Two students who attend Hinsdale Middle School received the Rotary Club of Hinsdale’s Youth Merit Award Friday, May 25, 2012. This award recognizes high school and middle school students for scholarship, leadership and service.

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 of Commercial Real Estate with RBS Citizens Bank in Hinsdale, coordinates the program. Staff members at Hinsdale Central High School, Hinsdale Middle School, Clarendon Hills Middle School, Hinsdale Adventist Academy and St. Isaac Jogues 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. Middle school students attend with their parents and invite an individual they consider their influential teacher. This month’s teacher guests were: Kelly Pelak-Ditmars and Theresa Wilkie.

The May 25 program was the eighth and final Youth Merit Award presentation of the 2011-12 school year. The following students earned the award:

• Dana Ahdab, grade 8, Hinsdale Middle School, Burr Ridge resident
• Maura Mullen, grade 8, Hinsdale Middle School, Burr Ridge resident

“Rotary Club of Hinsdale has presented its Youth Merit Awards for more than 20 years. The awards identify and honor students who set the example for their contemporaries in academics, athletics, the arts and community service,” said President James Slesser. “We are pleased that Hinsdale Bank and Trust is 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. The club, founded in 1959, consists of men and women of diverse backgrounds whose commitment to service ranges from support of local youth programs to assistance for the poor and sick across the globe. Their major fundraiser is the Rotary Run Charity Classic, slated for Sunday, October 14, 2012. For more information, visit www.hinsdalerotary.org.