There are many scholarships given by Rotary. Some are given by the Rotary Foundation, while others are given by local clubs.

All scholarships are given to students who are connected in some way to the idea of service.

Rotary Foundation gives an ambassadorial scholarship each year. It is awarded to a student for one academic year of study abroad.

The scholarship provides funding up to $25,000 for transportation, tuition, fees, room and board, supplies and language training.

The recipient of the scholarship visits international Rotary clubs, schools, civic organizations and forums. The recipient is asked to give 10 to 15 talks while abroad and at least eight when he returns home. The recipient also is expected to attend Rotary conferences to talk about the experience.

Recipients are chosen based on leadership abilities, a desire to help society and professionalism.

Derek Milo Kightlinger of Linesville was awarded the Ambassadorial Scholarship for the 2005-2006 school year by District 7280, of which Butler County is a part. He hopes to study at the University of Western Australia in Perth, Australia.

Applicants for the 2006-2007 school year must have completed at least two years of college-level work and cannot be Rotary members or be related to Rotary members. Applications are available from District 7280 Scholarship Chairperson, Nick Binder, 116 Nesbit Road, Apt. 19, New Castle, PA 16105, or at 724-654-1434. Applications are due by June 1.

Individual Rotary clubs award scholarships as well. One scholarship that is common to many clubs is the Student of the Month. The Portersville-Prospect Rotary Club has a method of choosing students and awarding the scholarship that may be different from other clubs.

The club asks the school's guidance office for a list of senior students who do community service and who do well in school. From that list, the club chooses nine students. One is named Student of the Month each month during the school year.

For the scholarship, all nine must write an essay. The essays are read and judged by someone outside of Rotary.

The winner gets a $2,000 scholarship to the school he chooses.