Rotary of La Jolla gives $153,000 for college

The Rotary Club of La Jolla awarded $153,000 for the 2008-09 school year to 20 students from four local high schools. The awards were for academic achievement, scholarship and community service.

Twenty eight students who previously received scholarships and have qualified for continued support were also awarded money for school.

In addition, $5,000 was donated to each of the La Jolla high schools to support visual and performing arts programs.

Funds for the scholarships were raised primarily through the annual Stars in Our Eyes program which is currently preparing for its seventh year.

The program was held February 1, at La Jolla High School’s Parker Auditorium. The event brings together some of the most gifted students from all four La Jolla High schools to showcase their artistic talents in a range of formats which include music, dance, drama and graphic arts.

Private donations and other endowments dedicated to student scholarship support were also used. Russel King, Chief of Staff for UCSD’s Vice Chancellor of External Relations said, “It’s a very proud moment for the Rotary Club of La Jolla to be able to help these students.” But he laments that for every one that received a scholarship there were four other deserving students that didn’t.

Organizer of Stars, Patricia Lynch said the help from Rotary of La Jolla is an investment in the future of not only these kids, but of society in general. She is already conducting interviews for next year’s Stars performance and hopes to increase the endowment for scholarships beyond what has already been raised.