Rotary Club of Birmingham Foundation awards scholarships to five Birmingham City Schools seniors

The Rotary Club of Birmingham (RCB) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2022 Rotary Club of Birmingham Foundation Scholarships. The five outstanding seniors selected attend Birmingham City Schools: Ebony Woods, Wenonah High School; Kamari Marzette, Ramsay High School; Kylan Benson, Ramsay International Baccalaureate High School; Y’Onna Hale, G.W. Carver High School; and Demetria Winston, P.D. Jackson-Olin High School.

Scholarship Chair Jim Hughey announced the scholarship recipients during the May 4th Rotary Club of Birmingham meeting, Rotarian Dr. Mark Sullivan, Superintendent of Birmingham City Schools, congratulated the students and Rotarian Mary Boehm, Birmingham Board of Education member, presented them with certificates.

Over sixty Birmingham City Schools seniors applied to the competitive annual scholarship program. Students were selected based on their academic and extracurricular achievements, commitment to serving the community, personal essay and educator recommendations. Each student will receive $2,000 per year over four years that can be used for any expenses while they are enrolled in a college or university.

Kylan Benson

2022 RCB Foundation Scholarship recipient Kylan Benson is a senior at Ramsay International Baccalaureate High School. He plans to study political science at Harvard University and intends to pursue a career in public service. Kylan serves as Senior Class President, Ramsay High School Yearbook Editor-in-Chief and is a member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society. He enjoys reading fantasy fiction and watching Auburn University sports. “I see problems in the world, and I am compelled to make a difference, to learn from the mistakes of the past to forge the solutions of today,” Kylan said in his essay.

Y’Onna Hale

2022 RCB Foundation Scholarship recipient Y’Onna Hale is a senior at G.W. Carver High School. She plans to study psychology at Swarthmore College and strives to start or work for a non-profit that builds people up and inspires them to serve their community. Y’Onna cofounded the Recycling Club, is a leader in the Anime Club and a member of the National Honor Society. She enjoys writing poetry and watching movies. “If you ask me how I can apply the Rotary motto ‘Service Above Self’ to how I live my life, I would definitely say to continue to find the beauty in others and myself, to help others when they need it, and to teach others to stay true to themselves,” Y’Onna said in her essay.

Kamari Marzette

2022 RCB Foundation Scholarship recipient Kamari Marzette is a senior at Ramsay High School. She plans to study biomedical engineering at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and hopes to pursue a career focused on cellular research to help cure diseases. Kamari is SGA President, National Society of Black Engineers President, and a member of the NBBC Youth Choir. She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, listening to music and reading scientific journals. “I aspire to do pathology research in a biomedical engineering lab to help solve problems very close to my heart that affect my community every day,” Kamari said in her essay.

Demetria Winston

2022 RCB Foundation Scholarship recipient Demetria Winston is a senior at P.D. Jackson-Olin High School. She is serving in the Army National Guard and plans to study psychology at Jackson State University beginning in 2023. She hopes to pursue a career as a behavioral therapist. Demetria is SGA Secretary, a member of the band, Key Club and National Honor Society. She enjoys singing, dancing, reading and volunteering. “I want to help people mentally and physically,” Demetria said in her essay. “In a world full of sadness and selfishness, I want to help cure these feelings and bring in more selflessness.”

Ebony Woods

2022 RCB Foundation Scholarship recipient Ebony Woods is a senior at Wenonah High School. She plans to study psychology at Oxford College of Emory University and aspires to become a psychiatrist. Ebony is captain of the softball team, a member of the National Honor Society, a College Choice Foundation Scholar and was elected Homecoming Queen. She enjoys softball, conducting research, attending forums and creative arts. “If I can help people overcome their obstacles and become the best version of themselves, I believe I can make a difference in the world,” Ebony said in her essay.

2022 Rotary Club of Birmingham Scholarship Recipients Y’Onna Hale, Demetria Winston, Ebony Woods, and Kamari Marzette with Rotarians Dr. Mark Sullivan, Superintendent of Birmingham City Schools, Mary Boehm, Birmingham Board of Education member, RCB Foundation Scholarship Chair Jim Hughey; and Dr. Taqua Lewis, BCS Guidance & Counseling Coordinator.