Upper Bay Ruritan Club Invests in the Future
Published on October 16, 2025
CECILTON, Md.: The Upper Bay Ruritan Club, a longtime supporter of youth and community development, welcomed Bohemia Manor High School graduates to its October meeting Tuesday night to celebrate their achievements and scholarship awards. Over the past 20 years, the club has provided more than $100,000 in scholarships to local students pursuing higher education through Cecil College.
“As a civic club, we want to invest in the young people within the community. Hopefully they will return to the community after college to do great things in their careers. We encourage students to take stock in the opportunities and the challenges that rural communities such as ours face. We look at students as the next generation that will carry on this good work for future generations of folks,” said Upper Bay Ruritan Club President Jeremy Rothwell.
The scholarships have played a crucial role in helping students earn degrees that will not only enrich their lives but also contribute to the prosperity of Cecil County. The recipients are studying fields such as nursing, elementary education, and general education.
Among the five Cecil College students receiving a scholarship from the club was sophomore Addie Sample, who will complete the pre-requisite courses this fall in order to apply for the nursing program in January.
“I had the opportunity to shadow my friend’s mom at Christiana Care Hospital, who is an X-ray technician in the OR. That is when I decided that I definitely want to work in a hospital environment. There are so many different fields to focus on in healthcare,” said Sample, who has embraced the opportunities she has discovered at Cecil College. “I’m honored to receive this Cecil College Foundation scholarship from this Ruritan Club, and I will work very hard to make everyone proud.”
Also present at the annual presentation dinner was freshman Kayla Proctor, who talked of finding her feet at Cecil College and discovering a love for photography.
“At first, I didn’t think I would like the photography course, but I just love everything about it,” said Proctor, who is focused on completing her general studies this year, but is considering exploring a career in healthcare. “I, too, had a chance to shadow my aunt at the hospital. She is a radiological technician and that is something I want to explore.”
The Ruritan Clubs are service organizations rooted in small towns and rural areas, addressing community needs through various initiatives. Their mission focuses on Fellowship, Goodwill, and Community Service.
“The Upper Bay Ruritans have generously supported our college for many years, making a significant impact in the lives of our students,” remarked Cecil College President Dr. Mary Way Bolt.
Thanks to organizations like the Upper Bay Ruritan Club, the Cecil College Foundation awards more than $500,000 annually in student scholarships. In the past two decades, the Upper Bay Ruritan Club alone has contributed more than $100,000 through its fundraising efforts.
The Upper Bay Ruritan Club’s next fundraising event is its annual Spaghetti Dinner that will be held on Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Hacks Point Fire Company in Earleville, Md. Doors open at 4 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $8 for children 6-12, and children under five are free. All proceeds benefit college scholarships for local students.
For more information, please contact: Cecil College Foundation at foundation@nullcecil.eduor visit cecil.edu/scholarships to apply for this and all other foundation scholarships.