Four earn Exchange Club scholarships

MONROE — The Exchange Club of Monroe recently awarded scholarships to four students, Sierra Goins, Sophia Harman, Mara Vitale and Maureen Smith. One scholarship is new this year. The scholarship recipients will be honored at the Exchange Club of Monroe’s annual awards ceremony on May 16 at the Monroe Golf and Country Club.

Sierra, a senior at St. Mary Catholic Central High School, is the Youth of the Year Scholarship recipient. The scholarship is awarded to a high school senior who has exhibited high levels of scholastic achievement, community involvement and leadership during his/her high school years, the club said. Sierra is the daughter of Tim and Kari Goins of Monroe. She will attend the University of Notre Dame in the fall.

Sophia, a senior at Henry Ford Academy High School, is the Legacy Award scholarship recipient. The scholarship is awarded to a high school senior who is the child, grandchild or great-grandchild of an Exchange Club member. Awardees have exhibited exceptional academic performance, community involvement and leadership skills, the club said. Sophia is the daughter of Geoff and Shana Harman of Dearborn. She is the granddaughter of Exchange Club members Scott and Julie Harman of Monroe. Sofia will attend Michigan State University in the fall.

Mara, a senior at Monroe County Middle College High School, is the Accepting the Challenge of Excellence (A.C.E.) Scholarship recipient. This award is given to the high school senior who has overcome great personal obstacles to maintain high standards of performance and to excel inside and outside of the classroom, the club said. Mara is the daughter of Anthony and Wendy Vitale of Monroe. She will attend Monroe County Community College in the fall.

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Maureen, an SMCC senior, is the first recipient of the Garry A. Markle Memorial Scholarship Award. This award is provided to new college entrants pursuing post-secondary education in the field of engineering. The scholarship was created by the family of the late Garry A. Markle, past-president and a very active member of the Exchange Club of Monroe, the club said. Garry began his career as an engineer and became president and CEO of the Spiratex Corporation. Maureen is the daughter of Todd and Becky Smith of Monroe. She will attend Ohio University in the fall.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Four earn Exchange Club scholarships