| 2/23/2010 11:12:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | Rotarians honor top 20 frosh
By Christine Spangler
Managing editor
The academically top 20 members of Fort Atkinson High School's Class of 2013 were recognized on Monday.
The Fort Atkinson Rotary Club held its annual Top 20 Freshmen luncheon for students and their parents at Jansen's Banquet Hall.
Recognized were: Eric Bender, Megan Eaton, Naomi Engelke, Alex Harker, Elizabeth Hart, Kaitlyn Hollman, Lee Hollman, Torri Jordan, Avery Kan, John Keogh, Abigail Knutson, Josie Lange, Katie McCarthy, Kelsey Miles, Hannah Mueller, Jazmen Taylor, Megan Tesch, Carly Wallace, Zachary Waugh and John Westby.
Fort Atkinson High School principal Jeff Zaspel told those gathered that the Rotarians have been saluting the ninth-grade scholars for more than a quarter-century.
"This proud community tradition began 26 years ago by the Fort Atkinson Rotary Club when they hosted the first recognition program in 1984," Dr. Zaspel said. "For the past 26 years, the Rotarians have continued to find it fitting to recognize and honor the hard work and accomplishments of the young people of our community. Rotarians understand the promise that education holds for all of us and that is why they have invested their time and commitment to youth and education."
Zaspel said he is proud to be principal for such an accomplished group of young people, but he also is proud to be a member of Rotary.
"I know firsthand that my fellow Rotarians are dedicated to the community and its youth," he said, explaining that Rotary International is the world's first service club organization and its 1.2 million-plus members volunteer their time and talent to further the Rotary motto, "Service Above Self."
"The local Rotary Club is made up of approximately 60 business and community leaders who dedicate their efforts toward community improvement and supporting humanitarian efforts worldwide," Zaspel said, noting that the club's support for youth is evidence in the variety of programs it offers:
• Academic letter recognition.
Rotary awards an academic letters annually to high school students who demonstrate academic excellence.
• Top 20 Seniors/Rotary Students of Month.
Each year, seniors are recognized and invited to be part of weekly Rotary meetings. A banquet is held in their honor each May.
• Rotary exchange programs.
"Our local Rotary Club hosts an exchange student annually," Zaspel said. "The club also supports international outbound exchanges when Fort Atkinson sends a student to another country."
• Rotary's Sportsmanship Award.
This recognizes student athletes who exemplify good character and sportsmanship.
• Rotary Educator of the Month.
A teacher from each of Fort Atkinson's public and parochial schools is recognized for their commitment and dedication to students.
"This afternoon, the Rotary Club of Fort Atkinson finds it most fitting to congratulate you on the very successful start you've had during the first semester of your high school experience," Zaspel told the honored freshmen. "More importantly, this award comes to you with a sense of hope and an expectation that you will fully utilize your gifts and talents to make our world a better place.
"I think you would agree with me that it won't be a gradepoint or ranking among your class that takes you down a successful path," the principal continued. "True success is better measured by the manner in which you capitalize on your talents and abilities ... and by the concern and care you extend to others."
Zaspel said that in the past 26 years, Rotarians have sent its message of "Service Above Self" to 520-plus Fort Atkinson High School freshmen.
"Perhaps you know some of them or of the good things they are doing with their lives," said Zaspel. "Some have flourishing careers and make a significant difference in the lives of others as doctors, lawyers, engineers, journalists, chemists, teachers ... of course, the list could go on and on. Some of those same former Top 20 freshmen have and continue to serve in a role of stewardship that extends beyond simply making a good life for themselves. Some are volunteers or choose to serve on committees while others take on leadership roles and some of them are quick to lend a hand whenever it is needed. Like those students, you too have the grand ability to learn and use your abilities to influence others."
Today, Zaspel said, the Rotarians join him in encouraging the students to adopt the idea of "Service Beyond Self."
"The award we extend today is certainly full of praise for your hard efforts thus far," he said. "As you accept this award, we hope you will also accept the challenge living your life upon the Rotarian ideal of 'Service Above Self.'"
Zaspel also extended his gratitude to the parents and families of the feted students.
"We know fully that a great deal of time, effort, and sacrifice is extended by each of our students' families," he said. "I think most fitting is that we, the Rotarians and students, congratulate the families of our Top 20 Freshmen."
Associate principal Brent Torrenga introduced the honored students.
"These freshmen were selected based upon their first semester gradepoint average and represent their class of 235 students," he explained." In this group, 10 of the students have earned a perfect 4.0 gradepoint for the first semester of their high school program. Furthermore, the range of gradepoints among this group is very short, from 3.8586 to 4.0. Our hope is that all students here today will join us again to be celebrated as Rotary Senior Scholars in May of 2013."
Students were presented the award by Rotary President Roy Budlong, School District of Fort Atkinson Superintendent James Fitzpatrick and Zaspel. They included:
Eric Bender
Eric, the son of Mike and Donna Bender, has participated in basketball and soccer with plans of track in the spring. Next year, Eric anticipates being in cross-country and Jazz Band.
His interests are sports, music, boating and snowboarding. Eric, who participated in a youth mission trip to Tennessee, has as his future goal to become a doctor or engineer.
Megan Eaton
Megan is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Art League, International Club and French Club. The daughter of David and Carolyn Eaton, she is interested in art, programming, music, video games, foreign languages and school.
Megan will be touring Paris and Italy in March of 2011. She plans on attending college for four or more years, and then pursue a job in architecture or interior design.
Naomi Engelke
Naomi is the daughter of Rachel Nelson-Engelke and Mark Engelke. She participates in Girl Scouts and Youth Group, and her interests include art, crime, science and social studies.
Her future plans are to seek a career in the criminal science or history field.
Alex Harker
Alex is on the football and basketball teams and enjoys sports and music.
The son of Ray and Kerry Harker, he plans on attending a four-year college and to pursue a career in the medical field.
Elizabeth Hart
Elizabeth, daughter of Kevin and Mary Hart, is involved in the Marching and Concert bands, forensics and International Club. Her interests are reading, babysitting and softball.
Elizabeth's future plan is to attend a four-year college.
Kaitlyn Hollman
Kaitlyn is part of the swim, basketball and softball Teams. A member of Brothers and Sisters in Christ (BASIC) and Girl Scouts, she is the daughter of Mike and Kim Hollman. Sports are her main interest. Kaitlyn's goal is to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison to acquire a degree in physical therapy and athletic training.
Lee Hollman
Lee is the son of Mike and Kim Hollman. He is on the volleyball and swim teams and is involved in Fort TV, BASIC and the Signal/Tchogeerah student newspaper and yearbook. His interests include videogames, computers, poetry and music.
Lee's future plans are to study abroad, see the world, attend an out-of-state college, write a book, help others, love life and die happy.
Torri Jordan
Torri is involved in soccer, club soccer, French Club, International Club, FBLA, the Bethany Lutheran Youth Group, and Junior Friends of the Library. Her interests include soccer, science, reading, dirt-track racing and writing poetry.
Torri, the daughter of Kelly and Tracy Jordan, plans to study biological science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison following high school.
Avery Kan
Avery is the son of Raymond and Linda Kan. He participates on the high school swim and soccer teams, Fort Atkinson Swim Team (FAST), FAYSA and Skills USA and is a soccer official. His interests are aircraft design and engineering.
Avery's future plans are to attend a four-year college of higher education and obtain an aviation license.
Jeff Keogh
Jeff is involved in cross-country and track and is on the swim team. The son of Fred and Vicki Keogh, he is interested in swimming, camping, running and mountain biking.
Jeff's goal is to attend college with a possible direction in the field of chemistry.
Abigail Knutson
Abigail is the daughter of David and Jamie Knutson. At school, she is involved in Art League, F-Club and golf, is the manager of the boys' basketball team and possibly will be a track manager in spring. Abigail's interests are environmental studies, "going green," her family, religion, golf and babysitting.
Her plans are to attend a four-plus-year college and then move on to a seminary school. She hopes to be welcomed into the pulpit, with her family there for support through the challenge.
Josie Lange
Josie is active in soccer, FBLA and French Club, and is a soccer referee. The daughter of Dennis and Elizabeth Lange, she is interested in history, soccer, baking, gardening and art.
Josie's goals are to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison to obtain her degree as a dermatologist and possibly enlist in the Air Force.
Katie McCarthy
Katie is the daughter of Tom and Sheryl McCarthy. She is on the tennis team and in orchestra and Chamber Ensemble. She was in the high school musical production, "Music Man," and is involved in her church youth group and youth band. She enjoys art, hiking, camping and tennis.
Her goal for the future is to become an ultrasound technician.
Kelsey Miles
Kelsey is the daughter of Jen Miles. Her interests focus on sports, as she is involved in cross-country, basketball, track and softball.
Kelsey's plan for the future is to go to medical school to become a doctor.
Hannah Mueller
Hannah is the daughter of Gretchen Varsik-Mueller and Gregory Mueller. Her interests include animals, music and dramatic literature.
Hannah's current goal is to do well all through high school; her future goal is to become a veterinary technician.
Jazmen Taylor
Jazmen participates in the colorguard and art. The daughter of Mark and Marguerite Kuhnke, she is interested in reading, poetry, writing and art.
She plans on attending the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and becoming an animeist, which she would be making Japanese art and manga of her own.
Megan Tesch
Megan, the daughter of Michael and Mary Tesch, is involved in track and youth group. Her interests are horseback riding, reading and sports.
Megan's goal is to attend a four-year college.
Carly Wallace
Carly is the daughter of Mike and Kristen Wallace. She participates in cross-country, basketball, show choir, track, swimming, Student Senate and Girl Scouts, where she received her silver award and is working toward her gold award. Her interests are academics and sports.
Carly's future plans are to attend college with the possibility of going into the science or healthcare field. However, at this point, she still is going to explore career options.
Zachary Waugh
Zach participates in track, marching band and German. The son of Michael and Sandra Waugh, he is interested in music.
He has future plans of traveling and entering a career in engineering.
John Westby
John is the son of Chick and Kim Westby. He is involved in cross-country, swimming, band, Jazz Band, F-Club, Boy Scouts and church activities. His interests include mountain biking, running, triathlons, reading and camping.
John's goals are to become an Eagle Scout and attend a four-year college.
"Our community is indeed fortunate, as are these students and other students who benefit from the support of our local Rotarians." Zaspel said in closing, thanking the Rotarians for its support of education.
"Students, congratulations once again," he added. "I hope you will accept the challenge offered by the Rotarians and follow the motto: 'Service Above Self!'"
|
|
|
|
 |
|
