BRIDGTON — The Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club has created a new student awards program with a focus on exceptional volunteer contributions. Students at Lake Region High School are encouraged to apply for these Awards for Volunteer Service.

Beginning with this academic year 2023-24, the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club will award one member of the freshman, sophomore, and junior classes at Lake Region High School a ‘Volunteer Service Award’ to recognize exceptional volunteer contributions at the Lake Region High School or in the local community. Students who have made a serious and enduring commitment to volunteer service are encouraged to apply for this $250 award. Examples of exceptional service might include weekly tutoring of a student, volunteering regularly at a local non-profit organization, helping families with food insecurity, organizing a major fundraiser, or helping children learn a skill.

Volunteer service will also be the basis for two $1000 scholarships to seniors. The Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club will make one award to a student who will attend college or junior college and one award to a student who plans to have a technical vocation and will have expenses related to that work.

Longtime Rotarian Joanne Cohn remarked, ‘Rotarians in the Lake Region and around the world are devoted to supporting lasting positive changes through volunteer service. These awards are intended to honor high school students who share this commitment and in so doing, have made a significant contribution to LRHS or the community. We are excited about this new approach that will reward students who choose to give back to their communities.’

Applications for these awards may be obtained through the Guidance Dept. at Lake Region High School and should be returned to Ms. Jyselle Watkins. Members of the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club will interview finalists. The Volunteer Service Awards to the Classes of 2025, 2026, and 2027 as well as the $1000 senior scholarships will be presented in the spring at a special recognition breakfast hosted by the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club.

For more information, please contact Joanne Cohn at [email protected] or Jyselle Watkins at [email protected].