The Rotary Club of Fairfax recently recognized several area students with scholarship awards for their academic achievement and community service. The winners included Merily Cruz, Anju Subedi, Jasmine Pineda, Thuy Hoang, and Andrew Johnston- who was awarded the Paul J. Brown (PJB) Community Service award.
All Fairfax High School Seniors are eligible to compete for the Rotary scholarship awards by submitting an application to the FHS Director of Student Services. Faculty then forward the applications to the Rotary selection committee. For the Paul J Brown Community Service award, the FHS faculty certify the academics and hours of community service that the student has performed and the Student Services Director then selects the winners. Each winner is awarded a scholarship check to help them pursue their studies.
The Paul J Brown award recipient Andrew Johnston has donated over 400 hours of his high school career as a volunteer for area rehabilitation centers, food pantries, and homeless centers. His consistent dedication to volunteerism and helping those in need in the community - all while maintaining a 3.9 GPA - was recognized as truly outstanding by the selection committee. In addition to the scholarship award, Andrew’s name has been added to the large PJB plaque which is displayed in the trophy case at Fairfax High School.
The award is named in honor of the late Paul J Brown, who exemplified the ideals and practice of community service. Paul was a Fairfax Rotarian, a graduate of Fairfax High School and the United States Military Academy. He served with honor and distinction, retiring as a Colonel in the U.S. Army. Paul's father, the late Judge Paul E Brown, was a founding member of the Rotary Club of Fairfax and served as its President for the 1937-1938 Rotary year. Paul's daughter Paula Kelley, is the current club President.
The Rotary Club of Fairfax is nonreligious and nonpolitical, and is open to every race, culture and creed. The members represent a cross-section of local business, professional, and community leaders. The Club is a member of Rotary International, an organization of business and professional persons united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Rotary International’s motto is “Service Above Self.” The Rotary Club of Fairfax meets on Mondays at 12:15 p.m. at the American Legion Hall on Oak Street in Fairfax City. For more information about the Rotary Club of Fairfax, visit the club’s website at www.fairfaxrotary.org. Or email Rotary Club of Fairfax’s Executive Director Irby N. Hollans, Jr., at ihollans@earthlink.net.