Posted on Jul 09, 2019
 
 
From L to R – Scholarship winners Sharon Rice, Anthony “AJ” Bertoncini, Antonio Moreno and Vocational Service Director Jim McKenzie.
 
The Rotary Club of Schaumburg A.M. and Rotary District 6440 recently awarded $6,500 in vocational scholarships to three deserving individuals.
 
Schaumburg A.M. Rotary’s vocational scholarship program provides need based educational assistance to full-time students and adults preparing for post-secondary vocational or technical careers that require less than a four-year degree (Associate Degree or equivalent certification program) at an accredited school.  
 
Jim McKenzie, club vocational service director, along with committee member Scott Zambo reviewed candidate applications, conducted personal interviews and selected scholarship recipients at the local level.  McKenzie stated that “these scholarships pave the way towards better careers and improved earnings potential”. He added, “I’m thrilled several family foundations partnered with us to help these individuals pursue in-demand occupations where job opportunities are expected to grow well into the future.”
 
Sharon Rice, a repeat winner at the local level, received the Schmidgall Family Foundation Scholarship. Rice is studying phlebotomy at Harper College. 
 
Anthony “AJ” Bertoncini received the club’s Cucci Family Foundation Scholarship. Bertoncini advanced forward to the Rotary District 6440 scholarship competition where he won additional funding to apply towards his educational pursuits.
 
Antonio Moreno was awarded the First Fruits Family Foundation Scholarship.  
 
Bertoncini and Moreno are both recent graduates of Hoffman Estates High School and plan to study automotive technology at River Grove’s Triton College.