Key Club Scholars Honored
The 2024 Key Club scholarship recipients were announced and their awards presented at the June 17th meeting.
Receiving the Kiwanis $2,500 scholarship for their freshman year in college were:
Danae Monroe (Community High School) who will attend Old Dominion University;
Julian Moore (Thomas Jefferson High School) who will attend the University of Richmond;
Cristian Ramos (Benedictine College Preparatory) who will attend the Catholic University of America.
Receiving the Charles Zoppa $2,000 scholarship for each year of his four-year college career is:
William Apostolides (Atlee High School) who will attend the University of Virginia.
These scholars together represented the spirit of Kiwanis in their academics, their leadership, their athletics, their commitment to volunteer service.
Danae Monroe, with a GPA of 4.58, said that as Key Club President she learned how to problem-solve, how to plan, how to get a diverse group of people to work together. "These are lifelong skills I will continue to use and I have Key Club to thank," she said. Club faculty advisor Hannah Shambley described Danae as an exceptional leader "who inspired her peers to actively engage in service initiatives with enthusiasm and commitment." A musician, Danae plays the violin.
Julian Moore, GPA 4.7 and Key Club President, Julian led his Club in numerous service projects including Angel Tree, the Ronald McDonald Houose and neighbor cleanups. He said these service opportunities "increased my sense of altruism. The lessons and skills cultivated in Key Club have helped me shape my character to one of reliability and helpfulness." Faculty advisor Matt Zipperer cited Julian's "dedication to school, academics and the community." He cited as examples volunteering to help fellow-students struggling with assignments and volunteering at an elementary school to help with art projects. Julian is an aspiring artist.
Cristian Ramos, GPA 3.71 has been a Key Clubber at Benedictine his entire four years. He served as Club President his senior year. He volunteered and led numerous projects ranging from the Marathon and 10-K water stops to Lift-Up Ukraine; from Project W.A.R.M. to Children's Hospital; from food drives to cemetery beautification. Proud dad and Key Club faculty advisor Major Rich Ramos said Cristian built the Club's membership to more than 90 this year. "He is a compassionate, resourceful and tenacious young leader," he added. Cristian was on the school's varsity rugby and varsity soccer teams.
From left to right: John McGinty, Cullen Vita, Will Apostolides, Julian Moore, Cristian Ramos, and Danae Monroe.
William Apostolides, GPA 4.53 is the recipient of the Charles Zoppa four-year scholarship funded by our deceased Kiwanis member through a trust at The Community Foundation. William, who graduated ranked four out of a senior class of 360, was a four-year Key Clubber. Over that time, he served as Club Treasurer and was Vice President in his sophomore, junior and senior years. Atlee faculty advisor Avanti Yamamoto said that "Will is everything you would like to see in an officer: dedicated, kind, consistent, dependable and hardworking. He is a leader in our school." He is also an athlete who played varsity soccer all four years, being named to the All-Region, All-State, All-Metro teams in his junior year and Atlee team captain his senior year. He was a member of the Richmond Strikers travel soccer team for ten years.
At the awards luncheon, recipient's parents, Club faculty advisors and the principal of Atlee High School were in attendance to celebrate the success of these students.
Also in attendance was the Club's 2020 Zoppa scholar, Cullen Vita who has just graduated from Wake Forest University. Because of Covid there was no presentation ceremony four years ago. The Benedictine graduate spoke of that and of starting his college career under Covid restrictions. He said attending Wake Forest was the "best decision" he has ever made. He thanked Kiwanis Richmond for a scholarship that helped him to have "the greatest experience these last four years. I'm incredibly grateful". He will be returning to Wake Forest to pursue a graduate degree.
As we recognize these young servant-leaders, we also give a special thanks to the Kiwanians who have supported them: our Key Club Committee Chair Jim Ryan; Kiwanis advisors Chris Beach, Matt Connors, and Barbara Dickinson; and other long-time committee members Jim Irby and John McGinty. Service leadership programs like Key Club are a signature feature of any vibrant Kiwanis Club, and keeping ours running strong is a beautiful example of teamwork and long-term dedication. If you are a Richmond Kiwanian interested in giving of our time and talent to this service arm of our Club, contact Jim Ryan or Club President Blake Eudailey!