Not too long ago, Ethan McGovern looked to map out his future.

He had just graduated Ripon Christian High, where he enjoyed playing football on a closed-knit team that produced the school’s first-ever Sac-Joaquin Section championship.

When members from his graduating Class of 2023 were busy making college plans, McGovern began leaning towards possibly becoming a firefighter.

“I was looking (at a career with) people that have the same mindset,” he said.

Helping him with those plans is the Ripon Rotary Club.

Each year, the local chapter of Rotary International provides Trade School Scholarships for those opting to go the vocational route – usually four scholarships altogether, with two going to recent Ripon High grads and the other two going to RC grads.

Ripon Rotary President John Mangelos noted that the funding for each of the $1,000 scholarships are made possible by the annual Chili Cook-Off in September and the Duck Racing events held in March.

McGovern, who was the guest speaker at the Wednesday luncheon meeting at Spring Creek Golf & Country Club, was the first of this year’s scholarship recipients. He’s scheduled to start classes at Modesto Junior College this week to possibly earn an Associate degree in Fire Science and / or enter into the Fire Academy Program.

That’s the fire academy his uncle, Greg Miller, attended years ago. He’s currently a firefighter in Fremont.

McGovern is thankful to his mother, Lori, who came upon the Rotary Trade School Scholarships.

“The money will come in handy – no loans – I won’t have to pay as much,” McGovern said. “I’m thankful for this opportunity.”

Frances Taylor, who is Ripon Rotary’s New Generation chairperson, indicated that three more recipients will receive their scholarships on Friday at the Bank of Stockton.