Five Students Earn Hinsdale Rotary's Youth Merit Award

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

Five students who attend , , and  will receive the Rotary Club of Hinsdale’s Youth Merit Award Friday, Oct. 7. 

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 in Hinsdale, coordinates the program. Staff members at Hinsdale Central High School, Hinsdale Middle School, Clarendon Hills Middle School, and  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 influential teacher. This month’s invited teachers were: Meghan Carey, Deborah Cornacchia, Jennifer McCredy and Danielle Scacco. 

Friday's program is the first Youth Merit Award presentation of the 2011-12 school year. The following students earned the award:

• Robert Buddig, senior, Hinsdale Central High School, Hinsdale resident. 
• Samantha Camden, Grade 8, Clarendon Hills Middle School, Hinsdale resident.
• Clare Caruso, Grade 8, Hinsdale Middle School, Hinsdale resident.
• Jacob “Jake” Heiser, Grade 8, Clarendon Hills Middle School, Hinsdale resident.
• Matthew Medick, Grade 8, Hinsdale Middle School, Hinsdale resident.

“For more than two decades the Rotary Club of Hinsdale has presented its Youth Merit Awards. These Awards are to identify and honor middle and high school students who set the example for their contemporaries in the academics, athletics, the arts and community service,” said President James Slesser. “We are pleased to announce that not only will we the continue honoring these special students, but that 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 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.