Write a commentThe Oswego Rotary Club continues its long tradition of presenting scholarships to four outstanding 2024 graduates of the Oswego City School District.
The action marked the 97th anniversary of the club’s founding and continued its collaboration with the Richard S. Shineman Foundation and Pathfinder Bank, whose financial contributions help support the awards. According to a club spokesperson, “The distinguished seniors we honor this year have not only excelled academically but have served their community generously.”
The Richard S. Shineman Oswego Rotary Scholarship honors the memory of Richard Shineman, long-time member of Oswego Rotary Club and advocate for the philanthropic work of Rotary around the world. Regionally, his namesake foundation now serves to improve the quality of life in Oswego County and Central New York by providing financial assistance to not-for-profit organizations, having made over $12 million in grants during its first decade of operation.
The Shineman Scholarship was awarded to Ian MacKenzie, son of James and Beth MacKenzie. His school activities included varsity track and field and varsity cross country where he was a sectional qualifier, as well as National Honor Society and Environmental Club secretary. He was employed as a T. J. Maxx associate and served as a member of the Oswego City-County Youth Bureau board. He volunteered at St. Mary’s bazaar, Stuff-A-Bus, and the Garrett Dunsmoor 2nd Annual Fundraiser. MacKenzie earned many awards including Oswego County Envirothon, Spanish Merit Award, Oswego High School Character Award and Student of the Month Award.
MacKenzie will enroll at SUNY Brockport to study biology.
The Charles E. Riley Oswego Rotary Scholarship remembers the founding president (1927–1930) of the Oswego Rotary Club and former superintendent of the Oswego City School District and was presented to Alyssa Carr, daughter of Brandon Carr and Shana Franklin.
Carr was active in sports, having played varsity soccer for two years, varsity ice hockey for four years, junior varsity lacrosse and varsity lacrosse for two years each, Oswego minor hockey for five years, and Syracuse Nationals travel hockey for three years. Other school activities included wind ensemble for four years, jazz ensemble for one year, and marching band for two years. Also, National Honor Society, honors lab tutor, and New Vision Specialized Careers. Carr was on the highest honor roll grades seven through twelve. Additionally, she worked at the Press Box, officiated USA Youth Hockey, and coached youth hockey. She was also selected to receive the Charles E. Riley Oswego Rotary Club Scholarship this year.
Carr will attend Utica University to study psychology and criminal investigation.
Leanna Rockwood, daughter of John and Kerry Rockwood received the Ralph & Dorothy Faust Oswego Rotary Scholarship. Faust served as president of the Oswego Rotary Club (1934–1935) and was formerly principal of Oswego High School. During his tenure he invited children from Safe Haven to study at the high school.
Rockwood’s school activities included cheerleading, Drama Club, Travel Club, Creative Writing Club, Environmental Club, National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, and Chamber Singers. She was an officer with cheerleading, Math Honor Society, and Travel Club. Other school and community activities included tumbling athlete and student teacher, Oswego Players, volunteering at Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Eastside Nutrition Barista, and Kiyomi Restaurant. Among Rockwood’s awards are two merit awards, Super Buc Award, Elmira College Presidential Scholarship, and Rosemary Corcoran and Kathy Penree Memorial Winter 2024 Cheerleading Scholarship.
Rockwood will attend Elmira College to study biochemistry.
The Anthony J. Murabito Oswego Rotary Scholarship is given in memory of the former principal of Oswego High School, an active member of the Oswego Rotary Club for more than 51 years, club president (1967 – 1968), and a leader and advocate for the Rotary scholarship program. The award is given to John DelConte, son of Heather and Scott DelConte.
DelConte was a varsity wrestler for three years, serving this year as team captain. As president of the Environmental Club, he led the Envirothon team. He has been an active member and leader of the Agriculture Club and Outdoor Adventure Club. He is also a member of the National Honor Society. In the community, DelConte has been active with the First United Methodist Church of Oswego, serving in the missions area to organize the Angel Tree and donations to support Oswego County Department of Social Services caseworkers. He developed 4-H youth programs and served as an agricultural ambassador to the Oswego County Fair. Among various awards, DelConte received the Reed Hawke-Lou Pettinelli Syracuse Wrestling Officials Association Scholarship and the Hank Losselman Memorial Scholarship twice.
DelConte will attend Cornell University to study human development.
The Ruth N. Mulford Career and Technical Education Award honors the memory of Ruth Mulford, the first woman to join the Oswego Rotary Club and the member who first proposed an award for career and technical education students who were prepared for gainful employment after high school. Mulford was on the professional staff of the Center for Instruction Technology and Innovation (CITI), then Oswego County Board of Cooperative Educational Services. The award is given to affirm Rotary’s appreciation of the dignity of all useful work and respect for the people engaged in all productive occupations. Selection is based upon the applicant’s demonstrated skill in the chosen field and demonstrated leadership ability.
This year’s award was made to Alyssa Carr who completed the New Vision Specialized Field of Criminal Justice program. She is the daughter of Brandon Carr and Shana Franklin and was also selected to receive the Charles E. Riley Oswego Rotary Scholarship.
The Oswego Rotary Club, founded in 1927, raises money for scholarships through members’ dues and contributions, occasional memorial gifts, and fundraising projects. The club, with financial support from Pathfinder Bank, hosts the annual Top 100 Ceremony — except during the coronavirus pandemic — to honor the accomplishments of the 25 top academic students in each of the four classes at Oswego High School. The club has established an endowment fund to help underwrite the scholarship program in the future. Gifts and bequests to the Oswego Rotary Foundation, Inc. will be held in perpetuity, with only the earnings used for awards.
Members of the Scholarship Committee this year are Selma Sheridan, Carrie Penoyer, Randy Zeigler, Terrence Gorman, and Vernon Tryon.
