The Rotary Club of Kirkland held a meeting online on May 10, 2021.
Attending were James Nevers, Dave Aubry, Dave DeBois, Joanne Primavera, Mike Hunter, John Woodbery, Amy & Dave Mutal, Jim Meniketti, Brandon Honcoop, Monica Fratita, Rich Bergdahl, Kristin Olson, Rick Walter, George Anderson, Don Dicks, Gary Cohn, and Terry Cole.
Robin Ying is passionate about the intersection of business and sustainability. Inspired by her Advanced Placement Environmental Science coursework, she signed on to a Clean Water Ambassador internship for King County summer of her sophomore year. Returning to school that fall, she realized the need for civic engagement within a community close to her—Lake Washington High School’s DECA chapter. Engaging her chapter in community service projects, including environmental restoration through Green Kirkland Day at Watershed Park, she brought her two passions together while inspiring servant leadership among her community’s future business leaders. Earning multiple accolades through DECA, including two first place finishes in the Buying and Merchandising Team Decision Making Event at the state competition, she is a leader who can excel inside the competition room and out. Robin serves on the Kirkland Youth Council, is the secretary for Girls Who Code at her high school, a three-time WIAA state qualifier in swimming, and the marketing director for the environmental nonprofit, The Tomorrow Project. Robin plans an undergraduate degree in Business Administration, concentrating in sustainable business. She hopes to found her own green industry startup. Robin was awarded Kirkland Rotary Business & Accounting Scholarship, and was selected Student of the Month for May 2021.
Ksenia Sokolovskaya moved to Kirkland from a small Belarussian town called Orsha four years ago. She is a senior at Juanita High School, and is a second year Running Start student in Bellevue College, and plans to graduate with an associate degree in arts and sciences this June. She says she really enjoyed taking biology classes in the past, so this quarter she is taking a nutrition class based on knowledge of chemistry and biology. Ksenia plans to go into the medical field because of her passion for the subject, and because she is inspired by a great example of a medical worker in the family. Her aunt, who was working as a nurse in Children’s Hospital, and currently is taking care of elderly patients in a nursing home, sparked Ksenia’s desire to help others. Fall quarter, she is transferring to the Bothell campus of the University of Washington, and is very excited to join the UW’s community and start a path toward her career. When Ksenia is not studying, she loves spending time with family, hanging out with friends and her cousin, and playing the guitar. Ksenia was awarded a Kirkland Rotary Scholarship.
Emma Sammons says she loves to spend time with friends and family, and she loves to ski, fish, and play volleyball. Her ideal plan for college is to attend Montana State University in Bozeman. It is her dream school, offering amazing academics. Emma plans to major in nursing and, eventually, to become an intensive care unit nurse. Emma is certain being a nurse will be a great career plan, and suits well her personal attributes. As a Rotary Club of Kirkland scholar, she is committed to continuing to serve her community. She says she will continue to pack groceries, to volunteer at her church, and serve in other ways. Emma feels the Rotary Club of Kirkland is a great organization, and she will be very appreciative of the opportunity to represent the club in this fashion. Emma says she is positive that this scholarship will help her accomplish her dream of becoming a nurse and serving her community every day. Emma was awarded a Kirkland Rotary Scholarship, and was selected Student of the Month from Juanita High School for April 2021.