By Oniska Blevins | The Selma Times-Journal

The Rotary Club of Selma is having an oratorical scholarship contest on April 16 at noon at Windham Hall, located in downtown Selma.

Students will have a maximum of five minutes to make oral presentations to the club on why they deserve the scholarship, their future plans after high school and their service involvement.

Seven high school seniors, one from each public and private high school in the community, were nominated by their school counselors to make the presentations to the group.

Jerria Martin, chair of the Rotary Club scholarship committee, said these types of scholarships make a huge difference in the student’s lives. Martin said service is very important to the Rotarians and they will be interested to see how the students have been of service in the community.

“It’s a chance for them to introduce themselves to us and tell us how they lead in the community now and how they plan on leading in the future,” Martin said.

All participants will win a monetary prize for participating. First place will win  $1,500, second place $1,000, third place $500, and all other students will receive $150.

In addition to this scholarship, the club is involved with the youth in other ways as well. Since 2002, the club has had a leadership camp for high school juniors, where they provide Rotary Youth Leadership Awards to send a small group of students to Alabama’s Special Camp for Children and Adults, which provides camping experiences for children and adults with disabilities.