Champions and Stewards of the Styres Scholarship
- Jessica Lee
- Aug 18
- 5 min read
At the Rotary Club of the Capital City, we know that education changes lives. For nearly four decades, our Foundation has made that belief real through the Robert N. Styres Scholarship Fund, a program named in memory of a beloved Rotarian who dedicated his life to service, mentorship, and community.
Bob Styres was more than a name on our scholarship. He was a steady presence, a leader, and a friend who modeled “Service Above Self” every day. Whether in his professional life, his military service, or his Rotary commitment, Bob showed what it meant to give generously of one’s time and talents. His legacy endures in the students who have been able to attend college thanks to the scholarship fund that bears his name.
Today, that legacy is carried forward by Rotarians like Mary Konwinski, chair of our Styres Scholarship Committee. Mary has poured her energy, experience, and compassion into the program, ensuring that each year’s scholars are not only awarded funds but also welcomed into the broader Rotary family. Under her stewardship, the scholarship has expanded its reach, gained new supporters, and remained focused on the students who need it most: resilient young people who have overcome significant challenges and yet continue to pursue education with hope and determination.
Service Above Self
Sophia currently serves as President of the Interact Club of Beirut Cosmopolitan / Interact Club of Fuquay‑Varina, a Rotary-sponsored youth service organization, and has held this position since June 2021 — reflecting over four years of consistent commitment LinkedIn. Under her leadership, the Interact Club is a dynamic platform where high school students engage in meaningful community service, leadership development, and international fellowship all in the spirit of Rotary's motto, Service Above Self.
Leadership & Service
Jamela has demonstrated consistent leadership and community engagement through both volunteer work and student organizations:
Teen Board Member, Note in the Pocket (2023–2024)
Organized and executed clothing drives and fundraisers to support local families.
Attended monthly board meetings, contributing ideas and youth perspectives to nonprofit initiatives.
Co-Founder & Co-Chair, Offering a Hand (Wake STEM Early College High School)
Planned and led volunteer events in partnership with community organizations.
Fostered student participation in civic service through structured programs.
Chick-fil-A Leader Academy Member
Developed leadership skills through a nationally recognized program.
Organized fundraising initiatives for community-focused projects.
These experiences underscore her capacity to lead with empathy, collaborate with peers, and take initiative in addressing community needs.
Community Engagement
As a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, Ayana contributes to essential community-building efforts supporting the construction and repair of homes for families in need. This commitment to service embodies Rotary’s foundational principles of dignity, compassion, and community impact. Ayana Richardson is currently pursuing a Pre-Law track at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). Her academic path reflects a keen interest in justice, public service, and leadership within her community.
The Styres Scholarship reminds us that Rotary’s greatest champions are not only those whose names are remembered, but also those who quietly serve year after year to keep hope alive for the next generation. The fund has endured because of faithful stewards Rotarians who tell the stories, organize the fundraisers, and encourage our scholars long after the applause of the award ceremony fades. In these efforts we see the best of Rotary: a community of people who give their time and talent so that others may discover their potential.
What makes this program especially meaningful is that it celebrates resilience. Each Styres Scholar has faced obstacles, and yet each has chosen perseverance over surrender. By standing beside them, Rotarians affirm the simple but powerful truth that someone believes in their future. That belief can change the trajectory of a life. It is not just dollars invested in tuition, but confidence invested in character, service, and dreams.
This year’s recipients join a family of scholars who carry forward the ideals of Rotary in their own unique ways. Whether through community service, academic pursuits, or professional aspirations, they reflect the enduring impact of a scholarship rooted in compassion and vision. They are proof that when a community comes together to champion education, the benefits ripple far beyond a single student touching families, neighborhoods, and entire generations.
As Rotarians, we are proud to be both champions and stewards of this legacy. Champions, in that we advocate and fundraise for a cause greater than ourselves. Stewards, in that we faithfully preserve the vision of Bob Styres and pass it on through the lives of students who will one day lead and serve in their own right. In every scholar’s success story, we see a reflection of Rotary’s mission: service that uplifts, empowers, and endures.
Why We Serve
We serve because men like Robert Styres showed us what service looks like. In his military uniform, Bob stood tall for his country. In Rotary, he stood tall for his community. His life reminds us that service is not about recognition, but about giving of yourself so that others may stand a little taller too.
The Styres Scholarship is not simply about tuition checks or academic success. It is about honoring the spirit of those who came before us, who believed that by lifting up even one student, we lift up the future. Every scholar who receives this award carries a piece of Bob’s legacy, a living reminder that true service echoes through generations.
We serve because hope is contagious. When we invest in students who have faced hardship yet dream boldly, we plant seeds of resilience, compassion, and leadership that grow into something larger than any one of us. That is the heart of Rotary. That is the reason we continue.
And so, with gratitude for Bob Styres’ example and pride in the scholars who follow in his footsteps, we serve. Because service is not just what we do — it is who we are.
Want to Join Us?
When you see a Styres Scholar like Jamela Pagan speaking with Rotarians, sharing her hopes for the future, you see the heart of Rotary. It’s not just about scholarships, service projects, or fundraising it’s about people coming together to lift one another up. Around the table, across generations, we are linked by a simple belief: that when we serve, lives change.
If you’ve ever wanted to be part of something bigger than yourself, this is your invitation. Come sit with us. Share a cup of coffee, share a story, share a laugh — and discover how much joy there is in giving. Whether it’s building a home, mentoring a student, or cheering on a young scholar as she takes her first steps into adulthood, there is a place for you here.
We’re more than a club. We’re a family of champions and stewards, carrying forward legacies like that of Bob Styres and celebrating futures like those of Jamela and her fellow scholars. And if your heart is still reading these words, we suspect it already knows: there’s a chair waiting for you at our table.
Rotary Club of the Capital City – People of Action in Raleigh
Serving as chair of the Styres Committee is a labor of love.
Love supporting the Styres Scholarship fund! What a great cause for the community.
Our club is really gaining momentum with new members joining our efforts in serving our community. We are focusing on our scholarship initiative for this year please check our membership
The Styres Scholarship is so imactful for the recipients and I'm proud to be part of this Rotary Club for what they do.
Great information. Bob was a really great guy!