The West End Rotary Club has awarded two Bootstrap Scholarships to area students.

The 2009 winners are:*Kelsey N. Overfield of Saylorsburg, a pharmacy major at Wilkes University. Despite personal challenges, she maintains a demanding academic schedule and volunteers with Special Olympics and the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.*Michael A. Green of Saylorsburg, an exercise science major at Bloomsburg University. He was chosen because of his volunteer work in college and his involvement with the club's garden project on Route 209 in Gilbert.The club established the Bootstrap Scholarship to reward college students who face difficulties when deciding whether to continue with or return to school.The scholarship is given periodically to those who excel in academics and community service. Some consideration is given to financial need."These students persevere in the face of challenges that would derail the academic plans of others," said scholarship committee chair Dan Mauger. "In effect, they pull themselves up by their own bootstraps.West End Rotary's Scholarship committee noted that "All of the students who applied for the scholarship are deserving of support. All are working to contribute to their education. Most are receiving financial aid. And all are involved in community service. They embody the spirit of Rotary's motto 'Service above self.'"West End Rotary meets every Thursday at 7:30 a.m. in the community room of the Western Pocono Community Library. For more information visit the club website at

www.westendrotary.org.