Ross Gallabrese SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED — The Steubenville Rotary Club presented its annual Service Above Self Scholarships to area high school seniors during a recent meeting. On hand for the presentation were, from left, seated, Kamden Kinyo of Buckeye Local and Mary Rohde of Catholic Central; standing, club President Jim Baber, Josiah Rea of Steubenville High School, club Secretary Kathy Musso and Kirsten Morgan of Buckeye Local.

STEUBENVILLE — The Rotary Club of Steubenville continued its annual spring tradition of recognizing the area’s top high school seniors last week.

The club presented its annual Service Above Self Scholarships during a meeting at the JeffCo Event Center.

Receiving the $1,000 awards this year were:

• Kamden Kinyo of Buckeye Local High School.

• Kirsten Morgan of Buckeye Local High School.

• Josiah Rea of Steubenville High School.

• Mary Rohde of Catholic Central High School.

Each of the winners was selected by a committee of Rotarians led by Charles Joyce, a past club president who has chaired the program for several years. Committee members included Rotarians Mike Mehalik, Barry Gullen, Marty Hauser and club President Jim Baber.

Among the criteria used to select this year’s winners from the 26 applications was an essay in which applicants were asked to identify a person who had a major impact on their lives.

Kinyo, who plans to attend Ohio State University, major in finance and play on the school’s club golf team, identified his mother as having the greatest influence in his life.

“Putting the needs of others first drives everything I do. Whether it is in the classroom, on the golf course, at 4-H events, at church or just with a stranger on a random day, I strive to be someone others can trust and look up to,” he read from his essay.

Morgan, who plans to attend West Virginia University, major in nursing and participate in the school’s band, named her grandmother as that person.

She said watching the way her grandmother always put the needs of others first has helped her in all aspects of her life, whether at school, in activities or at work.

“Real service isn’t about convenience — it’s about sacrifice,” she said.

Rea, who plans to study nursing at Baylor University, identified his father, Brian Rea, a teacher at Brooke Middle School, as his person.

“He has taught me that doing the right thing is something you shouldn’t have to be recognized for,” he said.

Rohde, who plans to study nursing at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, selected her grandfather, a veteran who suffered a severe leg injury while serving during the Vietnam War.

During his recovery, she said, he noticed the needs of the wounded were not always being met and morale was low, so he started his own patient advocacy group.

“His impact is one I would like to replicate in my future medical career while serving those around me,” Rohde said.

Kathy Musso, the club’s secretary who served as moderator for the presentations, said the essay topic was important.

“It was nice to see how many referred to a family member — every single one of these young people was influenced by a family member,” she said.

That was a reminder, Musso added, of the difference people can make in the lives of those around them.