Johnston Lions Club awards scholarships

The Johnston Lions Club has helped seven more residents pursue a post-secondary education.

During a ceremony held last Thursday evening inside The Bridge at Cherry Hill’s newly renovated bistro, the club presented seven scholarships to Johnston residents who are either entering their first year of college or who have already been at a college or university.

“This is a tremendous tradition that began back in 1985,” said Joseph K. Sabetta, a long-time Lions Club member who chairs the scholarship program. “It’s officially named the Armand Muto Scholarship Fund and was established to provide scholarships to graduating seniors that are Johnston residents.”

Sabetta, a certified public accountant, said the “scholarship fund is rather unique both in the way it’s managed and presented.”

“Our scholarship fund is managed by the Rhode Island Foundation,” he said. “Each year the foundation determines how much income from the fund is available for scholarships. In addition, the Johnston Lions Club makes an annual contribution to the fund that goes directly toward increasing the amount available for scholarships.”

Last Thursday evening, the club presented seven scholarships totaling $5,000 during a ceremony that included Lions officials and parents of four of the recipients.

Although no individual amount for any of the seven scholarships was announced, club president Joseph Swift – who doubles as executive director of Johnston’s Highland Park Memorial Cemetery – as well as each of the recipients and their parents were very appreciative.

What also makes the club’s scholarship fund unique is that winners can reapply for all four years of their college experience.

The first-year scholarships winners, and the respective schools they will enter in September, are: Feyisara Aikulola, URI; Mackenzie Carroll, Hofstra University; and Kiana Harriel, Wheaton College.

Craig Colson, a junior at Bryant University, was a repeat winner. The other three winners – who did not attend the presentation ceremony – were Matthew Courchaine, Justin Gonsalves and Brieana Thomas.

Perhaps Adejuwon Aikulola, Feyisara’s father, best summed up the night’s event.

“I personally want to thank the Lions Club for selecting my daughter to receive a scholarship,” he said. “My daughter and I certainly appreciated this grant. As everyone here knows, these types of awards go a long way in helping all our children obtain a college degree.”

Club members who took part in the ceremony were Robert Civetti, Chris Giardina and John Stroker.