Each year, the group presents scholarships to graduating seniors from Gresham, Sam Barlow and Springwater Trail high schools
For the 27th year, the Gresham Breakfast Lions Club honored the academic excellence and volunteerism of students from Gresham, Sam Barlow and Springwater Trail high schools.
The event was also intended to assist students challenged with sight or hearing, with a scholarship dessert at the Guide Dogs for the Blind campus in Boring.
Attended by 130 parents, club members, guests and award recipients, the April 17 event honored 31 students with plaques. Nine of the 31 students received $750 scholarships to schools of their choice.
These young adults are our best and brightest, said Tom Carter, Gresham Breakfast Lions Club president. They are all winners.
Since its inaugural event, the Lions Club has presented a total of $219,750 in scholarships to students.
The 2013 scholarship recipients are as follows:
Rachael Collmeer, Sam Barlow Rachael has taken numerous Advanced Placement classes and is a member of the National Honor Society. A concert choir member, she performed in many concerts as well as a state championship. Rachael has earned nine varsity letters in cross country, swimming and track. Twice, she was named captain of her team and enjoyed several conference awards. She has not yet selected a college, but intends to study dietetics.
Shannon Ernst, Gresham Shannon has taken many honors and international baccalaureate classes. She has also been actively involved in speech and debate as captain; an achievement award winner in Spanish; a National Honors Society member; and chemistry student of the year. In her spare time, she mentors young 4-H members and is involved in a camp for disadvantaged youths. Shannon's goal is to major in computer science at Oregon State, Stanford or Portland State University.
Kyle Espenas, Springwater Trail Kyle has been involved in the drama club as well as the leadership class. He also planned a food drive for the needy. His goal is to help people work through their problems in life and to learn to cope with their disabilities. To get some practical experience, he became a teacher's aide in an elementary school to assist children, many with learning disabilities, with their reading and comprehension skills. Kyle plans to study neuropsychology, starting at Mt. Hood Community College then transferring to Portland State.
Hannah Kim, Gresham Along with being a well-rounded student, Hannah is active in school activities and community volunteerism. A National Honors Society member, Hannah was a state finalist in DECA, an international association that prepares students to be leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, management and other business areas. She designed, created, publicized and sold T-shirts to provide funds for the homeless and is very proud of the Great Young Citizen Award she received from Mayor Shane Bemis. Hannah plans to study dentistry at a university on the East Coast.
Tiffany Martell, Springwater Trail Tiffany has had to work 110 percent to overcome the many difficulties in her personal life. Her positive attitude and outlook was responsible for her achieving Academic All Star status and outstanding arts and student of the month awards. Besides her academic achievements, Tiffany has been active in the photography, garden and cross country clubs. Her plans are to attend Mt. Hood Community College, specializing in its physical therapy assistant program.
Jessica Saray, Gresham Jessica is in the National Honor Society, consistently makes the academic honor roll and received the A.V.I.D. (Advancement via Individual Determination) award for four years. She has volunteered at the Mount Hood Medical Center, was a teacher's assistant at Dexter McCarty, acted as a festival supervisor at Highland Elementary School and helped at the Zarephath Kitchen. Shannon plans to study nursing at Linfield College or the University of Portland.
Kamrin Sorensen, Sam Barlow One of Kamrin's references describes her as having "fabulous work habits, peer collaboration, drive, intrinsic motivation and ambition. Kamrin has taken every honors and advanced placement class offered at Barlow. She is a member of the National Honor Society, a four-sport varsity athlete and the captain of three of them. She volunteers with Friends for Trees, the Johnson Creek Watershed Council, her church youth group and Kaiser Sunnyside Hospital. Kamrin aims to study biology at Gonzaga University, Whitworth University or Seattle Pacific University.
Nathan Titchenal, Springwater Trail Nathan is a quiet, unassuming student whose teachers say "his outstanding work speaks for itself. He excels in using computer applications in the areas of visual and oral history and musical composition, receiving the computer arts award. Along with Springwater Trail, he attended Ace Academy during his junior and senior years, earning the academic superstar award. Nathan's goal is to attend Mt. Hood Community College for design, architecture, arts and music.
Sarah Yates, Sam Barlow Sarah received the scholar of distinction award, which is given to students who have chosen to take the most demanding course work offered and maintained a high grade point average. She's also a member of the National Honors Society and accomplished this while volunteering in multiple extracurricular activities including Key Club, Oregon Food Bank, Oregon Animal Rescue, Friends of Trees, Big Sister program, My Father's House, Mount Hood Legacy Hospital and Gresham Manor Retirement Center. She plans to graduate with a bachelor of science degree in nursing from the University of Portland, George Fox University or Concordia University.