Two Richland One seniors awarded $20,000 Rotary Club scholarships
June 3, 2024
Two Richland One seniors have been selected to receive $20,000 scholarships from the Columbia Rotary Club. W.J. Keenan High School senior Aarav Patel and Eau Claire High School senior James Sumter will receive $2,500 each semester for a total of four years.
W.J. Keenan High School senior Aarav Patel was honored as one of two recipients of the Columbia Rotary Club scholarship during the club’s scholarship recognition day May 20 at Seawell’s. From left to right are: Charu Bakshi, W.J. Keenan AP Calculus teacher; Aarav Patel, W.J. Keenan senior; Richland One Superintendent Dr. Craig Witherspoon; and Dr. Susan Elkins, chancellor of the University of South Carolina’s Palmetto College. Bakshi was named a “Teacher Who Made a Difference” by the Rotary Club.
Eau Claire High School senior James Sumter was honored as one of two recipients of the Columbia Rotary Club scholarship during the club’s scholarship recognition day May 20 at Seawell’s. From left to right are: Teresa Anderson, Eau Claire AP U.S. History teacher; James Sumter, Eau Claire senior; Richland One Superintendent Dr. Craig Witherspoon; and Dr. Susan Elkins, chancellor of the University of South Carolina’s Palmetto College. Anderson was named a “Teacher Who Made a Difference” by the Rotary Club.
Aarav and James were honored during the Columbia Rotary Club’s scholarship recognition day May 20 at Seawell’s in Columbia.
Both students will be attending the University of South Carolina in the fall. Aarav will be studying neuroscience, and James will major in computer engineering and minor in music.
Fourteen local high school students applied for the scholarship. Applicants had to write an essay about why they want the scholarship, send two letters of recommendation and take part in an in-person interview.
During the interview for the scholarship, students were asked to name a teacher or counselor they believe made a difference in their lives. Aarav selected W.J. Keenan AP Calculus teacher Charu Bakshi. James selected Eau Claire AP U.S. History teacher Teresa Anderson. Both teachers received plaques from the Rotary Club for its “Teachers Who Made a Difference” award and were recognized during the organization’s scholarship recognition day.
