Columbus Rotary Scholarships
Columbus Rotary, Arnold Sports Festival Partner
To Award College Scholarships To Young Athletes
The Columbus Rotary awarded nine $2,000 college scholarships to Arnold Sports Festival athletes in 2010, continuing a tradition established in 2006.
Each year scholarship are awarded to youth competitors by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and a Columbus Rotarian as a part of the Weekend’s festivities. The Columbus Rotary has provided scholarships totaling $69,000 in the past five years.
“Columbus Rotary is delighted to partner every year with the Arnold Sports Festival in recognizing academic and athletic excellence,” said Steve Sundre, chair of the Columbus Rotary Scholarship Committee. “Since inception, the Arnold Sports Festival has steadily increased its commitment to promising student athletes who strengthen their communities through service and seek opportunities to pursue a college education."
Jim Lorimer, producer of the Arnold Sports Festival, said, “Gov. Schwarzenegger and I originally conceived of The Arnold Sports Festival as an opportunity to celebrate excellence through sports performance. We value our partnership with the Columbus Rotary, and our joint commitment to youth demonstrated through these important scholarships.”
Scott Brown, executive director of Columbus Rotary adds, “The Arnold Sports Festival brings attendees from all over the world to Columbus. As a worldwide service organization, it is natural that Columbus Rotary welcomes these visitors to our community. We are also pleased to be able to recognize scholar athletes for their accomplishments through our scholarship awards.”
2010 Columbus Rotary Scholarship Winners
Boxing
Roland Molinere, III
St. Bourg, Louisiana
Roland Molinere at right with Arnold
Roland is studying nursing at L.E. Fletcher Community College in Louisiana. In his spare time, he helps keep younger fighters focused and works with fighters on down-time. His goal is to win an Olympic medal and become a professional boxer.
Cheerleading
Haley Imel
Bluffton, Indiana
Haley is a freshman at the University of Louisville, where she hopes to obtain a degree in Exercise Science. She also coaches and choreographs other cheerleading students. Haley als won a Rotary Scholaship in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Fencing
Adam Marcinkowsk
Ballston, New York
Adam attends Ballston Lake High School in Burnt Hill, NY. Adam also plays viola and piano. Other activities include Burnt Hills Rotary Club, Town in Bloom, and volunteering at Albany regional food bank in Saratoga County. Adam is also involved in BOCES – Head Start Program, Niskayuna Community Recreation Program – Learn to Fence. He also competes in track and field and cross country year round. Adam's goal is to attend the Air Force Academy and become an astronout.
Gymnastics
Victoria Aepli
Dublin, Ohio
Victoria attends Dublin Jerome High School. She is involved in classical piano, Ski Club and National Honor Society. Activities include Big Sister Program, Youth Church Group, Special Olympics, Octoberfest, tutoring, FOP Dinner, Distributing canned food for disadvantaged families. Victoria plays piano for charity events and church. Victoria is also invoved in Word Vision 2010 fundraising and she Volunteers at various gyms to develop younger gymnasts. Honors include Gymnastics Level 10, Celebration of Excellence Award at Dublin Jerome High School and Individual and Team Championships
Gymnastics
Matthew Freeman
Canton, Michigan
Matthew attends Plymouth High School in Canton, Michigan. Matthew plans to attend University of Michigan in Fall 2010 and study pre-dental. He also plans to compete on the University of Michigan men's gymnastics team.
Martial Arts
Ashley Hill
Chillicothe, Ohio
Ashley Hill second from right
Ashley attends University of Axia. Community service includes teaching in after school programs at St. Mary’s and volunteering for Big Brothers and Big Sisters Program. Ashley recently returned from Ixtapa, Mexico, where she represented to represent the United States at the WKF North American Cup, where she won bronze medal. Ashley Won gold medal at Arnold Sports Festival 2010.
Martial Arts
Brian Irr
Newfane, New York
Brian Irr at center in white shirt
Brian attends Canisus College in Buffalo, NY. He teaches karate to special needs students, is a member of Wado-kai black belt association, is involved in Canine Helpers in Lockport New York, where he trains seeing eye dogs.
Weightlifting
Patricia Park
Rochester Hills, Michigan
Patricia is a senior at Rochester Adams High School in Rochester Hills, MI. Community service includes Band of Angels Bike Camp, where she taught special education kids to ride bikes, Meals on Wheels, Old Person Spaghetti Night, Boys and Girls Club, Mom to Mom Sale, tutororing at Korean School for kindergartners, drawing contest judge and spelling contest judge, and Korean United Methodist Church volunteer for leadership program. She is also involved in Snowboard Club, Varsity Cheerleading, Varsity Lacrosse and Olympic weightlifting.
Wrestling
Connor Wolfe
Worthington, Ohio
Connor attends Worthington Kilbourne High School. He is an Eagle Scout and involved in Leadership Worthington.
Contact Information
Media contact: Brent LaLonde
