LEWISTON— The Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Club presented $10,500 in scholarships and awards to local students and community organizations on May 9 at the Ramada Inn. To raise the funds, Lewiston-Auburn Rotary conducted several fundraisers including an annual auction, Comedy Night, the Balloon Festival, selling poinsettias, spring flowers and more.

William Denehy, Vocational Service Committee chairman, was recognized with the Paul Harris Award. This award is presented to a Rotarian who has made a substantial contribution to humanitarian and educational programs.

The Interact Club, formed in 2011 as a youth partnership between Lewiston-Auburn Rotary and students at Lisbon High School, was in attendance. Some of their community projects consisting of more than 4,000 total volunteer hours and their recognition by WCSH6 Teens Who Care program were highlighted by Denehy, Interact Club liaison.

Individual Rotarians introduced the scholarship winners and each recipient then gave a prepared speech outlining their commitment to their communities. Stephanie Gelinas, club president, summarized the event, “I’m so proud to be a Rotarian and so inspired by the amazing young people in our community.”

The 2012 scholarship recipients were David Gagne, Edward Little High School; Lucy Knowlton, Leavitt Area High School; Nadifa Mohamed, Lewiston High School; Adam Thebeau, Lisbon High School; Sarah Desjardins, Oak Hill High School; Heidi Chipman, Poland Regional High School; and Mary Caron, St. Dominic Academy.

In addition to the scholarships to graduating high school seniors in Androscoggin County the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary presented community organizations with donations including $1,000 to the Franco-American Heritage Center, $500 to Root Cellar, $500 to Hope House, $500 to Trinity Jubilee Center, $500 to Book Reach and $500 to SEARCH.

For more information on the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary, go online to www.lewistonauburnrotary.org. Additional photos from the event are posted on www.facebook.com/LewistonMaineRotary.

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