The Woodridge Rotary Club has selected Ritika Dhawan and Alexa Nakutis as winners of its 2012 “Service Above Self” college scholarship awards. These annual scholarships provide financial support to Woodridge students who have made exceptional service contributions to their community.

Dhawan was honored for her leadership role in the Rotary Interact Club at Lemont High School. Interact is Rotary International’s service club for young people ages 12 through 18. Dhawan participated in the Interact Club’s service projects which included working at the Ronald McDonald House and at the Hope and Friendship Ministries, conducting food drives, providing baby blankets for underprivileged children and visiting various senior homes.

In addition to her Interact activities, Dhawan volunteered in the orthopedic surgery unit and outpatient laboratory at Good Samaritan Hospital and served as a literacy, mathematics and science tutor.

Nakutis was recognized for her volunteer work with the Woodridge Special Events Committee. She has been part of this Committee since the age of six and she began to accompanied her mother to volunteer activities. She has continued to work with Special Events ever since. Her work with the Committee includes helping with the Woodridge Jubilee, Fourth of July Picnic, and Santa Comes to Woodridge annual events. Nakutis also donated 70 hours to Edward Hospital where she worked in the surgery waiting room.

Dhawan and Nakutis will be honored at the Woodridge Rotary Club’s year-end dinner on June 26. Each winner will receive a $2,000 scholarship to the school of their choice.