The following is a release from the Rotary Club of Hisndale:

Five students who attend Hinsdale Central High School, Hinsdale Middle School and Clarendon Hills Middle School received the Rotary Club of Hinsdale’s Youth Merit Award Friday, Feb. 1. This award recognizes extraordinary high school and middle school students for services to their community and classmates, leadership qualities and academic achievements.

The Rotary Club of Hinsdale honors students from area public and private schools at award ceremonies several times each school year. Rotarian Cheri Vana, Vice-President at RBS Citizens, N.A. in Hinsdale, coordinates the program. Staff members at Hinsdale Central High School, Hinsdale Middle School, Clarendon Hills Middle School, Hinsdale Adventist Academy, St. Isaac Jogues and Notre Dame School nominate students.

The award winners attend a Rotary meeting, address the club members about their activities and interests, and receive a certificate to commemorate the occasion. The honorees attend with their parents and invite an individual they consider their influential teacher. This month’s teachers were Mrs. Cheryl Esparza, Mrs. Jennifer McCredy, Mrs. Theresa Wilkie and Mr. Andrew Dzija.  

The following students earned the award:

• Tanner Patrick Makris, senior, Hinsdale Central High School, Hinsdale resident
• Tommy Lyne, Grade 8, Hinsdale Middle School, Hinsdale resident
• Alison Albelda, Grade 8, Hinsdale Middle School, Hinsdale resident
• Gianni Frasca, Grade 8, Clarendon Hills Middle School, Clarendon Hills resident
• Sophie Palo, Grade 8, Clarendon Hills Middle School, Clarendon Hills resident

“For more than two decades the Rotary Club of Hinsdale has presented its Youth Merit Awards. These awards identify and honor middle and high school students who set the example for their contemporaries in academics, athletics, the arts and community service,” President Rich Barton said. “We are pleased to announce that not only will we the continue honoring these special students, but that Hinsdale Bank and Trust has joined us as the community sponsor of this program. Both Rotary members and the bank staff are continually impressed and amazed with the achievements of these young members of our community.”

The Rotary Club of Hinsdale meets weekly at 12:15 p.m. at The Community House in Hinsdale. The club, founded in 1959, consists of men and women of diverse backgrounds whose personal commitment to service ranges from support of local youth programs to assistance for the poor and sick across the globe. For more information, visit www.hinsdalerotary.org.