Community news briefs: Rotary and SECO scholarships, distinguished graduate and senior softball

Rotary Club of Ocala Silver Springs scholarship recipients are shown with Bill Cox, scholarship committee member and club vice president. [Submitted photo]

Home » Community

Posted April 29, 2025 | By Susan Smiley-Height, [email protected]

Rotary Club awards five scholarships
The Rotary Club of Ocala Silver Springs recently awarded $1,500 scholarships to five local students who won Community Service Awards.

During their four years in high school, the five students volunteered at many different organizations in Ocala and Marion County, documenting well over 2,500 service hours. They also participated in extracurricular activities and held leadership positions in many organizations.

The recipients are Amy Caroline Rauls, Redeemer Christian School; Alexandra Rose Laciuga, Vanguard High School; Kayden Zori Mitchell, Trinity Catholic High; Rachel Leigh Milbrandt, Vanguard High; and Jonathan Lamar Ancrum, Belleview High.
The students were asked to draft an essay titled “What Service Above Self Means to Me” and to highlight one organization or situation that meant a great deal to them.

“All of the recipients have committed to service above self while in college and beyond because they know what all Rotarians know, having a servant’s heart gives you more joy by serving than the joy received by those you serve,” the release stated.

SECO Energy scholarship awardees
The SECO Energy board of trustees approved $36,000 in scholarships to 12 high school seniors graduating this year who reside in homes served by SECO.

The students exemplify academic excellence and leadership within their communities, the news release stated.
On April 21, the SECO Youth Programs Committee hosted a special recognition ceremony and each student was awarded a $3,000 scholarship to support their educational journey.

The local students, their schools and major areas of interest are Abigail Colon, West Port High School, animal science; Suhani Nihalani, Vanguard High School, biomedical engineering; Isabella Raistrick, West Port High School, nursing; and Zachary Townsend, Belleview High School, constructional engineering.

Distinguished graduate
Yasieli Perez of Ocala has been named one of Southern Connecticut State University’s 2025 Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award recipients.

Each year, 12 seniors are chosen by the four Connecticut State Universities, with four each from Southern and Central and two each from Eastern and Western. The Barnard Award is considered among the university’s most prestigious student awards, with criteria including a 3.7 GPA or better and significant participation in university and/or community life, a news release noted.

According to the release, Perez earned a B.S. in sociology with a concentration in criminology and criminal justice and a minor in political science. She served as president of the Organization of Latin American Students, where her goal was to create inclusive spaces for Latinx students. She also served as vice president of the Sociology and Criminology Club, as a resident advisor and as a peer mentor, among other leadership roles. She earned places on the Dean’s List and President’s List and received awards for academic and athletic distinction. The five internships she has completed have each connected to her interests in policy and advocacy.

After graduating, Perez plans to complete a master’s degree in higher education or pursue a Ph.D. in sociology.

Senior softball tournament
SummerGlen recently held its 11th annual 70’s Softball Tournament. Seven teams from different 55+ communities participated in a double elimination tournament. Players had to be at least 70 years young. The oldest participant was 82.

The other communities involved were Oak Run, On Top of The World, Stone Creek, Spruce Creek South, Stone Crest, Holiday/Arlington and Del Webb.

Those who wish to learn about playing in the competitive games can email Jay Winn [email protected].