T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA St. Clairsville Noon Rotary Club scholarship chairwoman Pam Shields, from left, award St. Clairsville High School seniors Taylor Tucker, Rachael Lampert, and Helene Landon with the annual Rotary Scholarship.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The St. Clairsville Noon Rotary Club celebrated its 96th anniversary Tuesday evening at the Rotary Shelter in Memorial Park.

During the celebration, the club presented its annual scholarship to three St. Clairsville High School seniors: Taylor Tucker, Rachael Lampert and Helene Landon.

Rotary scholarship Chairwoman Pam Shields said the club has been providing the scholarship to students for the past 25 years.

She added that it recognizes deserving high school students for their achievements and future potential. The tradition reflects the Rotary Club’s ongoing investment in education and the next generation of community leaders.

“We look at academics, community service, which is very important, and then we ask them to write an essay about the four-way test for Rotary, which is service above self, and then we pick winners from those applicants,” Shields said. “They have to live within the St. Clairsville-Richland City School District. They can go to any school as long as they live in St. Clairsville’s school district.”

She added that the three students were chosen because they demonstrated exemplary academic achievement, a deep commitment to community service and a strong moral compass guided by the Rotary four-way test.

Shields said the scholarship amounts were not made public because each student received a different amount.

Lampert was awarded the scholarship first. She thanked the club and said the money will be put to good use.

“One of my goals is to give back to my community in everything that I do. I’m involved with the Belmont County Humane Society, the Mount Pleasant Historical Society, Friends Church and so many things around my school, like the Rotary Interact Club,” Lampert said. “My biggest passion is photography, and I try to incorporate it into my various volunteer activities, whether it be putting the school’s yearbook together, documenting community activities or just for my personal business, you can always see me with a camera in my hand. This passion has given me so many opportunities to give back to others, and taught me how big of an impact one small thing can make.”

She added that she will further her education at The Ohio State University in the fall, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marketing.

“When applying for the scholarship, I was able to learn the real meaning and impact of Rotary’s four-way test. Since then, I feel that I have applied it to various activities I do, and will continue to do so throughout my college career,” Lampert said.

Landon received her scholarship next. She said she plans to attend Bowling Green State University to study nursing.

When writing her scholarship application, she discussed volunteering as a group leader at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church during Vacation Bible School, where she volunteered throughout high school.

“I participated in a multitude of service projects volunteering at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church. During my childhood, I would look forward to the excitement of the music and Vacation Bible School. I imagined the day when I’d become a group leader like the ones I looked up to growing up,” Landon said. “Once I became a group leader, I wanted to become an individual who was impactful and positive. I wanted to empathize with all of the children I worked with. Through this process, I became more willing to hear new ideas and experiment with different points of view. It allowed me to become the best group leader possible.”

She added that she wants to set an example for those around her by acting with integrity and kindness.

Tucker received her scholarship last.

She will attend Ohio University Eastern and major in nursing.

She said she is looking forward to her future as a nurse and hopes to travel around the state, country and perhaps the world to provide health care to communities in need.

“Despite all of my grand plans for college, working and traveling, my greatest plan in life is to become a wife and mom. Someday I intend to settle down in my home state of Ohio, because there’s no place like home,” Tucker said. “I truly appreciate your support for my college education, and your donation is incredibly valued.”

She added that she wrote her application essay about the June 14 flash flood disaster in Wheeling.

“The aftermath was devastating. Multiple lives were lost to this flood, and many people’s homes were destroyed. The community was forced to figure out how to start over with everything they owned, loved and knew washed away. However, this is where relief groups stepped in to help. Last year, I served with Samaritan’s Purse, which is a humanitarian aid organization, to help flood victims recover their homes,” Tucker said. “This service project was unlike any I had participated in before. When I first volunteered, I had no idea what I was going to see or do. I just knew that I wanted to help. I soon learned what some people who lived just 15 minutes from my own home were going through, and it was heartbreaking. However, my crew and I were there to help. Ultimately, I believe my mindset of wanting to serve something bigger than myself exemplified the Rotary four-way test.”

She added that the service project exemplified the four-way test because her integrity and desire to help were genuine.

“I did not volunteer just to look good on my high school community service logs. I truly desired to help. The hours of physical labor, the dangerous conditions and the deeper sacrifice that this project took were proof of my genuine care and devotion to my community,” Tucker said. “Second, this service exemplified the second Rotary way because it was fair for those victims to receive help. What happened to them was not fair, but our service to recover their destroyed homes and offer community and love during that cold, dark time was a kindness they needed.”