City Students Exemplify Rotary Ideal
 
The E. Frank S. Sanders Service Above Self award has been presented to students in each of the city’s four secondary schools by the Rotary Club of St. Thomas since 2002. The award honours the service ethic of the Club’s Charter President, Frank Sanders. The Club’s President, Trish Shouldice, took part in presenting awards today to four very deserving students, each introduced by a proud teacher. This student Service Above Self award takes as its model an award which Rotary International itself presents to a select group of Rotarians each year to honour their exemplary service.
 
At its first international conference in 1910, Rotary adopted the motto, “Service, Not Self,” which in 1950 became “Service Above Self.” Also in 1950, the Rotary Club of St. Thomas was chartered.
 
Frank Sanders was presented with Rotary International’s “Service Above Self” award at the Rotary District 6330 conference in Port Huron, Michigan on May 6, 1995. The St. Thomas Times-Journal noted that “the award is in recognition of Mr. Sanders’ distinguished service to others and for making service a way of life.” He was one of only 84 Rotarians within Rl’s membership of 1.2 million to receive the award that year.
 
Another local newspaper, Our Community Press, quoted RI President Bill Huntley’s tribute to Frank: “Thank you for living the ideals of Rotary.” From wherever those ideals may come, they are alive and well in these honoured students whose stories you may read in the pages that follow.
 
HAPPY FINS - Donations of $5 to The Rotary Foundation – Annual Programs Fund – credited to the donor in celebration something good in our lives. This practice was started in this club in 1985 to raise funds for polio eradication at the suggestion of Darwen Lowe, a member of the club.
 
Paul Blower (1) – For the four students honoured today.
Stew Shouldice (1) – It is good to see so many students here today – it makes him feel young.
Trish Shouldice (1) – Happy to have students and their teachers and parents here today.
Nancy Lovelock (2) – For these amazing students. She doesn’t know when they sleep.
Brenda Merrifield (2) – Happy that the Tour of Homes is over; happy to have her daughter and granddaughter at the Tour, though cat was star of the show.
Ron Somerville (2) – For the teachers and the students here today; for the awards chair.
 
Next week (November 29), is the Annual General Meeting of the Club Foundation, and December 6 is the annual Christmas party, held in the evening at the Wayside. More details to come. December 13 is a Club Assembly, followed by a Club Board meeting, while December 20 is the annual Christmas message, this year delivered by a representative of the Salvation Army.
 
Our guests, of course, were the students and their teachers and some of their parents…. Stew Shouldice was winner of the 50/50 draw.
 
Wednesday, November 29 – Club Foundation Annual General Meeting
At the Wayside, 12:15 p.m.
 
 
 

ASAA

Greeter

Fine Master

Wednesday, November 29

Ron Somerville

Bill Horn

Nancy Lovelock

Wednesday, December 6

Gerry Janssen

Stew Shouldice

Malcolm Rust

Wednesday, December 13

Stew Shouldice

Trudy Kanellis

Ron Somerville

Wednesday, December 20

Ron Somerville

Edie Delanghe

Suzanne Ferguson

 
Photos: Stew Shouldice

PEB
 
 
 
ARTHUR VOADEN SECONDARY SCHOOL
 
 

HOLIDAY BOGAERT
 
 

Introduced by Principal Mike Moore   
 
It is indeed a privilege to present Arthur Voaden Secondary School’s recipient for the Service Above Self Award, Holiday Bogaert. Holiday is a leader in our school and community and possesses the skills and qualities which make her an ideal candidate for the honour.

Holiday is a solid student both inside the classroom and in extracurricular activities. Her teachers know that she is an active part of all of her classes, consistently participating and modeling behaviour for her peers to emulate.

Outside of academics, she has served on our Students’ Council, overseeing and assisting with many projects to benefit students, including various dances and our annual “Viking Raid” among others. She has also been a part of the “Voaden Voice” program, a group that coordinates equity programming and seeks student input on various matters. Holiday is also a member of our school’s mentoring program called “Project: Tandem” which helps all new students transition to our high school, supporting them socially and academically.

Athletically, Holiday has played volleyball for our school team, and she’s also been an integral member of the cross country, soccer, and basketball teams as well as one of our cheerleaders. She has really been the heart and backbone of both extra-curricular activities and athletic teams during her tenure at AVSS, and she reliably meets and exceeds every expectation we have for her.

Philanthropically, Holiday has been a part of many campaigns at school and has also organized and run activities for a local shelter in the community. Also to be taken into consideration is the fact that she does all of this—excelling at academics, exemplary participation in community activities, school activities, and athletics—while holding down a part-time job in our community, yet another area of responsibility for this young leader.

Participation in these activities alone, however, is only one part of the reasons Holiday demonstrates the main tenets of “Service Above Self”. Holiday brings tremendous leadership to the activities she’s involved in. In addition to working her hardest to make herself better, she also assists other students in the activities she participates in. She does this with enthusiasm and a genuine desire to see her peers succeed. Our staff heavily relies on her ability and fervour.

She has an excitement and energy which are contagious, and she is easily the most recognizable student leader at our school. It doesn’t matter what grade a student is in—he or she is familiar with Holiday and is comfortable talking with her. Her friendliness and affability are two of her strongest qualities, and her leadership and example in this make Arthur Voaden Secondary School a great place to be.

It has been an absolute pleasure for me as an educator to get to know Holiday and see her thrive and do so well. We at Arthur Voaden think all of her accomplishments and qualities truly embody the concept of "Service Above Self", and, hence, why Holiday Bogaert is Arthur Voaden’s recipient of the Service Above Self Award.
 
 
 
CENTRAL ELGIN COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE
 
 

NICOLE AMODEO
 
 

Introduced by Teacher Sarah Osborne   
 
It's a pleasure to be back here, with the Rotary Club and other St. Thomas schools, in recognition of our outstanding youth. I would like to personally thank the Rotary Club for their ongoing commitment to the accomplished youth of St. Thomas.

When our staff was asked to select a recipient for the Service Above Self Award, it was really (as one might say) a no-brainer. In my career, I have met few students more involved in helping others than Nicole. She seems to have her hand in almost every pot related to making CECI a better, more dynamic, inclusive place. She is the first to volunteer at events, always trying her best to ensure the needs of the whole are being met.

This comes with its fair share of challenges; however, Nicole always moves forward through these tasks with grace and dignity. She is not afraid to do the hard work, spending many late nights at home making sure no detail is overlooked. This is one of the many attributes I admire in Nicole.

Let me tell you a few things Nicole has been involved with over her career at CECI: Students‟ Council, Wellness Council, Environment Club, Cross Country Team, Volleyball Team, Badminton Team, Track & Field Team, Announcement Crew and Yearbook Club. The list is exhausting. And to top it all off, she is currently the President of Central Elgin‟s Students‟ Council.
Within the local community, Nicole has been involved with the Leo Club and last year served as its president. While working with the Leo Club, Nicole administered a campaign called the “Dog Bowl” to raise funds for guide dog training. This was the third annual event and it raised over $10,000. Nicole‟s role in the event was essential to its success.

Nicole has lent a hand within the greater community as well. She has spent hundreds of hours volunteering at a theatre camp program in Ancaster during summer holidays.
Nicole has also been involved with projects outside of our borders. An example of this is a mission trip she went on with Yugo Ministries to Mexico. On this trip she was part of a group that built two homes for families in need of shelter.

By this point, you can probably tell that Nicole is often looking to do what is “right” in the world. Please allow me to share with you a recent interaction I had with her that demonstrates this point perfectly. About two weeks ago, I decided to ask students to bring in their previously used winter coats, mittens, hats, etc. so I could deliver them to the St. Thomas Talbot Teen Centre. A few days after I began this initiative, Nicole came to me asking how we could help out students right in our building that might be in the same situation. It was not that she didn‟t want to support the youth at the Talbot Teen Centre, she just wanted to make sure her Central Elgin family was being looked after. The part of this story that I feel demonstrates the true essence of Nicole‟s character is that she wanted to do this quietly, and without recognition.

Adults often consider this generation of students lacking in compassion for others, or being the „me‟ generation, but I am here today to tell you that there are students that do put others first, that there is compassion and empathy among our youth. Nicole and the other students in this room are living proof of that.

I have come to know Nicole very well over the four years she has been at CECI. She is one of the most honest, compassionate, thoughtful students you could ever be lucky enough to teach. There is not a doubt in my mind that Nicole will continue to put others before herself as she heads into the next chapter of her life.

Congratulations Nicole, I could not be more proud of you!
 
 
 
PARKSIDE COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE
 
 

JACK BUKICH
 
 

Introduced by Teacher Chris Palmer
 
Jack has been an integral part of the Parkside community for the last five years. His dedication, energy, and enthusiasm for Parkside athletics have been a great asset to the school, particularly when it comes to promoting the House of Blue.

Jack is an outstanding athlete, playing all three seasons, but in his grade 10 year was injured to the point of not being able to compete in high school athletics. However, while he was recovering, his dedication to his peers and the programs at the school carried on as he became an ambassador for Parkside spirit. He is an active member of the Blue Crew – a team of senior students dedicated to leading school cheers at games and pep rallies. He has also taken on lead organizational roles in school buy-ins and intramurals.

In the community, Jack is a child and youth staff worker with the YMCA where he runs a youth basketball program. He is also a camp counsellor during the summer months. He is highly involved with the Western Men‟s football team travelling with the team to most games to help as a video and technology assistant.

Staff and students appreciate his positive attitude and contagious enthusiasm. He is a great example of what it means to put service above self. Congratulations Jack!
 
 
 
ST. JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
 
 

KYLEIGH STUBBS
 
 

Introduced by Teacher Sandra Manfredi
 
I am so delighted to be given the opportunity to speak to you briefly about Kyleigh Stubbs. I have had the privilege of teaching Kyleigh and working with Kyleigh on volunteer initiatives throughout her four years at St. Joseph’s Catholic High School.

Kyleigh embodies Rotary International’s motto “Service Above Self”.

Without even realizing it, Kyleigh lives the four-way test of Rotary International.
 
  1. Is it the Truth?
    Kyleigh is a steady barometer of truth for her peers. She is the St. Joseph’s student reporter for the St. Thomas Times-Journal. She has published articles for our local paper. “St. Joe’s off to a Stellar Start” and “St. Joe’s celebrates academic and athletic achievements”, and today’s article which will be published in tomorrow’s paper, “Purple and Proud”, is a sampling you could check out on the Times-Journal online. Kyleigh’s academic standing ranks her at the top of her graduating class. Her work ethic and critical thinking skills always stand out. Her willingness to help others achieve success seems effortless.
  2. Is it Fair to all Concerned?
    Kyleigh participates in the Shamrock Shuffle, supporting Inn Out of the Cold and the Relay for Life. Kyleigh leads the social justice club at St. Joseph’s. Last year she began an initiative for graduating students to donate their gently used uniform pieces to the school. She was selected to attend QLEAD at Queen’s University two weeks ago, a business and leadership conference, along with 150 representatives from across Canada. She is currently organizing the Christmas Care Campaign for our high school.
  3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
    Kyleigh is humble and kind. She has participated and competed at provincial, national, and world levels of sport. She recently led the senior girls’ cross-country team to OFSAA provincial finals. This was Kyleigh’s fourth year representing our school at OFSAA cross-country, a first for our school by a cross-country athlete. This year, championships were held in Petawawa, in November, in the snow and freezing temperatures. Kyleigh trains 60 KM a week and competed in 6 KM meets once a week. I heard from coaches that at the end of the race this year her focus was on the relationships she has fostered with teammates and coaches, encouraging and supporting each other toward a common goal. Kyleigh nurtured those relationships as a team leader and I know she will treasure her friendships for a lifetime.
  4. Is it beneficial to all concerned?
    Kyleigh has participated in events supporting Violence Against Women Services Elgin County, such as Women’s Breakfast for everyone, The Butterfly Launch on Sept 30th in Pinafore Park and the Wrapped in Courage Campaign. Kyleigh is currently running the Wrapped in Courage Campaign to raise awareness for women and children experiencing violence in our community. Tomorrow, Kyleigh is attending the Wrapped in Courage Campaign at Queen’s Park with Liz Brown from VAWSEC. Kyleigh is a valued leader and she is truly a gift to her peers, her school, and her community.
Thank you, Rotary, for recognizing and celebrating the service of youth in our community. I am always so honoured to attend this luncheon.

Thank you to Kyleigh’s mom and dad, Kiersta and Mike, for accompanying us today in recognition of your daughter as she prepares for the next chapter of her journey: you should both be so proud.
Lastly, thank you to all the high school students for your service to our community. Congratulations to Holiday, Nicole, Jack and Kyleigh for earning the distinction of this most prestigious Rotary award.