Dearborn Rotary Club Awards Student Scholarships

This article was posted by Daniel Lai. It was written and reported by Margaret Blohm.

Each year the Rotary Club of Dearborn, through the Dearborn Rotary Foundation, honors Dearborn Public School students in up to 16 categories of vocational disciplines.

Students are recipients of the $1,500 Otto J. Rowen Scholarship.

Rowen, a former Dearborn Rotarian, who was an industrial arts teacher at Fordson High School and later became principal at Woodworth Junior High School in 1928. In his estate, Rowen established a fund to assist career technical education students and special education students.

Scholarship recipients are selected as the best representatives of each vocational area, demonstrate an interest in pursuing a career in their chosen vocation, show potential for future success in their field, and are recommended by their vocational instructors.

The scholarship funds may be used for classes, tuition, books, school fees and specialized equipment needed for the related vocational program for each student.  A unique aspect of this scholarship is that the student who is not planning to attend college or pursue additional formalized training can use the money for equipment needed in his or her field.

Students from the Dearborn Public School District are eligible. Ten high school seniors received scholarships at this year's 25th annual Otto J. Rowen Awards Banquet in May attended by 91 people.

Award winners included:

• Marisa Mitchell from Edsel Ford High School for automotive vocation. 
• Mohammad Sharara from Fordson High School for business education.
• Courtney Wensley from Dearborn High School for business education.
• Joana Aldrich from Dearborn High School and Michael Berry Career Center for culinary arts.
• Alyssa Major from Edsel Ford High School and Michael Berry Career Center for health occupations.
• Samantha Thacker from Edsel Ford and Michael Berry Career Center for health occupations.
• Nicole Williams from Fordson and Michael Berry Career Center for information technology.
• Michael Watson from Dearborn High for marketing education.
• Emmanuela Jannaro from Dearborn High for video production.
• Saqr Gelan from Edsel Ford for wood technology.

Rotarian Brian Whiston, superintendent of Dearborn Public Schools, spoke at the event. Dr. Winifred L. Green, principal of Michael Berry Career Center, presented the awards and described each student’s accomplishments with assistance from teacher Erica Fulton.

Rotarian Sue Surducan was chairwoman of the event, attended by Rotarians, students, parents and instructors.

Future endeavors for the honorees include architect, professional entertainment, supply chain management, physician, nurse, computer science, hospitality industry, accounting, CEO and mechanical engineering.

Schools they will attend include: Henry Ford Community College, Madonna University, Grand Valley State University, Michigan State, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Northwood University and Wayne State University.

Dearborn Rotarian Michael Sareini, a member of the six-person Otto J. Rowen Awards selection committee, stated: “The greatest thing for me was reading the essays and then having a chance to meet the people that wrote them. It was great to see young people that understand how important education is to their future, and can make the most out of the money available from the scholarships."

"It was an honor and a privilege to have served on the selection committee, and enjoy a great dinner with the students who received the scholarships," Sareini said.

The event ended with the group singing "God Bless America."

Visit the Rotary Club of Dearborn's website for information about scholarship opportunities.