The Arlington Optimist Club recently presented scholarships to nine seniors graduating from county schools.
Stipends are awarded based on academic excellence, service to the community and financial need.
Scholarships of $5,000 were presented to Sydney Portillo of Wakefield High School, who will attend James Madison University; Finhas Asmalash of Wakefield, who will attend Virginia Tech; Liza Rose Koach of Bishop O’Connell High School, who will attend Virginia Tech; Malek Ben Hammouda of Washington-Liberty High School, who will attend the University of Virginia; Nour Ben Hammouda of Washington-Liberty, who will attend the University of Virginia; and Iman Ibrahim of Wakefield, who will attend the University of Southern California.
In addition, three Optimist Harrow Fund Scholarships have been awarded to seniors from the Arlington Career Center who are enrolling in programs that do not require a four-year college degree.
These scholarships include a computer with software and tech support, along with cash for books and supplies.
Awardees are Tania Yoselin Eucedas Izaguirre (who will be studying for a real-estate license), Emeli Molina-Benitez (studying to become a licensed practical nurse), and Melani Sejas (studying to become a certified nursing assistant).
Awards were bestowed by Debbie Whitenton, president of the Arlington Optimist Club, and Erica Burson, who chairs the Arlington Optimist scholarship efforts.
For more information, about the Optimist Club of Arlington, see the Website at www.optimistclubofarlingtonva.org.
