Club has been helping local students since 1970

By Staff Report
The Morgan Hill Kiwanis Club honored five Morgan Hill high school seniors with Turnaround Scholarships last month. Students who received the scholarships were considered at risk of not graduating during their early high school years but overcome their adversity and improved their academic performance.
Central High School Principal Irene Macias-Morriss introduced the students to the club members at a recent Kiwanis meeting.
Each Turnaround Scholarships recipient is awarded a $1,000 grant, renewable each year until the student has achieved his or her educational goal at a trade, college or university.
“Other organizations offer scholarships based upon summary grades,” said Mary Lou Conragan, a Kiwanis member who organizes the scholarship program for the Morgan Hill club. “We are trying to fill the gap locally for students who have experienced adversity which contributed to dropping out and poor grades during their early high school years. During their junior or senior year they have taken responsibility for their life and education. The Kiwanis would like to help them continue their education toward a rewarding career. We applaud their spirit.”
Turnaround Scholarship recipient Alban Diaz, the supervisor of the El Toro Youth Center in Morgan Hill, said the grant helps make a difference in his getting through college. “The Kiwanis is a great group that supports students that seek higher education,” he said. “With the donations from the Kiwanis Club, I am able to afford classes and books at San Jose State University. I hope the Kiwanis Club keeps supporting local students financially to help them achieve their goals. With their help, I am going to graduate in December.”
The Morgan Hill Kiwanis have been issuing Turnaround Scholarships to graduating seniors from the Morgan Hill School District since 1970. Much of their fund-raising is directed to providing the scholarships.
The Kiwanis raises Turnaround Scholarship money through its Summer Flea Market, a Cioppino Feed in October, a special scholarship fundraising dinner in April, parking cars at the American Kennel Club Dog Show, and many smaller work projects throughout the year.

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

• Tara Baisley of Central High School
• Elizabeth Esquivel of Ann Sobrato High School
• Gianni Guzman of Central High School
• Miranda Vargas of Central High School.
• Additionally, a scholarship was awarded to the outstanding Key Club member Megan Langga from Ann Sobrato High School because she showed great leadership in chartering the high school service club which she served as president.