Rotary Awards Scholarships at North Haven High School

A message from the North Haven Rotary Club:

At a recent breakfast meeting for the club, Principal of North Haven High School Dr. Russell Dallai introduced six of the recipients in attendance stating, “On behalf of the high school, I extend my sincere thanks to the North Haven Rotarians for their continuing support of our students. Today's meeting celebrated the distribution of seven one-thousand dollar checks to graduating seniors. These students are a credit to our school and community.”  

The six students present briefly described their NHHS experience, expressed their gratitude to the club, and mentioned their plans for the future.

Amelia Hoyt began by saying, “I’d like to sincerely thank the North Haven Rotary Club for honoring me with this scholarship.  Throughout my entire life I’ve seen how the Rotary Club has been a generous donor to our community, and while participating on the soccer, fencing, and tennis teams these last four years, I’ve tried my best to follow the Rotary Club motto of “service above self”.  Amelia, who was captain of the fencing and tennis teams, said that she has worked hard during her high school years, but it has paid off for her. As one of the top ten students, she is off to Tufts University double majoring in biomedical engineering and computer science.  She said that one of her goals in life is “to give back to our community through new developments in pharmaceutical research.”  In thanking the club she said, “I am so grateful for the support the Rotary has given me today to help me achieve that goal.” 

The valedictorian of the class, Matthew Marccarelli, also sincerely thanked the audience for the award.  In the fall he is off to a small liberal arts school in Massachusetts known as Williams College. Interested in both geology and economics, he said that he is unsure of his major at this time. Indicating that the college that he chose is very costly, he described the scholarship as “a blessing at a time of great need”.  One of his promised goals for the future is to give back to his community.  

Serving as captain of the Math Team, secretary of the KEY Club, and secretary of the Asian Club, Julie Cheung was also on the Student Council, the National Honor  Society, the Spanish Honor Society, the Science Honor Society, and in Future Problem Solving. As to community involvement, Julie participated in the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk-a-thon, and as a teaching assistant both at the Southern  Connecticut Chinese School and Sunkids Academy.  Her goal is to become a pediatrician.  Julie said, “I really appreciate, and am forever thankful to, the North Haven Rotary Club for their contribution towards helping me to achieve my dream”. 

Aria Elahi has been involved in a variety of clubs throughout high school including the KEY Club, Asian Club, Math Team, Spanish Club, National Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta; but the one that seemed most important to him was serving as Co-President of the Humanitarian Aid Club. He opened his comments saying, “It is with great honor, respect, and humility that I accept this award. The greatest thing that I have learned is that the hero in the end is not the man who succeeds in everything, but the man who keeps on going when he has failed everything.”  In expressing his gratitude he said, “I must thank all the members of the Rotary Club who desire more than anyone to make opportunities available to all those who have none, and lending a hand to people like me, who share the beauty of their dreams.” 

While attending high school Tracy Buchele has been involved in the Rotary sponsored  Interact Club, Humanitarian Aid Club, and the New Haven Downtown Soup Kitchen, all of which she found to be rewarding experiences because they all touched her life in a personal way and she hoped it was as valuable to those she helped. Her plans include attending Northeastern University in Boston in a pre-med program.  Tracy said “I greatly appreciate all of your support and the financial aid that you have provided me to continue my education.”

Theresa DeFalco appeared to be a very well rounded young lady.  Although she spent a fair amount of time in high school on various sports teams such as soccer, basketball, and softball, she was able to balance that with her studies where she was selected for the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society), and the Spanish Honor Society.  In addition, she was a camp counselor, and taught second grade religious education classes. As she thanked the Rotary Club she added, “I will continue in community service extra-curricular activities during my college years. My goal is to help others.”

In closing, Dr. Dallai said, “As I watched them accept their scholarships today, reflect on their achievements, and give thanks to the Rotary Club, I realized just how ready they are for their university work and adulthood. I am as proud of them as I am grateful to the Rotary members for their generosity.” 

Text and photo courtesy of David Marchesseault and George Guertin, Rotary PR Committee.