Rotary Scholarship Recipients Announced

Briana has lived in Sugarloaf her whole life and attended Valley Elementary/Middle School before Hazleton Area High School. She is the daughter of Donna and Stephen Papp and  has three sisters; Gabrielle, Julia, a twin-Cassie and  a brother, Stephen.
She cites community service and volunteering as the things that have inspired her to “be a better person, be a leader, dream big, do the right thing or just be herself”.  She is on the Serento Gardens Student Board of Directors, Executive Council of Student Government and Hazleton Area Gifted Program.  Brianna volunteers annually for Helping Hands and assists at the library’s Summer Reading Program and is an after school peer tutor.  Her favorite community service venture was volunteering with her twin sister at the Conyngham Valley Historical Society for their senior graduation projects.  She is also on the Varsity Cross Country and Track and Field Teams, FBLA, German and National Business Honor Societies and is Treasurer of the National Honor Society. In addition, she is employed as a cashier at Gould’s Supermarket.

Following a very active high school career, Briana will study Civil Engineering at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. 
“Winning this scholarship is a huge honor to me.  This scholarship is not only making it possible for me to pay for my college education, but is also making it possible for me to reach my future goals and dreams.  I appreciate it tremendously!”  Explains Briana.
The daughter of Kim and Ryan Plaza, Hannah resides in West Hazleton and has been attending schools in the Hazleton Area School District since kindergarten.  Hannah has two sisters, Regan and Isabella and two brothers, Zane and Jackson.  She is employed at Olympia Sports at the Laurel Mall
Hannah is a volunteer for the Hazleton Animal Shelter and participates in the American Cancer Society telethon and Relay for Life.  She is also a member of the National Honor Society serving as Vice President, Class of 2014 Executive Council, Key Club, FBLA and 4 year letter winner and 2013 captain of the Field Hockey Team.  She was also elected as one of the Elks’ Students of the Month.
“I believe that volunteering can benefit many people on an individual basis and that often, one small act of kindness can brighten someone’s day.” says Hannah. “I love being able to make someone’s day a little better and it makes me want to help even more people. Volunteering makes a tremendous difference, making the world a little better and a little brighter”
Hannah will major in Engineering, also at Lehigh University, following her successful High School Career.
“The scholarship will greatly assist me throughout my four years of college, I will have two sisters entering college within the next two years and my family’s budget will be strict.  Any extra money that can help me pay for books, technology fees, or room and board is truly
appreciated.” says Hannah, adding, “It is a tremendous honor to have been chosen to receive this scholarship.  I am so proud that all of my hard work throughout high school has allowed me to stand out from the many other excellent individuals in the area.”
Briana and Hannah and their families will be special guests of the Hazleton Rotary Club at their weekly meeting on Wednesday, June 18 and both girls will be the meeting’s guest speakers.
The Rotary Club of Hazleton’s Annual Scholarship Award is available in the spring to applicants who are seniors in a public or private high school located within the geographic boundaries of the Hazleton Area.    
“We congratulate Hannah and Briana on all their wonderful achievements and are happy to offer them this fantastic opportunity to further their education”, comments Donna Barna, committee chair.  “Their parents, family and school should be very proud of them and their many accomplishments!”