Rotary Club of Clearwater Gives Scholarships for Future Leaders
Photo by Scott Hale In a meeting at the Belleair Country Club on Wednesday, May 5, the Rotary Club of Clearwater distributed scholarships to three deserving Clearwater High School. Rotarian Craig Gilman introduced the three, Leston Wayland, Zaf Goss, and Brian Andrasek, as having demonstrated remarkable character and succeeding despite significant adversity. One student indicated that he began school with a severe speech impediment. He rarely spoke and when he did, could not be understood. The School Board then placed him in a school where special instruction was provided for students with speech problems. Humor was added when the student said that in a couple of years he was speaking very well, and maybe too often, according to teachers who thought he was talking too much. Rotarian Fred Simmons, replacing Club President Dewey Williams for the day, remarked how much we should appreciate a public school system that will provide such specialized services that will help an individual successfully turn their life around. Simmons also challenged the students, that at some time in their future, to give back to the community and to help others, when the opportunity is available to them. Each student received a $2000 scholarship. Leston Wayland will attend St. Petersburg College, Brian Andrasek will go to Tallahassee Community College, and Zaf Goss, Valedictorian of his class, will enter the University of Florida. Attending the presentation was Cathy Andrasek, mother of Brian, who said this was an awesome experience. Glen Goss, father of Zaf, and Houston Wayland, brother of Leston, were also proud supporters. Marwan Stanford, Clearwater High School Guidance Counselor, praised all three students for being persistent in setting and reaching their goals.
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