The Kiwanis Club of Club Phil-Mont presented the Anthony M. Leto Community Service Award to recent St. William Elementary School graduate Joshua Cruz and the Walter Gimbel Scholarship Award to Bishop McDevitt High School graduate Amy Keever (left) and Arcadia University student Kira Marchione. The students were recognized at a dinner on June 7 at Kelly’s Seaford, 9362 Old Bustleton Ave. They are pictured with Jim Spadotto, a past president of the Kiwanis club.
The Kiwanis Club of Phil-Mont has presented two scholarships and a community service award to local students.
The awards dinner took place on June 9 at Kelly’s Seafood restaurant, at 9362 Old Bustleton Ave.
The Walter Gimbel Scholarship Award is named in memory of a longtime member and past president known as the “father of the club” for his almost half-century of service.
One scholarship winner was Kira Marchione, a Neshaminy High School graduate who’ll be a senior at Arcadia University, where she is enrolled in a five-year program that allows a student to earn a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s in special education.
The other scholarship winner was Amy Keever, who graduated from Bishop McDevitt High School. A Lawndale resident, she is president of the St. William CYO. She’ll enroll in the business honors college at Drexel University.
The Anthony M. Leto Community Service Award is named in memory of a past president. This year’s winner is Joshua Cruz, who graduated last week from St. William.
Joshua, 14, suffered the loss of his father, Balbino, two years ago. His mother Rosa works three jobs, and he takes care of his 10-year-old sister and grandmother.
The teenager is a patrol leader with St. Helena-based Boy Scout Troop 109, and he plans to become an Eagle Scout. He is an altar server for the Spanish Mass at St. William.
He’ll attend Roman Catholic High School. ••
