Johnson earns 20k Rotary scholarship

A Hardin Valley Academy 2021 graduate was one of two selected to receive a $20,000 four-year scholarship awarded by the Rotary Club of Knoxville, which was presented during a ceremony earlier this summer at The Foundry in Downtown Knoxville.

Linnea Johnson, who graduated with a 4.55 weighted grade-point average and scored 34 on her ACT exam, received the James Schaad $20,000 Scholarship (four years).

“Since her mother is a cancer survivor, the family has significant medical debt,” a RCK press release stated.  “Linnea does extensive volunteering. She also started her own pet-care business, Mutt Strut, when she was 15. …  She will attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and pursue a career in occupational therapy.”

“This year we reviewed a record 70 scholarship applications from students representing 16 area  high schools,” said Jennifer Sepaniak, chair of RCK’s Scholarship Awards Committee. “All the finalists were impressive young people, and it was difficult to choose among them.” 

“This is always one of the best meetings of the year,” RCK president Ginny Morrow said. “Awarding scholarships is one of the most important things we do, and it’s so rewarding to keep track of the previous winners and their successes in life.”