Joshua Berletich

January 8, 2008

Joshua Berletich is on the way to a career of health-care services, enabled in part by a scholarship from Putnam Rotary.

Members of the Putnam club today heard a report from the college freshman whom they recognized with the assistance award last July.

Joshua's higher education began at Wheeling Jesuit. "I was surprised," he told the group, "at the perceptions among fellow students of [southern West Virginia]."

He was quick to correct any negative ideas, he said.

He is presently enrolled in Marshall University because of the experiences available through Cabell-Huntington and St. Mary's hospitals.

How could Putnam schools better prepare young people for college?

Joshua says he is encouraging his high friends to get more involved with their teachers and to become more active in the life of their school.

The foundation is there, but young people and their families need to take advantage of it.

Joshua is the first recipient of a new scholarship program through Putnam Rotary. Recipients must demonstrate circumstances of special need, and attend a college or university in West Virginia.

Rotary scholars must report on their academic progress at least twice each year, and the financial support may be extended beyond the original award.