The Manhattan Beach Rotary Club has crossed $1 million in cumulative scholarships awarded to local students over 35 years, the organization announced Thursday, July 3, as former Mayor Richard Montgomery took over as president with a stated goal of increasing annual giving to Mira Costa High School students.
The milestone places the club's scholarship program start at approximately 1991. Since 2008 alone, the club has directed $132,300 to more than 220 El Camino College students, in addition to its ongoing Mira Costa awards, according to a letter from Rotary public relations co-chair Lisa Schlager published in the Daily Breeze on Wednesday, June 25.
Montgomery, who previously served the club as secretary, programs director, and service director, plans to boost annual scholarship support for Mira Costa students and raise community awareness of Rotary's local impact, MB News reported Thursday. No specific dollar increase has been announced.
The private scholarship support comes as Manhattan Beach Unified School District receives less per-pupil state funding than the majority of California districts because of the state's funding formula, according to Manhattan Beach Education Foundation Executive Director Hilary Mahan in a Thursday, July 2 interview with MB Weekly.
"California consistently ranks near the bottom nationally in per-pupil funding, and Manhattan Beach Unified School District receives even less than the majority of California districts because of the state's funding formula," Mahan said. "That reality creates a significant gap between what public funding provides and what our community believes our students deserve."
The Rotary Club's new 2026-27 board includes President-elect Kelly Stroman, past President Cedric Tuck-Sherman, Club Service/COO Nancy Vrankovic, Treasurers Ted Iantuono and Mark Maruyama, and Secretary John Ranaudo, along with directors for community service, international outreach, vocational programs, and youth services.
Families interested in the club's scholarship programs can find more information at rotary5280.org.
