The season for scholarship presentations, a prelude to high school graduations, is underway. Four Calvert County students each received $2,000 scholarships Monday, May 21 from the Rotary Club of Prince Frederick.

โ€œAs a club we work very hard to raise money for these scholarships,โ€ said Dr. Eugene Karol, the chairman of the local Rotary Clubโ€™s Scholarship Committee. โ€œItโ€™s an important local project.โ€

Karol, a former Calvert County Public Schools superintendent and current school board member, commended his five fellow committee members for handling the tough task of deciding who will receive the grants. This year applying students were asked to write an essay.

This yearโ€™s recipients are the following students.

Kelly Collins is a graduating senior from Calvert High School. Collins received one of two โ€œacademicโ€ awards. She has been accepted to Gettysburg College and will major in environmental studies.

Emily Allan is a graduating senior from Huntingtown High School (HHS). Allan received the second academic award. She plans to attend the University of Maryland College Park and major in business.

Alexandra Vendemia, a graduating senior from HHS. Vendemia is the recipient of the local clubโ€™s Eddie Allen Vocational Scholarship. She will be attending the University of Maryland College Park and hopes to pursue a career in physical therapy/kinesiology.

Coral Keller is a graduating senior from HHS. Keller is receiving the clubโ€™s Brian Albright Scholarship, named in memory of a scientist from the University of Maryland Estuarine Research Center. Keller will be attending Cornell University and pursuing studies in environmental engineering.

โ€œYour parents are very proud of what youโ€™ve accomplished,โ€ said Karol.

In addition to recognizing the scholarship winners, the Rotary Club of Prince Frederick saluted four Patuxent High School (PHS) students during their May 21 dinner meeting at Stoneyโ€™s Restaurant. Club President Martha Canfield introduced students Ruth Cooper, Sophie Lellis-Petrie and Kate Barrett as the new officers of the PHS Interact Club. The students were accompanied by the clubโ€™s moderator, PHS Spanish teacher Anna Price