Kiwanis Club of Lewiston announces scholarship recipients

Submitted by the Kiwanis Club of Lewiston

Congratulations to Ava Pauly and Owen Sweeney, recipients of the Kiwanis Club of Lewiston $2,000 scholarships, and to Mary Cardamone, winner of the $1,000 William and Joanne Roth Memorial Scholarship!

These annual scholarships recognize and support students who excel academically, demonstrate outstanding leadership skills, and make significant contributions to their communities. This year's recipients embody these values and have set a high standard for future applicants.

Ava Pauly plans to attend the University at Buffalo and will major in health sciences with a concentration in athletic training. An active member of her school and community, she credits her parents for inspiring her passion for volunteering. Ava has volunteered at events such as the Peach Festival, Art Festival, Indigenous picnic and fundraisers, Sanborn Farm Museum, Community Missions, Earth Day cleanups, and Kiwanis Easter egg hunts.

She shared, “I try to take any opportunity to volunteer because of the impact it can have on others and the great feeling of making a difference. I hope I can encourage others to give it a try and join me on the next volunteer opportunity!”

Owen Sweeney plans to attend the University at Buffalo, where he will major in mechanical engineering. He has dedicated many hours to volunteering through Key Club, his church, and Niagara Pioneer Soccer. Owen aspires to transform abstract ideas into tangible, impactful realities that can effect change on both individual and societal levels.

In his scholarship essay, Owen wrote, “I feel passionate about giving back to the community that I grew up in, and I am hoping to pursue an engineering career that can be a catalyst for creating for others.”

In addition to the Kiwanis Scholarships, the Kiwanis Club of Lewiston oversees the annual William and Joanne Roth Memorial Scholarship. Bill was a member of Kiwanis for over 40 years and his wife, Joanne, was a teacher at Lew-Port for 35 years. They dedicated their lives to helping others, especially underprivileged children and those in foster care.

This year’s recipient of the William and Joanne Roth Memorial Scholarship is Mary Cardamone. Mary will attend the American University and major in international relations and political science.

Mary's involvement with Key Club and her volunteer work at the elementary level ignited a passion for education, driving her aspiration to one day work as a teacher. Additionally, she is deeply committed to making a positive impact on the future of our environment.

In her essay, Mary wrote, “I believe we have a duty as humans to keep our world clean and safe.” She also stated, “I believe giving back to others is very important and it reminds you to be grateful for what you have. People often take many things for granted, but, by helping others, it creates a symbiotic relationship with you and your community.”

As they get ready to begin their next academic journeys, Ava, Owen and Mary leave a legacy of excellence, leadership and service that will surely inspire their peers and the broader community for years to come. Congratulations to Ava, Owen and Mary on this well-deserved recognition.

With young leaders like them, the future looks incredibly promising.