The Paul Harris fellows Scholarship was THE BRAIN CHILD OF JEFF WHITEHOUSE AND
WAS CREATED in 2003 for purpose of distinguishing and providing financial support to an overlooked
but deserving student In line with this criteria.:
WAS CREATED in 2003 for purpose of distinguishing and providing financial support to an overlooked
but deserving student In line with this criteria.:
LAST YEAR, ON its 20TH ANNIVERSARY, THE CLUB RETITLED the SCHOLARSHIP IN JEFF’S NAME
TO HONOR HIS MANY YEARS OF SERVICE TO OUR CLUB AND HIS strong COMMITMENT TO
THIS SCHOLARSHIP and its recipients.
This year Mr. Whitehouse passed away so this scholarship has become especially meaningful to our
Rotary club. Jeff was the kind of person who worked behind the scenes to help people who needed help
the most. He loved to seek out the student who had worked hard to overcome sometimes
extraordinary circumstances. I think his finest moment was when a previous Paul Harris scholarship
winner that he had selected, who is now a doctor, made a speech to our club that after she won the
Paul Harris scholarship she realized that she could now afford to go to the college of her choice and
difference that made in her life.
TO HONOR HIS MANY YEARS OF SERVICE TO OUR CLUB AND HIS strong COMMITMENT TO
THIS SCHOLARSHIP and its recipients.
This year Mr. Whitehouse passed away so this scholarship has become especially meaningful to our
Rotary club. Jeff was the kind of person who worked behind the scenes to help people who needed help
the most. He loved to seek out the student who had worked hard to overcome sometimes
extraordinary circumstances. I think his finest moment was when a previous Paul Harris scholarship
winner that he had selected, who is now a doctor, made a speech to our club that after she won the
Paul Harris scholarship she realized that she could now afford to go to the college of her choice and
difference that made in her life.
TODAY, we’ll award Jeff Whitehouse scholarships to TWO very deserving students:
FIRST, JANAYAH JONES
Raised by her grandparents, Janayah was inspired by their sacrifice and resilience. Taking the Business
Technology Program at Taconic she found that she has an interest in Business. She has achieved
excellent grades in this program. Her teacher, Ms Arace, commented “Janayah is a leader in the
classroom. Her critical thinking skills are prominently displayed in the questions she raises during class.
There is a clear drive to enhance and expand her skills and knowledge.” She has been an active
participant and Secretary of SkillsUSA making an impact on the school community.
In her work life, she has had to undergo some significant hardships as she works at Attorney Tom
Hamel’s office. Where she received a glowing letter of recommendation. Despite that she still thinks
that she’d like to be an attorney after attending Bentley College in the fall.
Her list of volunteer activities is a mile long, including United Way Community Cleanup, Danny Dollar
Fair, Reader Leaders at the Athenaeum, Student Council, and Linkcrew as a mentor to freshman
students. She is also the captain of the Volleyball team.
What really shined in her application was how actively she has been involved in her local community.
She has the honor of being selected as the Taconic student representative at the Pittsfield School
Committee meetings where she serves as the voice of her peers.
And finally in the words of one of her teachers, Mr. Phelps, “Janayah is Awesome!”
Raised by her grandparents, Janayah was inspired by their sacrifice and resilience. Taking the Business
Technology Program at Taconic she found that she has an interest in Business. She has achieved
excellent grades in this program. Her teacher, Ms Arace, commented “Janayah is a leader in the
classroom. Her critical thinking skills are prominently displayed in the questions she raises during class.
There is a clear drive to enhance and expand her skills and knowledge.” She has been an active
participant and Secretary of SkillsUSA making an impact on the school community.
In her work life, she has had to undergo some significant hardships as she works at Attorney Tom
Hamel’s office. Where she received a glowing letter of recommendation. Despite that she still thinks
that she’d like to be an attorney after attending Bentley College in the fall.
Her list of volunteer activities is a mile long, including United Way Community Cleanup, Danny Dollar
Fair, Reader Leaders at the Athenaeum, Student Council, and Linkcrew as a mentor to freshman
students. She is also the captain of the Volleyball team.
What really shined in her application was how actively she has been involved in her local community.
She has the honor of being selected as the Taconic student representative at the Pittsfield School
Committee meetings where she serves as the voice of her peers.
And finally in the words of one of her teachers, Mr. Phelps, “Janayah is Awesome!”
NEXT, KARALIN MELENDEZ
In her letter of recommendation, Karalin is identified as a standout student, she is the definition
of grit and determination. And she is one of the kindest and most helpful students at PHS.
Most of us here today completed 11 th grade and 12 th grade, but how many of us completed them
in the same year. Karalin had to manage a massive amount of college prep courses and
credits. She also works several part-time jobs outside of school to help raise money to support
herself and her mother, who she lives with.
of grit and determination. And she is one of the kindest and most helpful students at PHS.
Most of us here today completed 11 th grade and 12 th grade, but how many of us completed them
in the same year. Karalin had to manage a massive amount of college prep courses and
credits. She also works several part-time jobs outside of school to help raise money to support
herself and her mother, who she lives with.
Her guidance counselor, Joey Marshall, wrote “What impresses me most about Karalin is the
determination and work ethic she has applied when balancing her academics, social
development, and health/life challenges that have been thrown her way. From her early
medical issues as an elementary student she is truly the definition of what it means to overcome
adversity.”
Karalin will be attending _______________________- next fall, where she hopes to major in
_____________________
determination and work ethic she has applied when balancing her academics, social
development, and health/life challenges that have been thrown her way. From her early
medical issues as an elementary student she is truly the definition of what it means to overcome
adversity.”
Karalin will be attending _______________________- next fall, where she hopes to major in
_____________________
Mr Whitehouse would have been thrilled at the selection of Karalin Melendez as the Jeff
Whitehouse/Paul Harris Fellows scholarship winner.
Whitehouse/Paul Harris Fellows scholarship winner.