The Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions Present Scholarships
Rye Neck Senior Marc Seemer, LM Lion VP Lina Pasquale, MHS Senior Justin Solis Lions give scholarship pic
The Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions Club awarded two scholarships as part of its high school community service essay contest. Mamaroneck High School senior Justin Solis and Rye Neck High School senior Marc Seemer were the winners of the essay contest and were presented with a $1,000 award to help cover college expenses.
For over 20 years this annual scholarship has been awarded to a Larchmont/Mamaroneck graduating senior who has performed meaningful local community service. In 2021 it was expanded to two awards – to a senior in both Mamaroneck and Rye Neck High Schools.
Candidates submitted an essay describing their charitable work and the impact it had on the community and oneself. Lina Pasquale, LM Lions VP, served as the Committee Chair and the panel of judges included Carey Federspiel, Peggy Rao, Jag Rao, Marie Moreno and Michael Nicoletta, along with LM Lions Club members. All essays were reviewed anonymously, with identifiers redacted and rated using a quantitative scoring measure. Essays were judged on the applicant’s breadth and depth of service and how that service embodied the Lions’ motto “We Serve.”
In reflecting on the submissions, Lina Pasquale, Committee Chair, said “the power of youth-led community service is alive and well in Larchmont and Mamaroneck. The youth who applied showcased how they are truly invested in their community, and that’s a gift to all of us. Marc and Justin demonstrated areas of influence across a wide spectrum of service including supporting local residents during the Covid pandemic, advocating for civil rights and educational equity and wildlife conservation, just to name a few. They inspire hope and prove that community service is mutually impactful.”
The Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions are part of the International Lions Clubs, the largest service organization in the world. LM Lions President Phil Oldham further encouraged the winners to find a local Lions organization wherever they go and continue their service under the Lions motto, “We Serve.”