WILSONVILLE, OREGON, June 24, 2014 — The Rotary Club of Wilsonville has completed the first full year of its newly created Rotary Students of the Month program. During the 2013–14 school year, the club recognized 18 students — two per month — from the two local high schools (Wilsonville High School, and Arts & Technology High School).
The honored students were invited to attend a Rotary Club of Wilsonville meeting along with their parents. The students gave a short presentation on what they were doing in school. Each student received a special certificate and a small gift from the club.
The program was initially the brainchild of Wilsonville Rotarian John Wysock, who served as club president in 2010 and passed away in November of that year. Rotarian John Holley, the outgoing club president, then moved the idea forward to adoption. “Our club believes in the value of young people,” he said. “We wanted to encourage and recognize those who are dedicated to learning.”
Wilsonville Rotarian Bob Harland coordinated the program as the club’s Director of Administration. “Our club members were delighted to meet these outstanding students, and it was a privilege to be able to recognize their growth and success,” he said. “We believe they will become fine community members, and perhaps even future Rotarians.”
The selected students, month by month, were as follows:
- September — Emma Steffen and Sam Laurin, WHS
- October — Kierra Rowan and John Hodson, WHS
- November — Abby Generazzo and Tiffany Popelka, ATHS
- January — Christy Halverson and Jourdan Posey, WHS
- February — Joevanny Garcia and Leo Alvarez, WHS
- March — Logan Carter and Esthela Rodriguez, WHS
- April — Kaita Pounds and Husam Zaidan, WHS
- May — Daisy Maldonado and Yoselin Gutierrez, WHS
- June — Vanessa Mwangi and Austin Warren-Bates, ATHS
The program is just one of Wilsonville Rotary’s many service projects that support local schools and young people. The club’s foundation awards three college scholarships every June, and the club regularly holds its signature Omelet and Pancake Breakfasts to raise funds for the primary and middle schools. The club’s chess program teaches students self-discipline and thinking skills, and has been shown to increase academic achievement. The club also supports young people with its Through A Child’s Eyes program in partnership with the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, in order to rebuild families and help break the intergenerational cycle of crime.
The students of the month program will resume in the fall when the next school year begins.
About the Rotary Club of Wilsonville
The Rotary Club of Wilsonville was founded in 1975 and has 40 members. It is part of Rotary International, the largest volunteer-based service organization in the world. Wilsonville Rotary’s projects include Through A Child’s Eyes, the annual Heart of Gold Celebration, the yearly Wilsonville Rotary Summer Concerts, and the signature Wilsonville Rotary Omelet Breakfasts to raise money for local schools and feed local volunteers. The club also leads and supports different international service projects every year. The club meets every Thursday at noon at Al Kader Shrine Center in Wilsonville, and visitors are welcome. For more information, log on to www.wilsonvillerotary.com, or email info@wilsonvillerotary.com.
About Rotary
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work impacts lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit www.Rotary.org.