Posted by Jennifer Bennerotte on May 19, 2017
The Rotary Club of Edina recently awarded scholarships to two Edina High School graduates.

Sofia Garduno and Abdigani Abdulkadir were each given $1,250 scholarships at a special breakfast at the Church of St. Patrick Friday, May 19. The presentation was made by the club’s Youth Service Director, Sam Thompson.
 
Sofia Garduno was a charter member of the Interact Club of Edina and most recently served as the club’s as director-at-large. This year, she also participated in the Rotary Club of Edina's “Do the Right Thing” leadership ethics seminar. She plans to attend the University of Minnesota to study journalism. 
 
“I ... take part in different school activities, as well as in the community through the Interact Club,” Garduno explained. “I also work hard academically to not only achieve good grades, but to gain knowledge and perspective in each class.”
 
 
Abdigani Abdulkadir has participated in many Rotary Club of Edina activities, including Camp Enterprise, Camp RYLA and “Do The Right Thing” leadership ethics seminar. He plans to study architecture as a first-generation college student.
 
“[The Rotary programs] have made me a strong leader at Edina High School,” he said. “Rotary showed me how to use teamwork and become a leader of my peers. I have also met local and corporate business owners whose personal stories motivated me to want to go to college and succeed. At Camp Enterprise, I was struck by how much work these entrepreneurs had to do and the obstacles they had to overcome in order to be successful. With this amount of stress, they never gave up and this fact has stuck with me and sticks with me every day.”
 
The Rotary Club of Edina selected the students for the scholarships based on their involvement with the club, community service and financial need.