The spirit of service was on full display Wednesday morning as the Rotary Club of Chanhassen honored 18 graduating seniors with scholarships recognizing volunteerism, perseverance, mentorship and commitment to community.
More than 90 family members, friends, educators, Rotarians and community leaders filled the training room at Chanhassen City Hall for the annual Scholarship Awards Celebration Breakfast, creating a standing-room-only atmosphere that reflected the pride surrounding this year’s students.
Through the Chanhassen Rotary Foundation and additional support from community partners and donors, Rotary awarded $18,000 in Service Scholarships and $9,000 in STRIVE scholarships this year.
“Strong communities don’t happen by accident. They happen by people showing up to serve,” shared Rotary leaders during the celebration.
Scholarships were awarded to students from Chanhassen High School, Minnetonka High School, and the Integrated Arts Academy. Service Scholarship recipients were recognized for their volunteer service and involvement in school and community activities, while STRIVE students completed Rotary’s mentoring program focused on attendance, attitude and academic growth.
The STRIVE program — Students Taking Renewed Interest in the Value of Education — has roots in Minnesota and has helped students build confidence, mentorship connections and pathways to future success for decades. Local organizers say many mentor relationships continue long after graduation.
Speakers at the event included City of Chanhassen Mayor Elise Ryan, City Manager Laurie Hokkanen, Rotary President Rachel Igel, and scholarship leader and incoming Rotary President Rod Provart, who encouraged students to continue leading through service as they head into the next chapter of their lives.
At the close of the ceremony, each scholarship recipient received a celebratory yard sign for their family home — a visible reminder throughout the community of the students making a difference both inside and outside the classroom.
This year’s scholarship honorees included:
Chanhassen High School:
Zane Bacon, Caroline Williams, Benjamin Messervy, Elle Grussing, Emma Bloom, Kendal Grant, Lexi Garberg, Emma Stoddard, Molly Bremhorst, Anna Sofia Christensen, Addison Hildebrand and Emma Hanson-Syverson.
Integrated Arts Academy STRIVE recipients:
Samantha Baribeau, Vonisha Browder, Delanie Counts, Emiliano Lupin and Mark Klein.
