Rotary Salutes Top-10 Scholars

The played host to another high-profile Renton event last Thursday, or at least hosted more than two dozen students who are likely to make a waves as they pursue higher education and advance into the working world.

The awards luncheon honored the top-10 academic achievers from each of the 's three high schools, and included the 30 recipients, their parents, school officials and members.

In addition, the Rotarians presented four $3,000 scholarships to students who had competed for the awards.

Chief Academic Officer for the Renton School District, Kathleen Bailey, Principals from Renton, Lindbergh, and Hazen high schools, and School Board Director, Al Talley were on hand to congratulate the students.

Each principal announced his students, and briefly summarized their plans for the future. The students were given a clock from the Rotary Club.

Principal Damien Pattenaude, announced the top-10 students from , and their plans for the future:

1. Tricia Bui plans to study at the University of Washington, and major in biochemistry.
2. Amy Chao plans to study food science at Washington State University
3. John Mehlhaff plans to attend the University of Washington, and major in the sciences.
4. Rakib Mirza was unable to attend.  He was recently awarded the . He plans to attend the University of Washington.
5. Nhu-San Nguyen plans to attend the University of Washington and study cellular and molecular biology.
6. Dalena Pham has plans to attend the University of Washington to become a pediatrician.
7. Luis Poza plans attend Gonzaga University and study engineering.
8. Kevin Reilly plans to attend the University of Washington and study engineering.
9. Jessica Schmitt plans to attend the University of Washington.
10. Ka Wai Wong  plans to attend the University of Washington.

 Principal Tres Genger announced the top-10 scholars:

1. Theresa Zhang plans to attend the University of Washington and study molecular biology.
2. Anastasia Wright plans to attend the University of Notre Dame and study liberal arts.
3.  plans to attend New York University and major in English.
4. Michelle Bentz plans to attend Seattle University and study nursing.
5. Courtney Rollers plans to attend Washington State University and study veterinary medicine.
6. Justin Riccardo plans to attend Digipen Institute of Technology.
7. Alexander Nelson plans to attend St. Martens University and study pre-pharmacy or religious studies.
8. Ronald Monillas plans to attend the University of British Columbia and study science.
9. Tatyana Lats plans to attend Seattle Pacific  University and study psychology
10. Khoi Huynh was unable to attend.

Principal John Kniseley presented the top-10 scholars:

1. Mishaal Aleem plans to attend the University of Washington and study international studies.
2. Jesse Miles plans to attend the University of Washingon and study biology.
3. Nha Tran plans to attend Bellevue College, followed by the University of Washington and study pre-medicine.
4. Luc Charbonneau plans to attend Whitman College.
5. Michael Tran was unable to attend.
6. Kyle Martin  plans to attend the University of Washington, and study engineering.
7. Kaela Nurmi plans to attend Scripps College and study math and sciences.
8. Katelyn Mellinger plans to attend the University of Washington and study science.
9. Emily Barthelman plans to attend Bellevue College and study bio-engineering and Japanese.
10. Cassandra Chandler plans to attend the University of California-Berkeley and study biology.

The Rotary Club also announced four $3,000 scholarship winners. They were:

1. Farheen Siddiqui from Hazen High School. Siddiqui plans to attend the University of Washington and study pre-medicine. Hailing from a war-torn country, whose parents immigrated from India, Siddiqui said in her thank you remarks that she would like to return to her country to help children.
2. John Mehlhaff from Renton High School. Mehlhaff plans to attend the University of Washington and study math and science.  In this thank you to the club, he praised community service, making society a better place, and making change by creating resonance in the world.
3. Anna Le from Lindbergh High School. Le plans to attend the University of Washington and study biology/medical anthropology and minor in political science. She is interested in pediatric oncology because of some of her volunteer work, has an interest in business and been involved in numerous clubs at LHS that she hopes will give her key skills for the future.

The Frank Raphael Scholarship Recipient was Virginia Wanjiku, from Hazen High School. Wanjiku plans to attend the University of Washington and major in nursing. She praised her father in the audience in her thank you remarks. He said to me, "everyone participates, but not everyone crosses the finish line."  She also praised her mother and sister who remain in Africa. She hopes to follow in her father's footsteps and work for the United Nations.

"With this scholarship," she said, "you have given me hope for a brighter future."