James A. Kabbes of St. Anthony High School and Jared D. Minor of Effingham High School each received $1,000 scholarships courtesy the Effingham Noon Rotary Club’s Wednesday meeting. This is the Rotary’s 28th anniversary of their scholarship program. In total, the group has distributed $46,000 in scholarships to deserving students.
The recipients of the yearly scholarship are selected by a committee of Rotary Club members based on criteria that includes scholastic ability, extra-curricular activities, and honors and awards. Students must also submit a 750 word essay on a topic selected by the committee. Kabbes and Minor wrote about “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
Kabbes will be attending the University of Illinois where he will study engineering. He is second in his class at St. Anthony High School, an Illinois State Scholar, was inducted into the Society of Academic Achievement, was named to the All-State Academic Team (honorable mention), and was a member St. Anthony High School’s WYSE (Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering) team. He has placed first both in math and science. Kabbes also was involved in basketball, soccer, and baseball. He also was involved in student government, the National Honors Society, and was editor of the yearbook.
Minor was ranked first in his class at Effingham High School will be attending the University of Illinois where he will study business. Minor is also an Illinois State Scholar, was a member of the Society for Academic Achievement, on Effingham High Schools WYSE team, and the Spanish Scholar Bowl team. He also played soccer, tennis, and baseball and earned The Heart of the the Team Award.
The Noon Rotary Scholarship Fund is maintained through contributions from the group’s members.