Around Town

Watertown Rotary Members from Past and Present Gather to Celebrate 100th Anniversary

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The Rotary Club of Watertown celebrated 100 years with a dinner on June 24. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

WALTHAM — For a century, the Rotary Club of Watertown has been coming together to make the community a better place, and put service above self. The Club has a variety of events, including hosting the Senior Citizen Cook Out for more than 30 years, awarding scholarships to Watertown High School students, and hosting the Dancing With the Stars event. Watertown Rotarians from as far back as the 1980s joined current active members on June 24 to celebrate the Club’s 100th anniversary at an event held at Stazione di Federale in Waltham. Longtime Rotarian, and emcee for the evening, Paul DerBoghosian said that Watertown’s club was founded 25 years after the first Rotary Club was founded when Paul Harris brought a group of people together in Chicago to make their community and our world a better place together.

Schools

Watertown Rotary Club Offering Scholarships for Watertown Seniors

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The following information was provided by the Rotary Club of Watertown:

All residents of Watertown who are high school seniors and applying to college are eligible for Watertown Rotary Scholarships. The amount of each award and the number of scholarships granted are determined on a yearly basis. 

All eligible residents must submit completed applications, postmarked no later than April 18, 2025 to:

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEEROTARY CLUB OF WATERTOWNc/o Anthony Donato42 Arden RoadWATERTOWN, MA 02472

The form must be completed in full and accompanied by a transcript and letter of recommendation to be considered a valid application. Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed by the Scholarship Committee. All information supplied on this form will be kept strictly confidential. Only one application need be submitted to be eligible for consideration for all scholarships available through the Rotary Club of Watertown.

Schools

Students Wanted to Participate in Rotary Youth Leadership Awards

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Watertown students can apply to be part of the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. The Rotary Club of Watertown provided the following information. The Rotary Club of Watertown is actively searching for qualified candidates to attend this year’s Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Conference to be held June 27-29, 2025, at Fitchburg State University. This annual leadership conference offers outstanding high school sophomores an opportunity to live, work and interact together in an atmosphere of friendly competition. It is a program designed to challenge the participants to utilize and improve their skills and accept the responsibilities of leadership.

Around Town

Holiday Mixer & Toy Drive to be Hosted by Rotary Club & Watertown Business Coalition

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The Rotary Club of Watertown and the Watertown Business Coalition invite the community to join them for the third annual Holiday Mixer and Toy Drive on Dec. 2. See more details below. The Watertown Business Coalition, the Rotary Club of Watertown, and the Mosesian Center for the Arts are teaming up for the 3rd Annual Holiday Mixer and Toy Drive. The event will be on Monday, December 2nd from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St, Watertown.

Around Town

See Photos from the 2024 Dancing With the Watertown Stars

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Photo by Charlie BreitroseJen Nichoslon, who works at the Commander’s Mansion, and Kemar Bennett perform during the 2024 Dancing with the Watertown Stars. People packed the Friday night to see 10 Watertown stars kick up their heels on the Hellenic Cultural Center dance floor during the 2024 Dancing With the Watertown Stars. More than 400 people cheered on teachers, a police officer, an insurance salesman, a photographer, a cable news director, a principal and more during the event hosted by the Rotary Club of Watertown. Photo by Charlie BreitrosePhotographer Vail Fucci and Cameron Gabehart partnered up for Dancing With the Watertown Stars. The Stars for 2024 were: Stephanie Barker, a special educator at Watertown High School; Joel Giacobozzi, WHS Principal; Amy Kirsch, a special educator at Lowell School; Dan Hogan, Watertown Cable Access news director; Jen Nicholson, events coordinator at the Commander’s Mansion; Vail Fucci, photographer; Raul Mendez, Watertown Police Officer; Amy Donohue, School Committee member; Christian Dallas, agent at Dallas Insurance Agency; and Maryann Swift, benefits and payroll at Watertown Savings Bank.

Schools

Watertown Rotary Club Offering Scholarships, See How to Apply

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The following information was provided by the Rotary Club of Watertown:

All residents of Watertown who are high school seniors and applying to college are eligible for Watertown Rotary Scholarships. The amount of each award and the number of scholarships granted are determined on a yearly basis. 

All eligible residents must submit completed applications, postmarked no later than April 12, 2024 to:

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEEROTARY CLUB OF WATERTOWNc/o Anthony Donato42 Arden RoadWATERTOWN, MA 02472

The form must be completed in full and accompanied by a transcript and letter of recommendation to be considered a valid application. Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed by the Scholarship Committee. All information supplied on this form will be kept strictly confidential. Only one application need be submitted to be eligible for consideration for all scholarships available through the Rotary Club of Watertown.

Around Town

Watertown Rotary Dancing With the Stars is Back — See Ticket & Sponsorship Options

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The following announcement was provided by the Rotary Club of Watertown:

The Rotary Club of Watertown is delighted to announce the return of our most highly anticipated annual event! We humbly ask that your business or organization consider offering your support as we raise funds to support our keystone programs such as our High School Senior Scholarship program, Senior Cookout, support of local food pantries etc. Event Presenter & Exclusive Named Sponsor: VIP tickets for 10. All event advertising will have your name along with the Rotary Club . $5,000.00 (limit one at this level)

★ Table Centerpiece Sponsor★ Step & Repeat listing (top)★ Business name on 100 yard signs★ Receive at least 10 sponsor mentions on social media and Watertown Rotary website (2 uniquementions)★ Full-page Advertisement (color) in print and digital Program book★ Sponsor mention in print & digital Program Book★ 5-minute speech/spotlight during the event

Gold: VIP tickets for 5.

Around Town

Tradition of Giving Gifts to Kids in Need That was Started by Former Watertown Police Officer, Continues Today

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Toys collected for the Whooley Foundation during a recent drive. Pictured, from left, Rotary Club President Kim Severino, Watertown Business Coalition Co-President Doug Orifice, Whooley Foundation President David Collins, Watertown Business Coalition Co-President Bob Airasian, and Mosesian Center for the Arts Executive Director Darren Farrington. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Every year, days before Christmas, toys donated from around the community fill the Community Room at the Watertown Police Station in preparation to be distributed to families in need around the community. The drive is organized by the Sonny Whooley Foundation, named for a former Watertown Police officer known for his generosity, said David Collins, president of the Whooley Foundation. Over the years, the Whooley Foundation has helped thousands of families, Collins said.