MONTICELLO, NY — The Monticello Rotary Club recently announced the recipients of its annual scholarships, which were presented at the club’s Scholarship Dinner. This year, the club awarded $13,250 in scholarships to eight graduating seniors across two Sullivan County school districts—Monticello Central School District and Fallsburg Central School District—and presented one Rotary Membership Scholarship as well.

The Monticello Rotary Club has been investing in the future of Sullivan County’s youth for many decades, the club said. These scholarships are funded through the generosity of club members and through community events, including the club’s annual Scholarship Golf Outing.

Unlike many scholarship programs, Monticello Rotary does not select recipients based solely on academic rank. Recipients are chosen for being well-rounded, community-minded individuals who have demonstrated leadership in their schools and communities through athletics, volunteer work, extracurricular involvement and service to others, the club said. “Many recipients are top students, but what distinguishes them is their character and commitment to something larger than themselves, values that lie at the heart of Rotary’s motto, ‘Service Above Self.’”

The scholarship selection process is led by scholarship committee chair Marty Miller. Applicants submit essays and participate in an interview process, with committee members individually scoring each candidate before recipients are selected.

The scholarship recipients for 2026 are Evan Chen, Emiliano Lima, Anna Murillo, Anneliese Reyes and Matthew Weinstein from the Monticello Central School District. Recipients from the Fallsburg Central School District are Angelina Alvarado, Jaecob Espinoza and Marilyn Yamilett Santos.

The Rotary Membership Scholarship was awarded to Amari Blanchette of the Monticello Central School District.

About the two-year Rotary Club membership

The Rotary Membership Scholarship is a unique honor presented to a college-bound student who will remain in the local area and join the Monticello Rotary Club as a full-time member. “This award reflects Rotary’s commitment to cultivating the next generation of community leaders and keeping talented young people engaged in civic life here in Sullivan County,” the club said.

“These nine students will go on to study different things, pursue different careers, and build different lives. What they share is a sense of responsibility to something larger than themselves. That is what Rotary recognizes and that is what we should be proud of,” said Les Kristt, club president.

For more information, visit www.monticellonyrotary.org or contact monticellonyrotary@gmail.com.