At a dinner meeting hosted by the Park West Lions Club, fourteen local students were recently honored with scholarships. The recipients, listed from left to right, include:
Front row:
- Ella Nhek, Gainesville High School
- Allison Lockhart, Battlefield High School
- Kelsey Buckman, Battlefield High School
- Alana Cadoff, Battlefield High School
- Isabella Rivera-Maldonado, Gainesville High School
- Kearstin Safford, Gainesville High School
Back row:
- Marina Buskey, Battlefield High School
- Cameron Turner, Patriot High School
- Grant Johnson, Patriot High School
- Sierra Shingler, Battlefield High School
- Joy Park, Gainesville High School
- Kate Firehammer
Two recipients were unable to attend the event: Vijay Bruot from Battlefield High School and Matthew Guo from Gainesville High School.
Presentations were made by Park West Lions Club President Rose Bielec.
Jim Williams, the Scholarship Chairperson, emphasized the competitiveness of the selection process due to the numerous applications received. The Grade Point Averages and transcripts, although important, were only one aspect considered in choosing the final recipients. Since the Park-West Lions Club is a service organization and part of the largest volunteer non-profit organization globally, the Scholarship Committee also evaluated the quantity and quality of service and volunteer hours contributed by the applicants to the community. Notably, each recipient had dedicated a significant amount of time to various projects.
Kate Firehammer was awarded the Joe Lipomi Memorial Scholarship by the Virginia Lions Eye Institute.
The scholarship recipients will enroll in the following educational institutions:
| Vijay D. Bruot | University of Virginia |
| Kelsey A. Buckman | University of Virginia |
| Marina L. Buskey | James Madison University |
| Alana M. Cadoff | University of Michigan |
| Kate Firehammer | VA Commonwealth Univiversity |
| Matthew S. Guo | James Madison University |
| Grant A. Johnson | James Madison University |
| Allison F. Lockhart | Ohio State University |
| Ella D. Nhek | George Mason University |
| Joy W. Park | Georgetown University |
| Isabella I. Rivera-Maldonado | James Madison University |
| Kearstin H. Safford | Univ. of Mary Washington |
| Sierra C. Shingler | George Mason University |
| Camerib E. Turner | Christopher Newport University |
The Park West Lions are a group of volunteers dedicated to serving humanitarian causes. We are part of the International Lions Clubs, the world’s largest service organization. Our mission is to serve those in need through fundraisers and service projects. Our commitment is evident in our motto “We Serve.” To become a member of the Park West Lions and contribute to our impactful work, please visit our website at www.parkwestlions.org.