Rotary gives more than $70,000 in scholarships

MOSES LAKE — The Rotary Club of Moses Lake gave 15 local students a boost with more than $70,000 in scholarships, according to President Sean Jenks.

“(We want) to recognize these kids for their hard work, and the sacrifice of past Rotarians that have made this possible in our community,” Jenks said. “Rotarians are just glad to be able to help people succeed in life.”

Five of the students are set to graduate high school this year, according to an announcement from the Rotary Club, and another 10 are already enrolled in some kind of post-secondary education. It can be a traditional four-year college or university, Jenks said, but it doesn’t have to be. Students can also be enrolled in a technical or trade school.

“We’ve given away money to diesel mechanics (students), nursing (students), med students, aviation students,” he said. “We had one kid who was going to welding school. It’s very hands-on.”

This year’s recipients include students studying agriculture management, business, computer science, medicine and nursing, according to the announcement.

Although it’s the Rotary Club of Moses Lake that gives the scholarships, the students aren’t necessarily from Moses Lake. Students from other nearby communities are invited to apply as well, Jenks said. The application period starts in mid-November and goes through February. A committee reviews the applications, and then the students who are selected are brought in for individual interviews in March. The students selected from among those interviewed are notified about a week later and told how much money they’ll receive and recognized at a banquet in May.

“(The amount is) based on what their plans are, what the level of need is and what they’ve done to prepare themselves,” Jenks said.

The Rotary Club of Moses Lake has been awarding scholarships to graduating seniors since 1954, and the Rotary Scholarship Foundation was formed in 1979 as a separate fund, according to the announcement. The RSF awards scholarships to students already on their way down their educational path, Jenks explained. The fund currently stands at about $1 million, and the scholarships are paid from the interest on that money every year without touching the principal.

“This was all made possible by people in our local community who donated to this fund,” Jenks said.

More information on Rotary scholarships can be found at rotarymoseslake.org/scholarships.

2026-27 scholarship winners

Rotary Club of Moses Lake: Jaycie Blodgett, Kayla Heeney, Pedro Lopez, Makayla Lustig, Bryan Sario.

Rotary Scholarship Foundation: Darby Bechyne, Nolan Betz, Kathryn DuVall, Maria Gutierrez, Daniel Heeney, Jycelle Dominguez Rojas, Kevin Rodriquez-Delgado, Brandon Swinger, Kason Whitaker, Conner Willis.