Investing in Hamilton's Future: The Rotary Club of Hamilton Celebrates 2026 Scholarship Recipients

Every year, the Rotary Club of Hamilton has the privilege of recognizing young people who exemplify what it means to serve their community, pursue academic excellence, and lead with purpose. This year's scholarship luncheon brought together recipients, their families, school administrators, and committee members to celebrate five extraordinary students from Hamilton High School and Badin High School.

Hamilton Rotary Club Scholarships

The Hamilton Rotary Club awards three $2,000 scholarships annually, evaluated on community and school service, academic achievement, and financial need. All recipients must live within the City of Hamilton.

Jasica Pal is a first-generation college student from HHS whose resume reads like a blueprint for civic engagement. She has been active in Student Council, National Honor Society, ASTRA, the Multicultural Club, Debate Club, Upward Bound, and 17Strong. She also participated in Miami University's Ohio Innocence Project. Jasica will attend the University of Louisville, pursuing a double major in Criminal Justice and Political Science.

Riley Bowling doesn't just participate in service, she builds it. In addition to her involvement in Student Council, Youth Leadership in Government, Hamilton Youth Philanthropy, the 17Strong Student Commission, and Envision Partnerships, Riley founded the Fairfield Youth Philanthropy Committee. She heads to Miami University to study business analytics.

Jerry Snellgrove of Badin High School is a student council president, National Honor Society member, and multi-sport athlete in football, soccer, and track. He has given back through the Boys & Girls Club, Serve City, and Hamilton Living Water. Jerry will run track at Miami University while studying Political Science on a pre-law track.

Service Above Self Awards

Each year, one student from HHS and one from BHS receives the $500 Service Above Self Award, selected by their school based on outstanding volunteerism.

Riley Bowling earned this honor from HHS in addition to her Rotary scholarship, a testament to the depth of her commitment to her community.

Olivia Klefeker of Badin High School is described by her school counselor as "far and away, one of the most selfless and empathetic students I have worked with." Since her freshman year, she has sought out every opportunity to serve. She has participated in three Summer in Solidarity immersive service trips, traveling to Montgomery, Alabama; Graham, North Carolina; and El Paso, Texas. Her local involvement spans Hamilton Living Water, the BTW Center, A Kid Again, YoungLives, Hamilton Urban Gardens, Village Food Pantry, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. A senior member of Badin's Service Leadership Board, Olivia will study Biomedical Engineering at the University of Cincinnati.

Ryan B. Hall Scholarship

Established in 2010 in honor of longtime Rotarian and Club President Ryan B. Hall, this $2,000 scholarship supports an HHS student who has participated in show choir or theatre, with preference given to students pursuing the performing arts.

This year's recipient, Madeline Wagonfield, is exactly the kind of student Ryan Hall would have celebrated. She served as President of the Big Blue Company drama club, co-president of Tri-M Music Honor Society, Editor-in-Chief of the student magazine Out of the Blue, and performed with Show Choir, Prestige, and Enharmonix, a new a cappella group she helped launch. She is also an active member of 17Strong. Madeline heads to Johns Hopkins University to study Molecular and Cellular Biology.

Congratulations to all five recipients. The Rotary Club of Hamilton is proud to support students who are already making Hamilton a better place, and who are taking that spirit of service with them wherever they go.

The Hamilton Rotary Club meets weekly on Thursday at Basil 1791 at 12 PM and is committed to fellowship, leadership development, and community investment.