2023 Lewiston Kiwanis Club scholarship recipients

Congratulations to the Kiwanis Club of Lewiston Scholarship winners Amanda Huang, Arabella Ruest, Sarina Singh and Sarah Streb. The Lewiston Kiwanis Club awarded each recipient with a $1,000 scholarship.

The William and Joanne Roth Memorial Scholarship, in the amount of $1,000, was awarded to Logan Monteleone, who will attend the University of Tampa and major in psychology.

She said she is proud to have grown up in a family dedicated to giving back to the community. Logan has volunteered at the Niagara County Peach Festival, Lewiston Dance, Community Missions, and the Niagara Falls Firefighter Christmas Telethon. In memory of her brother, she also helps her family with the Mason Forever Foundation. That organization supports youth sports and grants scholarships to students pursuing degrees in the medical, health or fitness fields.

Logan’s volunteer experience as a camp counselor for the Niagara Falls Boys and Girls Club influenced her decision to pursue a career in child psychology and work with children in hospitals or in a school setting.

She said, “Giving my time and attention to show the children that they matter, and that I care, helped them realize their value. Experiencing a different perspective and seeing the children blossom as they gained confidence was really something special to me.”

Amanda Huang plans to attend Yale University and study chemical engineering on a pre-medicine track. Her long-term goal is to be a physician, and she hopes to dedicate her career to helping others.

Amanda is an active member of Key Club and has participated in many volunteer activities. Inspired by a friend who battled cancer, she organized a schoolwide campaign to raise awareness and money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. In addition, she has volunteered with the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, Luna Medical Center, and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Institute.

She stated, “My work in community service instilled a passion for helping others and my local community. Whether I’m volunteering at a hospital or cleaning up the beach with Key Club, I know that each opportunity will allow me to interact with the world around me – making our town a better place.”

Arabella Ruest intends on majoring in public policy at Hamilton College. She is an active member of Key Club and has volunteered at numerous events such as the Peach Festival food tent, Lewiston Earth Day clean up, Niagara Falls High School veterans lunch, and Community Missions.

The volunteer experience that made the most impact on Arabella is the Wear N’ Share Community Clothes Closet.

She said, “I have found my calling in the field of public policy; learning the complex processes that result in change and implementing that knowledge to foster progress. I’d like to ultimately utilize my degree within the federal government, working to provide more opportunities for the disadvantaged communities I’ve had the privilege of serving, and I will be able to thank the Wear N’ Share for helping me find my purpose.”

Sarina Singh will attend the University of Michigan and major in environmental engineering. She has been involved in many volunteer experiences through Key Club. She has also volunteered with the PEC Summer Remediation Program, Lewiston Public Library, Sikh Cultural and Educational Society of WNY, and Elderwood Nursing Facility.

The Network of Religious Communities Youth Committee offered many meaningful volunteer experiences for Sarina.

She said, “Serving on this youth committee helped me see the world through different eyes.”

The committee celebrates cultural and spiritual diversity and promotes working together for justice, peace, and the common good.

Sarina stated, “I experienced the joy of giving selflessly and also learned the value of persistence in pursuing a worthwhile goal. It is these characteristics of community service that inspired me to choose an educational path that will allow me to give back to many communities in different ways. I aim to improve the quality of life for people around the world by engaging community members to focus on issues that are most impactful to them.”

Sarah Streb plans on pursuing an undergraduate degree in biological sciences at Binghamton University, followed by earning certification to become a physician assistant.

Sarah enjoys volunteering through Key Club, as well as volunteering for the First Presbyterian Church Vacation Bible School and the Joy Team. Sarah co-created the Red Sweater Youth, a week-long volunteer program for teenagers giving them opportunities to give back to their community and form connections with neighbors.

She explained, “Through bonding activities and volunteer work, teenagers could show love to senior citizens, the community, and one another.”

She also stated, “As a physician assistant, it would be my goal to look out for those that feel invisible. Being able to not only show compassion to them but to act as a beacon of hope for those who feel underrepresented is the most rewarding outcome of my future career that I could ask for.”

The Kiwanis Club said, “Each of the recipients was chosen for their high academic achievement, leadership skills, and community service involvement.”