Long Neck Sunrise Rotary awards Service Above Self scholarships

Long Neck Sunrise Rotary Club recently awarded Service Above Self Scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each to four Sussex Central High School seniors.

Honorees are Juliet Calixto Coconi, Vilmaris Rivera-Morales, Dulce Sontay-Pelico and Evelyn Velasquez-Velasquez. Recipients can choose if their monetary award will be sent to the college they will be attending for tuition costs or used to defray the student’s expenses for computers and books.

A committee from Long Neck Sunrise Rotary Club reviewed applications for merit, considering academic performance, financial need and an exhibition of community service to fit with Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self. Students who are Sussex Central Interact Club members were given special consideration.

“This is always a tough decision for us,” said Christine Tomalin, who managed the application and award process. “We had more qualified candidates than we could award, but fortunately one of the students applying had received significant financial aid elsewhere. We are continually overwhelmed by how amazing these students are.”

Juliet Calixto Coconi is planning to pursue a degree in nursing and will be attending the University of Delaware in the fall.

Vilmaris Rivera-Morales plans to major in finance at the University of Delaware.

Dulce Sontay-Pelico will be attending the University of Delaware studying business management and marketing with a goal to start her own business in film production or food products. 

Evelyn Velasquez-Velasquez also plans to pursue a career in nursing and will attend the University of Delaware in the fall.