Westfield Rotary Club Scholarship Application Deadline March 11

March 11 is the deadline for graduating seniors to submit their applications to the Westfield Rotary Club Foundation College Scholarship Committee according to Liz Ensslin, committee chair.  To be eligible applicants must be residents of Westfield and attending WHS or other accredited public or private high schools.

The Westfield Rotary Club Foundation Scholarship Program is the oldest and largest in the town having awarded nearly $2.4 million in scholarships to more than 1500 students since its inception in 1923, according to Sherry Cronin who is Chairman of the Rotary Foundation Board. Led by Mrs. Ensslin, Rotarian-members of the committee include in their deliberations personal interviews of the qualified candidates leading to decisions in June. The members of the committee are Marcus Millet, Mary Ellen O’Boyle, Lowell Schantz, Maggie Subhas, and Elaine Swingle. 

The criteria for consideration, Mrs. Ensslin states, are academic achievement, financial need and demonstrated community service.  She explains, “The Rotary motto is ‘Service Above Self.’ Therefore, the service aspect of each applicant’s resume is particularly important to the committee.” 

Ms. Cronin states that “Rotary’s group of scholarships, none of which is less than $1,500, are financed by proceeds from the club’s annual Pancake Breakfast, other fundraisers during the year, and a managed fund comprised of generous donations and bequests by Rotarians, their families and friends. The club’s foundation also administers several scholarships on behalf of the community-based Westfield Foundation.”

This year, two scholarships will be available to students who are enrolled or plan to enroll in law school. “Unlike our other scholarships,” says Mrs. Ensslin, “Students applying for the law scholarships must be graduates of Westfield High School. Our law scholarships are granted in honor of the late Bob Read, who was both past president of the Westfield Rotary Club and chairman of our scholarship committee for many years.”

WSH seniors may apply for a Rotary scholarship by contacting their guidance counselor to obtain the appropriate forms and instructions.  Seniors who live in town and attend other high schools as well as applicants for the post-grad law scholarships may download information from WestfieldRotary.com and send completed application with its specified components to

Mrs. Liz Ensslin, Chairman, Westfield Rotary Scholarship, Westfield Area Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090.  Inquiries may be directed Mrs. Ensslin directly at liz@westfieldrotary.com.