M'ville Rotary hands out $180,000 in scholarships

The Marysville Rotary Club gave out thousands of dollars to local students as part of their 2022 Scholarship Awards Ceremony on May 18.

“We gave out 48 scholarships this year and $180,000. We are excited about that, and with the amount of money that we were able to raise this year,” said Gayl Spilman, treasurer for the Marysville Rotary’s Education Foundation.

The Rotary’s Education Foundation provides scholarships to students in the Marysville, Lakewood and Granite Falls school districts each year.

Students are given awards for their academic success, challenges they have gone through, volunteerism and other factors.

“These students were just amazing. We had some real trying stories in our list this year and we feel great to be able to help those students get a hand up,” said Spilman.

Spilman said she enjoys being able to support local graduating seniors.

“It’s the best thing about Rotary and the reason I’m a Rotarian. I love being able to help kids,” she said.

“I’m a mom of three boys and I love kids. I love their ambition, their resiliency, their struggles and I love to be part of that and see them blossom,” she added.

It has been a hard few years for many students getting through the COVID-19 pandemic school environment and other trials.

“I think for some of the students this has been a real validation that the work they go through actually pays off,” said Spilman. “Some of these kids have overcome some real struggles."

Students are allowed to use their scholarships for up to three years after being given the award for either tuition or books.

They can be used for trade schools, community colleges or traditional four-year universities and many students reported planning to go to two-year colleges or other alternatives with the funds.

“The kids are really our future and they need all the help they can get,” said Spilman.

“We hope that each one of them will be able to pay it forward in the future,” she added.

Loren Van Loo, president of the Marysville Rotary Education Foundation, said he hopes students become leaders in their futures.

“Our hope is that you kids further your education and become huge leaders in our community or whatever community you end up in,” he said.

Van Loo also wanted to recognize the support students have had.

“We also celebrate the parents, the grandparents and the family and friends who have all invested love in these kids,” he said.

The Marysville Rotary Education Foundation is funded through local donations and Spilman thanked them for providing funds as well.

The Marysville Rotary's annual auction is their main fundraiser each year and is planned for Nov. 11.