The Rotary Club of West Seneca has a long-standing relationship and support of our local West Seneca Central School District. On Sunday, May 17th, members of the West Seneca Rotary Scholarship Committee and fellow Rotarians visited the residences of the four award recipients of the 2020 West Seneca Rotary $500 Scholarship. Surprise visits were coordinated with the families on behalf of the students and their individual checks were personally delivered with an oversized promotional check and balloons.  Danielle Behlok, daughter of Claudia and Christian Behlok was selected as the West Seneca East Female Recipient. She has demonstrated leadership and volunteer service while at East Senior as both the 2020 Class Council President and Student Council Vice President where she assisted in the planning of the Fall and Spring Craft Show, Teacher Appreciation Week and the Hockey for Humane Benefit for the Humane Society just to name a few of her many worthy and involved activities. She was a Student Representative at School Board Meetings and a Fresh Start Mentor for incoming Freshmen Students. She intends to pursue a career as a Physician Assistant and will be attending Daemen College as part of their Direct Entry Physician’s Assistant Program with also a minor in a foreign language. An ultimate goal of Danielle she included in her application is to work as a medical missionary in underdeveloped countries by applying both her knowledge of medicine and a foreign language. Brandon Cole, son of Becky and Everett Cole was selected as the West Seneca East Male Recipient. While at East Senior, Brandon was  first chair Trumpet in Jazz Band and Concert Band and also a Brass Section Leader in the Marching Band. Additionally, he was part of a Leadership Program at school, a member of the Spanish Club, National Honor Society, and Honor Societies for Music, Spanish, and Social Studies. An active volunteer for his school and community, he also sings in the Chamber Chorus and Crazy Guys of Ebenezer. He intends to attend University at Bufffalo for Environmental Design and eventually continue at UB for Graduate School to receive a Master’s Degree in Architecture. Brandon included within his application his desire to become a licensed Architect with an emphasis on protecting our Environment and someday having a business of his own.  Haley Renzoni, daughter of Jennifer and Marc Renzoni was selected as the West Seneca West Female Recipient. A very involved Music Student, she was a member of Vocabella, Vocal Jazz, and the Musicals. Haley was MVP of the Girls Varsity Swim Team and consistently worked to not only improve herself but also assist teammates as asked to do demonstrations by coaches. Haley was a member of the Life Science Academy, Class Board, National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, and also part of the Morning Announcements each day. Her outside service is additionally impressive volunteering with the Arthritis Foundation, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Queen of Heaven Church, and a Bronze Award, Silver Award recipient from the Girl Scouts of America. She also attended a Dale Carnegie Event where she was a guest presenter and delivered her Women of Distinction speech. She intends to pursue a degree at Clarkson University in Biology or Biomedical Science with a Pre-Medical Track with a goal of becoming a Pediatric Rheumatologist. John Velasquez, son of Lisa and Edward Velasquez was selected as the West Seneca West Male Recipient. He was an Executive Officer of the National Honor Society, Vice President of the Spanish Honor Society, member of the Men's Volleyball Team, and International  Relations Club as well as a Fresh Start Mentor for incoming Freshmen Students. Within his role within the International Relations Club, he completed a project called the Home Again Project. He assembled his classmates to gather items to furnish a home for an area refugee family, Additionally, he was an Executive Board member of the Math Club serving also as a tutor for Fourth Grade Students through High School Algebra II Students. In his community, John has volunteered at Fox Run Retirement Center and the YMCA After-School Program. John intends to attend the University of Rochester to earn a Masters Degree in Business Administration and to also travel abroad. |
