Four students win Front Royal Rotary Scholarship Awards

On Friday, May 26, at its regular meeting, the Rotary Club of Front Royal will make its annual scholarship awards to three Skyline High School students and one Warren County High School student.

Two Skyline seniors, Sarah Chichester and Dan Kurzenknabe, each will receive a $4,000 check to help further their college education, Sarah at Lord Fairfax Community College and George Mason University, and Dan at New York University.

Sarah Chichester

Sarah, whose parents are Lynn and Richard Downs of Front Royal, will major in sociology and psychology, then pursue a Master’s Degree in Public Health. She told a Rotary scholarship committee in an interview that she wants to work on the “health of society” and may also consider entering politics.

A Front Royal resident, she was a drum major at Skyline and active in the Rotary Interact Club, the National Honor Society, Skyline H.S. Theater, and other organizations. Volunteer work is important to her. She aspires to “serve my community and nation above myself.”

Daniel Kurzenknabe

Daniel, the son of Richard and Catherine Kurzenknabe of Front Royal, plans to major in theater at New York University.. He presented himself as a leader and is Senior Class President, Rotary Interact President, and captain of the Forensics Team. The teacher who nominated Dan states that he is the “most dedicated student I have had the privilege to teach.” Dan told the committee he was first on the professional stage in Wayside Theatre productions and loves acting. He plays guitar to relax, he told the selection committee.

Of acting, he states that he “wants to provoke others to think about themselves in order to better themselves.” Dan is the son of  Richard and Catherine Kurzenknabe of Front Royal.

Sarah and Dan were among 17 applicants. A total of eight students from three schools were interviewed by scholarship committee chairman, Dr. Robert Melvedt, M.D., and five committee members.

This year the Rotary Club of Front Royal is also awarding a total of $5,000 to 2 students going into technical careers.

Jacob Freeman

Jacob Freeman, son of Jackie Lucas and Larry Freeman both of Front Royal, is a senior at Skyline High School. He has excelled during his two years in the Blue Ridge Technical Center culinary program and plans to pursue a degree in Culinary Arts at the Institute of Art in Arlington, VA. Jacob has worked in foodservice and catering throughout his high school time. As a junior, he was selected the Outstanding Culinary Arts Student- an honor normally held for seniors. He currently works after school at the Apple House in Linden. Jacob will be receiving a $3,500 scholarship from the Rotary Club of Front Royal.

Jerry Lackovitch

Jerry Lackovitch, son of Jerry and Amy Lackovitch of Front Royal,  is a senior at Warren County High School. Jerry has been a standout in his Computer Networking coursework at Blue Ridge which included dual-enrollment through Lord Fairfax. He plans on pursuing a career in cyber security and currently holds a 3.6 GPA. After continuing his coursework at LFCC for two years, he will transfer to George Mason University. Jerry will be receiving a $1,500 scholarship from the Rotary Club of Front Royal.

The Rotary Club of Front Royal has awarded scholarships to students for the past 19 years. Fifty-two students from both public and private schools have been so honored. A total of $120,760 has been awarded.

Funding to support the scholarship awards is generated through the Club’s annual golf tournament and its generous sponsors.  This year the Rotary Golf Tournament will be held at Blue Ridge Shadows Golf Course on June 22, 2017.

Contact: Dr. Robert Meltvedt  540-683-4434