POTSDAM - Thanks to the generosity of many local business sponsors, students at the BOCES Seaway Career & Technical Education Center have received scholarships, despite the cancellation of a major Potsdam Rotary fundraising event.

The club's annual scholarship gala was cancelled this spring, due to COVID-19 guidance. However, the event's sponsors still made donations toward the scholarships.

Noel Newton of Potsdam Central School, a student in the Culinary Arts program, was selected as Rotary Student of the Year from among all of the Potsdam Rotary BOCES Student of the Month recipients for the 2020-2021 academic year. Newton received a $500 scholarship award from Rotary funded by proceeds from last year's Potsdam Rotary Scholarship Golf Tournament.

The following $200 business scholarship awards to the students below were made possible by donations from the businesses listed:

Allied Health: Sydney Graham of Colton Pierrepont Central School (Core Access Therapies, Dr. William Pena, Exclusive Sponsor $200)

Automotive Technologies: Connor McPherson of Massena Central School (TJ Toyota, Exclusive Sponsor $200)

Automotive Technologies: Preston Farnsworth of Potsdam Central School (North Country Oil Change & Repair, Exclusive Sponsor $200)

Building Trades: Jeffrey Crump of Parishville- Hopkinton Central School (Waddington True Value Hardware & Building Supply, Exclusive Sponsor $200)

Cosmetology: Hannah Reed of Canton Central School (Lifestyles Salon by Sara Sharlow, Exclusive Sponsor $200)

Criminal Justice: Derek Weston of Potsdam Central School (SUNY Potsdam Law Enforcement Training Institute, Co-Sponsor $100, and Midwife Sunday, Co-Sponsor $100)

Culinary Arts: Noel Newton of Potsdam Central School (Yum Yum's Chilly Delight, Exclusive Sponsor $200)

Education & Human Services: Victoria Bisnett of Canton Central School (North Country Savings Bank, Exclusive Sponsor $200)

Health Careers: Desirae Malone of Parishville-Hopkinton School (Harris Medical, Exclusive Sponsor $200)

HVAC/R: Michael Bolia Jr of Massena Central School (Northern Mechanicals, Exclusive Sponsor $200)

Metalworking: Remington Charleson of Massena Central School (Northern Mechanicals, Exclusive Sponsor $200)

Multi Occupations: DaShaun Burnette of Madrid-Waddington Central School (St. Lawrence Centre, Co-Sponsor $100, Northern Insuring Agency, Co-Sponsor $100)

DeShaun Burnette of Madrid-Waddington Central School (Community Bank, Exclusive Sponsor $200)

Natural Resource Management: Hunter Blauvelt of Canton Central School (Thew Associates, Exclusive Sponsor $200)

Software Development & Business Design: Samantha Foster of Brasher Falls Central School (Frazer Motors, Co-Sponsor $100, Midwife Sunday, Co-Sponsor $100)

The Rotary Club of Potsdam Rotary Club was founded more than 90 years ago on the foundation of community service by business leaders in many professions. The club presents its monthly Rev. William and Crystal Cuthbert Vocational Excellence Award to Seaway Tech students selected from 15 programs.

The Potsdam Rotary Club meets each Wednesday at noon at Yum Yum's Chilly Delight in Potsdam as well as online.