Pleasanton North Rotary Awards College Scholarships

Pleasanton North Rotary (PNR) has awarded $1000 memorial scholarships to three graduating seniors in a competition recognizing their outstanding academic, school activity and community service achievements.

Allison Lourenco received the club’s annual Chuck Pickens Memorial Scholarship, honoring the PNR’s first president following receipt of its charter from Rotary International in 1978. Lourenco has given back to her community through her involvement with Amador Valley Assistance League, Culinary Angels, Diablo Day Camp, Girl Scouts, Sunflower Hill Gardens, and the Stable Café.

Aubrey Kim was awarded the annual Robin Barnett Memorial Scholarship in remembrance of the positive impact the former history teacher had upon Foothill’s students and faculty before her untimely death in 2004. Kim earned the award, in part, from volunteer work with youth-oriented programs, such as the Light and Salt Bible Studies Ministry, the Mariachi Music Program, and Empowering Youth in Business.

With onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kim also helped organize the Design Pact, a student group that used their computer skills to help small businesses shift from physical to a virtual online presence.

PNR’s third scholarship was established in memory of the late Stephen Parker, a 1978 graduate of Foothill and son and brother of PNR past presidents Jack and Dave Parker, respectively. It was awarded this year to Alyssa Lam. Her long list of community service activities includes volunteering with a Cambodia Medical Mission, Destination Imagination, Girl Scouts, Pink Dot Club (which encourages students to join Donate Life California Organ and Tissue Registry), Safe Haven Club, and Students for Social Change.

Each year, PNR awards scholarships to Foothill High School graduating seniors, recognizing their service to the community, school involvement and academic achievements. One of the commendable characteristics these students have developed is their willingness to spare time in to give back to their communities. They exemplify the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self" and demonstrate the notion of “Humanity in Motion,” another important Rotary theme.