 Rotary Champions will celebrate its
26th anniversary on Tuesday, May 4, 2010.
Letter from a Champion
Dear Mr. Gaines and Rotary Members, I wanted to write to thank you extensively for the scholarship that I have received over the past four years towards my Yale University education. It has helped and meant a lot and, hopefully, one day I will be able to help foster and endorse the attainability of academic goals just as the Rotary has done for me. Your scholarship has allowed me to pursue my major of History of Science, History of Medicine with a concentration in Biotechnology and its Application. After graduation this May, I will pursue my Master's in Public Health, specifically in Health Policy or Health Economics. After obtaining my Master's, I will attend medical school with the hopes of becoming a pediatric radiologist. You have contributed to the foundation allowing me to pursue these goals; I will never be able to thank you enough.
Regards,
Christina Cutter
Yale University
Davenport College 2009
| The Rotary Champions program provides recognition and scholarships to outstanding high school students in the Pikes Peak region. Students are nominated by their high school administrators, athletic directors and coaches based upon their academic, athletic and community service accomplishments.
Each May, an awards ceremony is held to honor the hundreds of students that have been nominated during the year and to select twenty-four medallion winners, one for each of the recognized sports. Two overall Champions, the top male and top female nominees are awarded college scholarships.
Also, the "Ian Weikel Champion of Service Award" is given to the student that most exemplifies the spirit of community service. The recipient of this prestigious award is given the opportunity to direct a $500 cash donation to the local charity of his or her choice. This cash award is made possible by the Pikes Peak Area Rotary Endowment.
Jesse Kurtz, news anchor for KKTV 11 News, functions as the Master of Ceremonies. A noted guest speaker provides a brief motivational speech and presents the medallions to the twenty-four winners. This past year's speaker was
Hugh McCutcheon, Coach of the USA Men's Gold Medal Volleyball Team.
Lynne Cox, world champion open-water swimmer, author and Los Angeles Times "Woman of the Year" was the guest speaker in 2008.
The 2010 event will feature Justin Armour, a former Rotary Champion and former professional football player.
Since the program's inception, over 8,000 students have been honored, over 525 medallions have been presented and 40 college scholarships have been awarded. Last year more than 1,300 students and their families were in attendance. This year's event promises to be another great success!
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