Westminster Rotary Scholarships


Applications Open for Class of 2025
Please read all requirements below and then proceed to the application.

 

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Have graduated, or be eligible to graduate, from:
    • Academy of Charter Schools
    • Belleview Christian High School
    • Bollman Technical Education Center
    • Broomfield High School
    • Flatirons Academy
    • Hidden Lake High School
    • Holy Family High School
    • Horizon High School
    • Iver C. Ranum Innovation Campus
    • Jefferson Academy
    • Legacy High School
    • Mountain Range High School
    • New America School
    • Northglenn High School
    • Pathways Future Center
    • Prospect Ridge Academy
    • Standley Lake High School
    • Stargate Academy
    • Thornton High School
    • Vantage Point High School
    • Washington Square
    • Westgate Community School
    • Westminster High School
    • and/or be an established resident of the City of Westminster
  • Provide two letters of recommendation
  • Submit COMPLETE scholarship application
  • Interview with the selection committee at the appointed dates, time and location
  • Attend at least one regularly scheduled Rotary Club of Westminster meeting if selected

Application Instructions

Scholarships to be granted vary in focus and criteria. Therefore, it is important to read through this entire summary to determine which scholarship you may be most qualified to receive.

  • Deadline for scholarship applications is February 28th.
  • Only completed and timely submitted applications using the online form (links at top and bottom of page) will be considered.
  • Letters of recommendation must include telephone numbers for follow up.
  • High school transcripts must include the name and telephone number of your counselor or a school administrator for verification.
  • Personal history essay must be typewritten, should be between 500-600 words, and should tell the reader something about who you are, where you have been, what you believe in, and where you are going with your education.
  • Questions should be directed to: debahaviland@yahoo.com or westminstercorotary@gmail.com.

Selection Process

Applicants will be selected based upon:

  • satisfactory references
  • academic record
  • demonstrated need
  • examples of Rotary principles in his/her life
  • 500-600 word personal history essay
  • personal interview with members of the Scholarship Selection Committee

Successful applicants will be notified by the last week of April.
Successful recipients will be asked to provide a recent photo. 

Recipient Reporting Requirements

 
It is the recipient’s responsibility to complete, sign and submit the Scholarship Recipient Award Acceptance/Terms and Requirements form to the Rotary Foundation Treasurer in order to activate the scholarship.
 
For 2nd semester funding, email a copy of the initial student signed scholarship acceptance form, as well as the 1st semester transcript copy, when available, to our treasurer at rjswestpark@gmail.com to expedite the funding process.
 
 
 

Available Scholarships

CHALLENGE SCHOLARSHIPS

Quantity – 7
Amount – $2,000 PER YEAR ($1,000 PER SEMESTER)

Challenge scholarships are for any students seeking to further their high school education at any institution of higher learning, including: vocational – technical schools, community colleges, four-year colleges and universities. Motivation to succeed, merit, and need will be primary criteria. Past academic performance, although considered, will not be a primary consideration.

Sarah Boller-Lock Challenge Scholarship

This scholarship is named for a former member who continues to make financial contributions to our scholarship program. In recognition, Westminster Rotary names one of the above Challenge scholarships in her behalf.

Successful recipients must be full time students at a post-high school institution and maintain a 2.5 grade point average to obtain second semester funding.

Second Year College Scholarship

Second year funding is available for one previous recipient of a Challenge Scholarship who has:

  • successfully completed one year of higher learning (vocational/technical school, community college, four-year college or university) and maintained
  • maintained a 2.5 grade point average
  • fulfilled all reporting requirements

RONDINELLI EDUCATION CAREER SCHOLARSHIP

Amount – $2,000 PER YEAR ($1,000 PER SEMESTER)
 
This one-year scholarship to be awarded to a student of Westminster High School, who will enroll in an accredited college or university to become a future teacher.
 
Successful recipient of the Education Career Scholarship must be a full time student at a post-high school institution and maintain a 3.0 grade point average to obtain second semester funding.
 
◆ This scholarship is funded through the generosity of the Rondinelli family to honor the memory of Carl Rondinelli.
Carl Rondinelli spent a lifetime in public education, starting as a teacher in Westminster Public Schools in 1949. He later served as principal of Westminster High School for many years, before becoming the district’s Director of Finance. Upon retirement, he culminated his distinguished educational career as a member of the Westminster Public Schools Board of Education from 1985-95.

MATTHEW K. ARCHER MEMORIAL IT SCHOLARSHIP

Amount – $4000 ($2000 per semester) 

This one-year scholarship will be awarded to a graduating high school senior seeking an IT degree at an accredited two-year or four-year institution. 

Successful recipient of the Information Technology scholarship must be a full-time student as noted above and maintain a 3.0 grade point average in order to receive second semester funding. 

◆ This scholarship is funded thanks to the generosity of Susan and Mike Archer, M.D. It is in memory of their son Matt, who earned a Master Degree in Business Administration and Master Degree In Business Analytics and began his IT career in Denver.

GAYESKI BUSINESS OR REAL ESTATE SCHOLARSHIP

Amount – $5,000 PER YEAR ($2,500 PER SEMESTER)

The recipient of this scholarship must be pursuing a business or real estate degree at a two-year or four-year institution with an accredited business or real estate department. Applicants need to have demonstrated active involvement in school leadership, community service, work, sports or other extracurricular activities. Social responsibility, a high level of integrity and financial need will be considerations.
 
Successful recipient of the Business or Real Estate Scholarship must be a full time student in college and maintain a 2.8 grade point average in the first semester in order to obtain second semester funding.

◆ This scholarship is funded through the generosity of the Gayeski family.

VRIESMAN FAMILY “HEART TO SERVE” SCHOLARSHIP

Amount – $3,000 PER YEAR ($1,500 PER SEMESTER)
This is a first year scholarship with an opportunity to apply for an additional
$1,500 second year scholarship.

This scholarship is for a graduating senior that has demonstrated a consistent heart for service. Some examples would be volunteering in a nursing home, hospital or school, helping students or athletes with special needs, food banks, or another volunteer commitment. This student seeks to further his/her high school education in their chosen career at a community college, four-year college or university, or technical school. Applicants need to have an accumulated high school grade point average of at least 2.8 with a solid record of volunteering.
 
Additional Eligibility Requirements:
 
  • The recipient must provide a plan for continuing to serve as a volunteer while attending their post-high school educational school.

SECOND YEAR VRIESMAN FAMILY
“HEART TO SERVE” SCHOLARSHIP

To encourage the recipient to have a heart to serve during his/her post-high school education, the first year recipient will be eligible to re-apply for second year funding of $1,500 if she/he has:
  • successfully completed one year of higher learning
  • maintained a 2.8 grade point average
  • demonstrated his/her dedication to serving others
  • fulfilled all reporting requirements
◆ Funded through the generosity of the Vriesman children in memory of their father, Dar Vriesman, who dedicated his life to serving others.
He was a well-respected minister, Rotary chaplain, in addition to a hospital and nursing home administrator. He read weekly to Westminster elementary school children who called him Grampa; served as a 10-year volunteer ambassador at Denver International Airport; supported his church homes in many selfless ways; and encouraged all his grandchildren, including those with special needs. Dar was a Rotarian for 50 years and lived the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.” He valued those who provided service and kindness to others.

BENNETT FAMILY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS

Quantity – 2
Amount – $2,500 PER YEAR ($1,250 PER SEMESTER)
These are one year scholarships.
 
These scholarships are directed at a graduating Senior student who resides within the city limits of Westminster or has graduated from an accredited high school within Westminster Public Schools. Interest in returning to the Westminster area is also a consideration. This is a one year scholarship only. The recipient must be enrolled or accepted at any institution of higher learning including: community colleges, four-year colleges, universities. Motivation to succeed, merit, need, past academic performance, involvement in extracurricular activities, will be primary considerations.
 
Successful recipients of the Bennett Family Memorial Scholarships must be a full time student and maintain a passing grade point average to obtain second semester funding.
 
◆ These scholarships are made possible through the generosity of the Westminster Rotary Club along with contributions from the Bennett Family to honor the memory of their parents Mary and Jim Bennett.
Longtime Westminster residents Mary and Dr. Jim Bennett strongly supported education as a means for new opportunities and a fulfilling life. They were both actively involved in volunteer organizations throughout their many years in Westminster. Whether it was the Westminster Rotary Club or the Hyland Hills Foundation, the Bennetts' always found the time to help others. This caring and giving attitude has been passed on to their children who wish to honor the memory of their parents with these scholarships so that those who want to improve their lives through education can have that opportunity

MIKE SCHAFFNER OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP

Amount – $4,000 PER YEAR ($2,000 PER SEMESTER)

Applicants need to have accumulated a high school grade point average of at least 2.5, which is trumped by a background that predicts a solid work ethic, tenacity and integrity, attributes embodied by Mike Schaffner.

Successful recipient of the Schaffner Opportunity Scholarship must be a full time student at a post-high school institution and maintain a 2.5 grade point average in the first semester in order to obtain second semester funding.
 
◆ Funded by the estate of Myer “Mike” Schaffner, via the generosity of daughter Susan Schaffner, administrator. A charter member of the Rotary Club of Westminster, Mike Schaffner was an active and contributing member for more than 50 years. A respected businessman in Westminster, Mr. Schaffner founded Peerless Tyre Company and developed the firm into a multi-state industry leader.

SCHAEFER ACCOUNTING OR REAL ESTATE SCHOLARSHIP

Amount – $2,000 PER YEAR ($1,000 PER SEMESTER)
This is a one year scholarship.

The recipient of this scholarship must be seeking a career in business, accounting, or real estate at a two-year or four-year institution with an accredited business or real estate department.
 
Additional Eligibility Requirement:
Applicants must have been active in their high school DECA or business club.
 
Successful recipient of the Accounting or Real Estate Scholarship must be a full time student in college and maintain a 3.0 grade point average in the first semester in order to obtain second semester funding.
 
◆ This scholarship is funded through the generosity of Ryan and Melissa Schaefer and the Schaefer family honoring long-time Westminster residents Ron and Linda Schaefer.

PAY-IT-FORWARD SCHOLARSHIP

Amount – $2,000 PER YEAR ($1,000 PER SEMESTER)
This is a one year scholarship.

The recipient of this scholarship will be seeking a degree at a college or university with an outstanding liberal arts curriculum.

Successful recipient of the Pay-It-Forward Scholarship must be a full time student in college and maintain a 3.0 grade point average in the first semester in order to obtain second semester funding.

◆ This special scholarship is initiated by Karsten Deuschle, a previous Rotary Club of Westminster Scholarship recipient. A graduate of Arizona State University, Karsten is now a Certified Public Accountant in Denver. Unsolicited, Karsten contributed to the scholarship fund to enhance the program, and Rotary has elected to acknowledge his generosity by providing matching funds for Paying-it-Forward.

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PAY-IT-FORWARD SCHOLARSHIP #2

 
Amount - $2,000 PER YEAR ($1,000 PER SEMESTER)
This is a one-year scholarship.
 
The recipient of this scholarship will be seeking a business degree at an accredited college or university. 
 
Successful recipient of this Pay-It-Forward scholarship must be a full-time student in college and maintain a 3.0 grade point average in the first semester in order to obtain second semester funding.
 
  • This scholarship is funded in part by Jorge Renteria.  Jorge was a full-time honors program student at the University of Boulder who majored in Business.  Jorge is a first-generation college attendee and is honored to provide funding to make this scholarship possible.  Jorge is a true example of Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self.

 

FLACHMAN COMMUNICATIONS MAJOR SCHOLARSHIP

Amount – $2,500 PER YEAR ($1,250 PER SEMESTER)
This is a first year scholarship with the opportunity to apply for an additional second year scholarship.

The recipient of this scholarship must be seeking a career at a private or public four-year college or university offering an accredited journalism, communications or media major. The pursued degree may be in print journalism (newspaper or magazine), electronic journalism (television/radio), communications, or public relations.
 
Additional Eligibility Requirements:
  • Applicants must have been active on his or her high school newspapers, and/or literary magazine, or yearbook in an editorial or writing capacity.
  • Applicants must provide samples of published writing.
Successful recipient must be a full time student in college and maintain a 3.0 grade point average in the first semester in order to obtain second semester funding.
 
◆ This scholarship is funded through the generosity of the late Wilbur E. Flachman, newspaper editor and publisher in the Metro North area, 1961-2000, and Dr. Marilyn Flachman, educator for 50 years and eight-year member of Westminster Public Schools Board of Education.

GUDENKAUF EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES SCHOLARSHIP 

Amount - $2,000 PER YEAR ($1,000 PER SEMESTER)

This is a first-year scholarship with the opportunity to apply for an additional second year scholarship of $2,000.

This scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior that strives to serve their community and seeks to further their education at a post-high school institution.

Successful recipient of the Service Career Scholarship must be a full-time student in a post-high school institution and maintain a 3.0 grade point average to obtain second semester funding.

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SECOND YEAR GUDENKAUF EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES SCHOLARSHIP

The recipient of the Gudenkauf Empowering Communities Scholarship is eligible and encouraged to re-apply for the second-year funding of $2,000 if he/she has:

•    Shown a continual commitment to serve the community

•    Successfully completed one year of higher education

•    Maintained a 3.0 grade point average

•    Fulfilled all reporting requirements

*This scholarship is funded through the generosity of the Gudenkauf Family, and Neighborhood Action Group (NAG).

The Empowering Communities Scholarship honors the Phenomenal Roger Gudenkauf, who devoted his life to community service through his involvement in his church, youth sports, schools, and other causes. NAG, his nonprofit, focused on fostering parent-child relationships, boosting self-esteem, preventing violence, and enhancing community communication.

Apply Online

If you have read and understand the requirements and meet the eligibility requirements, please use the link below to continue to the application in Google forms.
 
Applications deadline for Class of 2025 is February 28