The Kiwanis of the Valleys Club recently awarded a pair of Santa Cruz County students two scholarships — the Joe “UNK” Grabill Scholarship and the Mike Smith Scholarship — part of the club’s efforts aid local youth.
“We have two main scholarships, the Mike Smith and the Joe Grabill,” said Steve Dodds, a leader of the club. “We also give out awards for most improved students at (Scotts Valley Middle School) and citizenship at (Scotts Valley High School).”
The Mike Smith scholarship is worth $2,500 and is awarded to a senior from local schools who has achieved academic excellence and has donated their time to helping the community.
This year’s winner, Elisa Bargetto, is a newly graduated senior from SVHS. She spent much of her high school career highly involved in her community, taking part in both her school’s Key Club and Interact Club, helping the community grow through her service.
Bargetto was a high academic achiever who was in a variety of extracurricular groups. Not only did she achieve high academics while in high school, she was also involved as an athlete, who was always enthralled by learning more.
Bargetto has been accepted by Cal Poly and US Davis, and plans to use her scholarship to help her in her academic career.
The “UNK” Grabill Scholarship was made in memory of Joseph A. Grabill, a man who helps organize the San Lorenzo Valley Key Club. This scholarship is specific to only seniors in Key Club that are in the local schools.
This scholarship is worth $1,000 and was given to Erinna Woo, a graduating senior from Pacific Collegiate High School in Santa Cruz.
The Kiwanis Club is a great way to interact with the community, Dodds said, and all one has to do is participate.
For more information about the Kiwanis of the Valleys, visit http://www.kiwanisofthevalleys.org/
