Sierra Mountain Times

Photo caption: During the past holiday season Twain Harte Rotarians Don Escallier, left, and Mike McCaffrey decorate and package gingerbread which the Rotarians sell each year at the annual Christmas Parade. The sale of the gingerbread is just one of the club’s fundraising efforts which support their scholarship program for Summerville High students.

During a special ceremony held recently in the Summerville High School cafeteria, twenty students were gifted with scholarships provided by Twain Harte Rotarians and friends of Rotary.

The scholarships ranged from $500 to $1,500 and went to students who would be pursuing their educations in either academic or vocational institutions.

“We plan these scholarships a year in advance and have that money set aside every year,” said Eric Carlson, president of Twain Harte Rotary. “Even with the current state of our nation’s economy, we had many friends who contributed to the scholarship fund. In total, we were able to give these students a combined $14,500.”

The students who received the scholarships have plans, which will make them future auto mechanics, firefighters, medical practitioners and business people.

“Twain Harte Rotary is proud to be able to offer scholarships to these students,” said Carlson. “Every person who attends our fundraisers should share that pride as they are the ones whose monies fund our enterprises and, ultimately, provides these scholarships.”

Scholarships for Summerville High students are the main focus of Twain Harte Rotary’s fund raising throughout the year. The major fundraiser, the Deep Pit Barbeque, will be held at Eproson Park on August 15th at 4 p.m. Other fundraisers include the Concert in the Vines set for June 14th and the Autographed Book Auction, which will be held the first weekend in October. There will also be the decorating and selling of gingerbread people at Twain Harte’s annual Christmas Parade.

For more information about purchasing tickets to these events call 586-5122.