
The James Schmitz Service Above Self Award
Named in honor of our 1977 Club President, James "Jim" Schmitz, this award recognizes students who live out the Rotary motto: Service Above Self. While academic success is important, this scholarship specifically seeks out students who look beyond themselves to improve the lives of others. Whether through extensive volunteering, leading community initiatives, or quiet acts of kindness that ripple outward, recipients of the James Schmitz award have demonstrated a commitment to making their community a better place before they have even left high school.
The Lyle Neeb Perseverance Award
This award is not your typical scholarship. Named in honor of Rotarian, past president (1984), and former OHS faculty member Lyle Neeb, this award shines a light on the "quiet heroes" of our schools. The Lyle Neeb Perseverance Award was created to support students who have triumphed over significant personal challenges—be it family hardship, health issues, or other obstacles—to complete their education. It honors the student who faced unthinkable adversity but still showed up, worked hard, and found a path forward. We believe that the resilience required to overcome such hurdles is a predictor of future success, and we are proud to help these students take their next steps.

Oconomowoc Rotary's Signature Project: The Roosevelt Park Splash Pad

