Simi Sunrise Rotary Awards $25,000 to 49 Graduating Seniors
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — Forty-nine graduating seniors from local high schools received a combined $25,000 in scholarships from the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise at a special ceremony where students shared their college plans with club members and families.
The scholarships went to students from six schools: Simi Valley High School, Royal High School, Santa Susana High School, Apollo High School, Monte Vista School, Grace Brethren School, and Simi Institute. Recipients were chosen based on academic achievement, financial need, community involvement and school service.
Three memorial scholarships recognized students who demonstrated exceptional leadership and community service. Lara El Awar from Simi Valley High School received the Savi Bhim One World One Rotary Scholarship. Gage Oxley from Monte Vista School was awarded the Rob Hitchcock Memorial Scholarship. Priyaank Srinivasan from Simi Valley High School received the Blommendahl Memorial Scholarship.
At the recent award ceremony, students presented their future educational plans to Rotary members, parents, grandparents and friends. The recipients are heading to colleges, universities and specialized programs across the country.
"These scholarships reflect our commitment to supporting students as they pursue their educational dreams and future careers," said Dr. Kathryn Scroggin, chair of the scholarship committee. "We are honored to recognize these exceptional young individuals and help invest in their future success."
Simi Valley High School had the largest group of recipients with 17 students, followed by Royal High School with 11 recipients. Santa Susana High School contributed 11 scholarship winners, while Apollo High School had three recipients. Monte Vista School and Grace Brethren School each had multiple recipients, and Simi Institute had one winner.
The scholarship program represents one of several charitable initiatives by the service club. The Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise, founded in 1986, funds these scholarships through various fundraising events throughout the year. The organization also supports local and international charitable causes.
The club consists of community and business leaders who meet weekly on Thursday mornings at 7 a.m. at the Best Western Posada Royale. These breakfast meetings feature fellowship and presentations from guest speakers on topics relevant to the community.
This year's scholarship distribution continues the club's tradition of investing in local students who demonstrate academic promise and community engagement. The awards help bridge the gap between college costs and family resources for students entering their next phase of education.
The recipients represent diverse academic interests and career paths. Many plan to attend California universities, while others will pursue specialized programs or attend colleges in other states. Their chosen fields of study span from traditional academic disciplines to technical and professional programs.
For students and families managing college expenses, these scholarships provide meaningful financial support during the transition from high school to higher education. The awards also recognize students who balanced academic success with community service and school involvement.
The Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise continues accepting new members from the business and professional community. Information about membership and club activities is available on their website at rotaryclubofsimisunrise.org.
