Kiwanis Club Hands Out Scholarships

The Merrick Kiwanis Club made yet another investment in local youths last night, as it handed out 20 scholarships to deserving high school seniors. 

"I've learned how important it is to give back to others," Kennedy High's Rebecca Davidson said, "and I like to see the smiles on others' faces."

Sixteen of the 20 recipients of the $500 scholarships were from Calhoun High School, and most of them were members of the school's Key Club. 

That community service club, sponsored by the Kiwanis, has been led by Kiwanis advisor Ilene Dixel for the past 10 years.   Many of the students thanked Dixel, who is stepping down as advisor after this year, for helping them become better people. 

"I will miss you all greatly," Dixel said of the Key Clubbers.  "I can't begin to tell you how important you all are to me.  And thank you Kiwanis for giving me the most fabulous kids you can meet for 10 years."

Each of the scholarship winners was given the chance to speak briefly during the ceremony at LaPiazza and many spoke of why they became involved with community service. 

Kennedy senior Joseph Tsentner said he had met a young person who was only doing community service because a judge forced him to. 

"The reason I do it is for the sake of giving back to the community and helping people in need," Tsentner said, "and that's the reason to do it." 

County Legislator Dave Denenberg, D-Merrick, also stopped by the Kiwanis meeting to offer his congratulations to the students. 

"You did a great job in high school and we know you will do a great job in college," said Denenberg, a Kiwanian himself.  "Our investment in you is really an investment in our youth." 

Club Inducts Four New Members

Prior to handing out scholarships Tuesday night, the Kiwanis Club welcomed four new members to its ranks:  James Carroll (sponsored by Doug Mills), Armando D'Accordo (sponsored by Tammy McLoughlin), Jackie Singer (sponsored by Ashlee Dixel) and Nancy Kaplan (sponsored by Doug Mills and Tammy McLoughlin). 

Kaplan, who serves as president of the Merrick School Board, said she viewed her induction "as just another blessing" since she moved to Merrick eight years ago. 

"I'm just grateful for the opportunity," Kaplan said.  "The people here tonight are new friends obviously.  The people here really are why I came to this community.  You make every day in Merrick just a great day for me."

Scholarship Recipients

Calhoun

Alyssa DeMonte

Alyssa Kurtzberg

James Levine

Amanda McLoughlin

Ashley Mulcahy

Anne Murphy

Michael Rosenthal

Kevin Ryan

Sunil Shah

Christina Strezenec

Claire Tucci

Aly Vanderwalde

Gabrielle Weil

Sierra Zorn

Kennedy

Rebecca Davidson

Hayley Wynne Shapiro

Joseph Tsentner

Mepham

Sarah Golub