The Rotary Club of Westerville recognized its December 2021 Students of the Month during a Dec. 2 meeting. Throughout the school year, from October through May, the Club honors four students from local high schools each month. Working with the school principals and counselors, one student each month is chosen from Westerville Central, Westerville North, Westerville South and St. Francis DeSales high schools. The students, their parents, and the school administrators are introduced and honored at a Rotary Club luncheon each month.
December 2021 Honoree Profiles
Westerville Central: Bella Troutman’s favorite subjects are journalism and AP Literature and Composition. The senior is assistant editor-in-chief of Westerville Central’s newspaper, a senior class officer as serves as the co-coordinator of the National Honor Society Blood Drive. She participates in the Global Scholars Diploma program and volunteers for the Westerville Community United Church of Christ organization. She competes for the school’s tennis and track and field teams. Among her awards and recognitions: Academic varsity letter, tennis varsity letter and brand representative of the month for Abercrombie & Fitch. She is interested in attending Ohio University, Miami University or Kent State University to study fashion merchandising or business and hospitality for event coordination.
Westerville North: Maya Chaffin’s favorite subjects are African-American history and African-American Literature. The senior is part of WNHS’ Black History Month club, Black Student Union, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Younglife, Warrior Mentoring, Superintendent’s Advisory Council, Hope Squad, National Honor Society and cheer squad. Among the awards and recognitions she has received: 2020 screenwriting competition winner, 2021 UCA All-American cheerleader, OCC Scholar Athlete, Superior Academic Performance, AllN Award. She is interested in attending Howard University, Cleveland State University, University of Michigan, Indiana University, DePaul University to study film and media studies.
Westerville South: Xiaowen Li’s favorite subjects are chemistry, Spanish and art. The senior is a Class of 2022 officer and holds leadership positions on Student Council, Key Club and National Honors Society. She is a member of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council and participates in the Global Scholars Diploma program. She is also a part of the cross country and track and field teams. Among the awards and achievements she’s received: Scholar Athlete, Academic Varsity Letter, Cross Country Senior Coaches’ Award, Cross Country OCC Scholar Athlete Award, Departmental Excellence awards in Math, Language Arts and World Languages. She plans to attend the University of Pennsylvania to study business economics and public policy. “I want to thank the Rotary Club for hosting this wonderful event to honor the services of us students and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to be here today.”
St. Francis DeSales: Natalie Schwartz’s favorite subjects are history and anatomy. The senior is a member of National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society as well as the school’s business club, mental health club, St. Vincent DePaul, Autism Awareness Club. She is a member of the varsity cheer squad, helped collect dance shoes for the Run the Race Club and is currently working on launching a fashion club at the school. She is interested in attending Clemson University, University of Alabama, University of Kentucky and Miami University to study journalism on a pre-law track.