Maya Lawrence feels that a bright smile can change someone’s day.

The Mercer Island High School (MIHS) senior has plenty of those cheery offerings to go around as she traverses her path each day at school.

With her robust and impactful school and community involvement — including girls lacrosse and soccer, cheer and Sparkle Cheer, Best Buddies Club and more — Lawrence has made a difference in others’ lives and the Mercer Island Rotary Club Foundation took notice of that when it came scholarship time.

“We choose one student each year where the scholarship can make a difference for them and they have academic excellence and they demonstrate one of our core values, which is ‘service above self,’” said chair of the scholarship committee Wally Boos.

Lawrence, who will be attending the University of Colorado Boulder in the fall, received the foundation’s $10,000 scholarship at Rotary’s May 21 meeting at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center.

The future business major is honored and grateful to receive the scholarship and noted about her drive to become involved in service organizations: “I really just try to touch other people and help other people in their lives. Just trying to make everyone happy and feel included in the school.”

It’s been impactful for Lawrence to mentor special needs students in Sparkle Cheer, she said while referring to what she penned in her essay during the scholarship-application process. She also discussed her uplifting Sparkle experience during her interview with the selection committee.

Mercer Island School District Superintendent Dr. Fred Rundle said at the meeting that Lawrence’s counselor described the senior as being compassionate, well-rounded, genuine and motivated. Along with spending time with the Best Buddies Club (where she is paired with special needs students), she is involved with Women in Business and the National Honors Society, volunteers at the Mary’s Place family homeless shelter and more.

“We talk about the whole child and we talk about that well-rounded piece, and Maya you’ve accomplished that and more in your four years in high school and we are in great hands with people like you leading the way,” Rundle said.

Lawrence, whose parents Brett and Leslie attended the meeting, delved into her high school lacrosse career that wrapped up with a thrilling 3A state championship.

“The program has been very fun. I felt very supported. We’re a very close group of girls,” she said.

Regarding her life philosophy, Lawrence noted: “Everything happens for a reason. When things go wrong, there is a reason for that and I’ve seen that a lot in my life, too.”

With a smile, Lawrence said that she aims to turn those moments into a positive situation.

Mercer Island School District Superintendent Dr. Fred Rundle discusses Maya Lawrence’s robust and impactful school and community involvement, including girls lacrosse and soccer, cheer and Sparkle Cheer, Best Buddies Club and more. Andy Nystrom/ staff photo