The liveliest luncheon of our year took place at the BYC this week, where we had the privilege of hosting our 2026 scholarship recipients and their families. This annual event represents the culmination of our work at Rotary: providing driven young minds with the financial foundation to pursue higher education. When we invest in our youth and keep them engaged, we take a tangible step toward a better, more resilient future.Congratulations to Marblehead Rotary's five outstanding scholarship awardees: Will Cruikshank, Chloe Rowland, Eldar Yakharou, Greyson Collins, and Eliza Kay. These recipients truly embody the values this scholarship celebrates: dedication, community spirit, and a passion for learning.
F. Carlton "Carl" Siegel Memorial Scholarship — Will Cruikshank
Presented for the inaugural time this year, the F. Carlton "Carl" Siegel Memorial Scholarship honors a beloved 33-year Rotarian, Navy veteran, and engineer who spent his life quietly serving and shaping Marblehead. As the long-serving chairman of the Water and Sewer Commission, Carl was the ultimate maker-centered citizen—hand-carving the town's park signs, stringing the lighthouse holiday lights, and even redesigning the weighted penalty flags used by NFL referees. This scholarship recognizes a student who shares Carl’s spirit of ingenuity and hands-on community dedication.
The first recipient of this outstanding award is Will Cruikshank, an exceptional leader who perfectly embodies that tireless drive. A stellar student tackling a rigorous AP curriculum, Will was elected class president three times and served as the student representative to the Marblehead School Committee, ensuring the student body had a strong voice. His leadership spans organizing local clothing drives, food collections, and veteran fundraisers, all while serving as a three-sport varsity captain for cross-country, indoor, and outdoor track. This fall, Will heads to Middlebury College to major in International Politics and Economics. We know Carl would be incredibly proud to see his standard of service carried forward by such a remarkable young leader.
Donald Humphreys Veterans Memorial Rotary Scholarship — Chloe Rowland
The Donald Humphreys Veterans Memorial Rotary Scholarship honors the enduring legacy of "Mr. Marblehead"—a dedicated Rotarian, respected veteran, and beloved friend of our community. Awarded to a student with strong academic standing, community volunteer activism, and a personal connection to military service, this year’s award resonates deeply. Recipient Chloe Rowland’s father is a West Point graduate, former US Army Officer, and combat veteran who served in Iraq, earning the Army's Meritorious Service Medal and the Naval Presidential Unit Citation. This history echoes the distinguished service of Don Humphreys himself, who served in the United States Marine Corps in the Pacific during World War II.
Chloe perfectly embodies the spirit of leadership and empathy that Don championed. This fall, she is heading to Providence College to major in Business and Marketing. A remarkably well-rounded student with a deep compassion for others, Chloe served as class president and spent four years as Vice President of our very own Interact Club. Her volunteer leadership spans working with seniors at The Mariner, participating in Best Buddies, serving at My Brother’s Table with her family, and organizing social activities for high school students with special needs. Chloe is also a powerhouse on the field: a varsity field hockey captain, a dedicated player for Marblehead and Boston lacrosse teams, a youth lacrosse referee, and a youth girls' lacrosse coach. As one of her teachers beautifully noted, "Given Chloe's strong work ethic and empathy for others, she will be an excellent addition to the college both inside and outside the classroom."
Rotary Academic & Community Service Scholarship — Eldar Yakharou
Our next recipient is Eldar Yakharou, a brilliant mind whose journey is defined by dedication and a profound appreciation for opportunity. Having moved to the United States from Belarus just ten years ago, with Russian as his native language, Eldar has achieved remarkable milestones through sheer perseverance. A high school honor roll student, he has earned prestigious recognition as an AP Scholar with Outstanding Academic Achievement. Eldar co-founded the Marblehead High School Chess Club, excels as a vital member of the math team, and has even launched a YouTube educational channel where he teaches logic, programming, and game design to a younger audience. Reflecting on his journey, Eldar shares: “As a family, we came to understand that success requires dedication, perseverance, and a strong commitment to values such as kindness, honesty, and respect for others.” This fall, Eldar will bring that stellar work ethic to the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he will major in Computer Science.
Rotary Academic & Community Service Scholarship — Greyson Collins
We are also thrilled to honor Greyson Collins, a standard-bearer for civic engagement and local storytelling. Greyson enters Tufts University this fall to major in Political Science and pursue a lifelong passion for journalism. His academic drive is nothing short of exceptional, having tackled 12 AP classes alongside three college courses at Salem State University, earning the Excellence in AP US History award. Greyson served as the Marblehead Representative at the Massachusetts Student Government Day at the State House, serves as president and co-founder of the MHS chapter of the Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society, and attended the 2026 Massachusetts Democratic State Convention as a delegate. Local readers likely already know his name: Greyson is the Editor-in-Chief of the high school paper, The Highlight, and works for our local newspaper, the Marblehead Current, covering everything from community news to local politics. Guided by the lesson that "in the most divided moments, good reporting has the power to bring people together," Greyson is well on his way to a brilliant career in journalism.
Rotary College Scholarship — Eliza Kay
We are also proud to award a scholarship to Eliza Kay, who is entering her sophomore year at Syracuse University to support her higher education journey. Described as a true "success scholar," Eliza earned a flawless 4.0 GPA during her freshman year while working on the crew for Syracuse’s live student broadcasts and volunteering with her sorority to support local domestic violence shelters.
When evaluating college candidates, our committee looks heavily at how students implement "Service Above Self" in their lives. For Eliza, that answer is found in her academic advocacy. Deeply moved by learning about the history of "redlining" and its systemic impacts on neighborhoods, Eliza shifted her major from Psychology to Political Science. Her goal is to use her education to design and implement public policies that build fairer, stronger communities. We are thrilled to support Eliza as she turns her passion for service into a meaningful career.
Get Involved with Rotary
If you're interested in becoming involved with the Marblehead Rotary Club and our various community-based initiatives, please join us at any of our meetings on Thursdays at 12:15 p.m. at the Boston Yacht Club.