarships were honored at the club’s June 14 meeting. From left, Benjamin Mayo (Banks High School), Ashley Schoegje (Banks High School), Anne Nevis (Banks High School), Sydney Timm (Forest Grove High School), Celene Garcia Cervantes (Forest Grove High School), Alyssa Nguyen (Forest Grove High School), Matthew Lowther (Forest Grove High School), Ainsley Henry (Forest Grove High School) and Lizbeth Ortiz Santos (Forest Grove High School).

FOREST GROVE, Oregon (June 14, 2023) – After the most successful Forest Grove Concours d’Elegance in history, the Rotary Club of Forest Grove has awarded $22,000 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors.

Twelve students from Forest Grove High School, three students from Banks High School and one from Gaston High School will receive one-time scholarships varying from $1,000 to $2,000.

A total of 20 students applied for the scholarship program, which is funded through proceeds from the Rotary Club of Forest Grove’s annual Concours d’Elegance car show. The 2022 edition of the show raised $75,000, which directly benefits the club’s scholarship program and other community outreach initiatives.

Scholarship applications were judged on academic success, community service and financial need.

“With the success of last year’s Concours d’Elegance, we were excited to be able to award more scholarships and larger amounts of scholarships,” said Sharon Olmstead, chair of the club’s Scholarship Committee. “We had a great group of applicants and we had tough choices to make as a committee but we are excited to make awards to these 16 students.”

Applicants to the Rotary Club of Forest Grove Scholarship program must be graduating seniors residing in the Forest Grove, Banks and Gaston school district attendance areas. The funds are available to use for first-year tuition at any four-year college or vocational school in the United States.

In addition to the 16 awarded scholarships, the club also provided a contribution to an endowed scholarship that the Rotary Club of Forest Grove established at Pacific University in 2017. That scholarship is also used to benefit students from the Forest Grove, Banks and Gaston communities.

Over the last 49 years, proceeds from the Concours d’Elegance have been used by the Rotary Club of Forest Grove to award over $1 million in scholarships to local students. The 2023 edition of the Concours d’Elegance will take place on Sunday, July 16 on the campus of Pacific University.

In addition to proceeds from the Concours, individual donations to the scholarship program are accepted. Individuals wishing to donate can send checks (payable to the Foundation of the Rotary Club of Forest Grove) to the Rotary Club of Forest Grove, PO Box 125, Forest Grove, OR 97116, or can donate online at the club’s website, FGRotary.org.

2023 ROTARY CLUB OF FOREST GROVE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Forest Grove High School: Bryan Collins, Celene Garcia Cervantes, Kassandra Garcia Ramos, Anna Hansen, Ainsley Henry, Kaimalino Ingram, Matthew Lowther, Alyssa Nguyen, Allyson Ryall, Jessica Sanchez Pardo, Lizabeth Ortiz Santos, Sydney Timm
Banks High School: Asley Schoegje, Anne Nevis, Benjamin Mayo
Gaston High School: Luisa Diaz

ABOUT THE ROTARY CLUB OF FOREST GROVE: Established in 1924, the Rotary Club of Forest Grove is one of the oldest and largest Rotary clubs in the Portland metropolitan area.  Serving the communities of Forest Grove, Banks, Cornelius and Gaston, the Rotary Club of Forest Grove is a dynamic group of civic-minded business and community leaders, linked by Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self.” The Rotary Club of Forest Grove is dedicated to helping make our local communities a better place to live through the funding of local organizations, especially those focusing on youth, and through service in local projects. Membership in the Rotary Club of Forest Grove is open to anyone who wishes to make a difference in their community, and the world, through service. To learn more, visit FGRotary.org.