Club President Dr. Richard Tesoriero presented framed certificates to the $1000 scholarship recipients. The scholarships will be paid to the students after the successful completion of their first and third semesters of college.

The Charles E. Riley Oswego Rotary Scholarship remembers the founding president (1927–1930) of the Oswego Rotary Club and former superintendent of the Oswego City School District, and is given to Jenna Ballard, daughter of Dave and Wendy Ballard. Ballard has studied piano, violin, and cello, and performed with many musical groups including All-County and All-State Orchestras. She played varsity volleyball and participated in Oswego County Academic Youth League, the Oswego High School Robotics Club, and National Honor Society. She will enroll at Johns Hopkins University to study biomedical engineering.

Olivia Flint, daughter of Jeff and Chalet Flint, received the Ralph & Dorothy Faust Oswego Rotary Scholarship. Mr. Faust served as president of the Oswego Rotary Club (1934–1935) and was formerly principal of Oswego High School. Flint participated in track and volleyball, the National Honor Society, and Student Council. She studied music in classes and private lessons and performed with many dramatic and musical groups including All-County and All-State Orchestras. She volunteered extensively in the community including services at Bishop’s Commons, the bookmobile, cancer fundraisers, community triathlons, and her Oswego Alliance Church. She will enroll at Houghton College to study music education.

The Manjula R. Shah Oswego Rotary Scholarship is given to Natasha Mezza, daughter of Joseph and Shari Mezza, in memory of Dr. Shah; physician, philanthropist, and dedicated Rotarian and is provided with generous support from the Tarandi Foundation. Mezza played volleyball and softball and was a member of S.A.D.D., the TV Club, and the National Honor Society. For the past six years she volunteered at The Manor at Seneca Hill Activities Department helping with transportation, recreational activities, and visitation. She will enroll at St. John Fisher College to study marketing and communications.

The Anthony J. Murabito Oswego Rotary Scholarship, is given in memory of the former principal of Oswego High School, an active member of the Oswego Rotary Club for more than 51 years, club president (1967 – 1968), and a leader and advocate for the Rotary scholarship program. The award is given to Isaac Annal, son of Timothy and Mary Annal. Annal has been active in sports and Student Council. Outside of school he contributed at Camp Rainbow of Hope, Trinity Catholic School, St. Baldrick, Relay of Life, and as an American Red Cross blood donor. He earned scholar athlete and honor roll recognitions. He will enroll at St. John Fisher College to study biology.

The Oswego Rotary Club, founded 89 years ago, raises money for scholarships through members’ dues and contributions, occasional memorial gifts, and fundraising projects. The club hosts the annual Top 100 Dinner to honor the accomplishments of the 25 top academic students in each of the four classes at Oswego High School. The club has established an endowment fund to help underwrite the scholarship program in the future. Gifts and bequests will be held in perpetuity, with only the earnings used for awards.

Members of the Scholarship Committee this year are George DeMass, Carrie Penoyer, Randy Zeigler, and Vernon Tryon.

Anyone having questions about membership in the Oswego Rotary Club or its scholarship program is invited to call Vernon Tryon, Membership Committee chairman, at 343-9692.