Shawn Nowlin
shawn.nowlin@ourvalley.org
The Kiwanis Club of Salem recently gave scholarships to high school graduates furthering their education in the fall. To qualify for the scholarships, local students needed two references and must have already been accepted to a college or university. While grade point averages were a factor, students with community involvement and integrity were viewed more favorably.
Last week, the four scholarship recipients were announced: Christian Crawley, Emma Painter, Ethan Shaw and Mary King. Two of the winners, Crawley and Shaw, plan on attending Virginia Tech while Painter and King intend on starting classes sometime this year at the University of Virginia and Radford University, respectively.
Current board member Susan Mini has been involved with the Kiwanis club for over a decade. The scholarship giveaway is something that she looks forward to each year. When asked why she’s so passionate about providing financial assistance to students in need, she noted because “it’s a great way to give back to the community.”
Most of the money for the scholarships came from various fundraising events. The family of Bill Gore, a beloved former Kiwanis member, contributed to this year’s scholarship giveaways.
Kiwanis group is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time. “College is currently so expensive and yet it is essential to gain the experience, knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a career and life. Kiwanis feels that it is important to support our youth in this very important and costly mission,” Mini said.
She added, “It means so much to be able to meet with such good people on a weekly basis to not only share the ups and downs of life, but also to give back to the community that gives us so much each day. Serving is a blessing and what gives life meaning.”
Because of COVID-19 fears, only select schools are currently embracing a full return to in-person classes in the fall. Reopening plans vary all across the country.
Mary’s parents, Chad and Crystal King, could not be prouder of their daughter. The same goes for Ethan’s parents, Alice and Rick Shaw; Christian’s parents, Amy and Michael Crawley; and Emma’s parents, Mike and Judith Painter. Mini encouraged each recipient to give back and wished them well as they get ready to start the next chapter of their lives.
The Kiwanis Club of Salem has given more than $20,000 in college scholarships over the years.
