The recipients of the scholarships presented to students of four local schools by the Allentown West Rotary recently had one thing in common - they said college was expensive and they were grateful for the contribution.

Rotary President Lise Twilford said it was so nice to see so many brilliant children and their parents. She welcomed everyone to the Community Service Center at Lehigh Carbon Community College which hosted the event.

Dr. Thomas Leamer, vice president of academic and student affairs, congratulated the students for their accomplishments "of which they can be proud."

The building where the meeting was held is less than two years old. The floor opens up to create a large ballroom. There are new athletic fields and Berrier Hall has a fitness center and game room.

The administration center is newly renovated and has a university center to allow university partners on campus. Last fall Bloomsburg began a bachelor of applied science degree and Temple has a bachelor of science - both on the LCCC campus.

LCCC is one of 14 colleges that received a $2 million grant with emphasis on student success. There are $5,000 grants for students enrolled in one of the STEM courses: science, technology, engineering or mathematics.

Bob Nagle, education member of the Rotary, said he had the privilege of presenting the scholarship recipients.

"We are holding this breakfast meeting in this building of higher learning. We are always proud of this event and the talent is fantastic collectively and individually. It was a daunting task to make the selection. Over the years Rotary has given a quarter million dollars to community groups and scholarships. We help with malaria nets, shelter boxes, polio eradication and third grade dictionaries. The superintendents will present the checks," he said.

From Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, the recipients were Jessicca Rosario of Salisbury High School and Sol Jusino of Dieruff High School. Rosario will attend West Chester University to study emerging health, and Jusino will attend Northampton Community College for early childhood education.

The checks were presented by Director Sandy Hime.

Parkland recipients were Erin Korp and Andrew Berdahl. Korp will attend Bucknell University where she will play volleyball. She said college is "kind of expensive so I appreciate the check." Berdahl will attend Muhlenberg College, which was also his father's alma mater. He appreciates his parents' efforts on his behalf.

The Parkland superintendent is Robert Sniscak, but it was Andrew's father, Jeff Berdahl, who made the presentations because he is a former president of Rotary.

Mary Anne Wright, superintendent of Northwestern Lehigh, said she wanted to say a few words about the recipients. Both made several trips when senior awards were presented. Abigail Sanders played softball and Ashley Eden played volleyball and both will attend Wilkes University.

Rotary's Barbara Kistler said that for LCCC there are a couple of people who have dreams and Rotary likes to help people with dreams. They were Kaitlyn Shylack and Laura Tominaj.

Nagle said, "What we have heard is that college is expensive. When you are through school, come back and join Rotary.