FOREST GROVE, Oregon (June 19, 2021) – The challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic did not keep the Rotary Club of Forest Grove from following through on one of its major annual projects as eight local high school students received $12,000 in college scholarships from the club.

Five students from Forest Grove High School and three students from Banks High School will receive one-time scholarships varying from $500 to $2,000.

A total of 14 students applied for the scholarship program, which is normally funded through proceeds from the Rotary Club of Forest Grove’s annual Concours d’Elegance car show. With the 2020 and 2021 Concours shows canceled due to the pandemic, scholarships were funded through the club’s rainy day fund and proceeds from a series of steak sales the club has conducted over the last year.

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

“I am incredibly grateful to our club for their support and generosity towards the scholarship program this year,” said Scholarship Committee Chair Sharon Olmstead. “It is wonderful that we were still able to provide local students scholarships towards their higher education.”

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 eight awarded scholarships, the club provided a gift to Pacific University to award scholarships to first-year students from the area. As none of this year’s applicants applied to attend Pacific, those funds will be held in reserve for use in 2022.

Over the last 48 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.

With the cancellations of the Concours in 2020 and 2021, donations to the scholarship program are being encouraged to help Rotary award scholarships for seniors in the 2020-21 academic year.

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.

2021 ROTARY CLUB OF FOREST GROVE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Forest Grove High School: Emily Andrade-Gonzalez, Kaylyn Brennan, Elizbaeth Lohrer, Amanda Rebsom, Robert Wardell

Banks High School: Cade Buchanan, Camila Narvaez, Lillia Schoegje

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.