Vaiva Raisys feels it’s important that she give back to her close-knit community, and the Mercer Island High School (MIHS) senior has stepped into action in a big way.
The 18-year-old is deeply involved with the philanthropic mother/daughter National Charity League; the school’s Best Buddies program, which bonds people with and without disabilities; volunteering at the city’s thrift shop; and helping deliver spirit to the school and community as a member of the drill team.
In late March, Raisys received the inaugural $10,000 Mercer Island Rotary Club Scholarship that will go toward her college education.
She received the award because of her history of community service, stellar grades and an understanding of representing Rotary — whose mission includes community outreach and service — said Wally Boos, Rotary member and chair of the scholarship committee.
“The Mercer Island community, specifically, I think just has a way of making you just want to give back because it’s such a great community,” said Raisys, whose volunteerism also extends to Unified Sports through Special Olympics.
Raisys, who sports a 3.94 grade-point average, enjoys helping others and being a mentor and role model to the younger girls of the National Charity League. She is drawn to the inclusion facet of Rotary’s vision statement and that aspect also comes into play while channeling her efforts into Best Buddies activities.
She has some helpful advice for others who might be thinking about volunteering in the community: “Do things that interest you and things that you’re passionate about. Truly do things that are authentic to you, because ultimately that’s what will make you happy.”
While Raisys hasn’t decided which college she’ll attend in the fall, she does plan on continuing her involvement with Best Buddies and connecting with new people along the way. For now, she aspires to focus her academic lens on psychology and gender and health studies.
On the Rotary front, the club plans to award the scholarship henceforth each year to a deserving high school graduate with the criteria focusing on service, academic achievement, character references and financial need, according to Boos. The award will contribute toward the post-high school education of a recipient who attends school on Mercer Island or lives on the Island and attends school elsewhere.
For many years, Rotary awarded a $3,000 vocational scholarship to one recipient through an outside organization, but the club has now chosen to go solo with its own award.
Eight students submitted applications to Rotary and the seven-member selection committee conducted some Zoom interviews and ultimately chose Raisys to receive the award on March 28 in front of MIHS alongside her parents, Victor and Laurie, owners of Island Books.
Boos said it was a tough decision and those students interviewed displayed maturity, confidence and respect. They are involved in community service, excel in the classroom and possess solid references from faculty members and community leaders.
Community members contributed the $10,000 to the scholarship and the club’s foundation will send a check to the school of Raisys’ choice in the first part of July.
To support the scholarship fund, tax-deductible donations can be sent to the Mercer Island Rotary Club Foundation Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1, Mercer Island, WA 98040. For more information, contact Boos at wally@bowfits.com.
