The Rotary Club of Westerville recognized its February 2023 Students of the Month during a Feb. 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.
February 2023 Honoree Profiles
Westerville Central: Aashvi Soni’s favorite subjects are history and business law. The sophomore is a member of Hope Squad, Student Council and Mock Trial. She launched the school’s Asian Student Union and participates in Global Scholars and Central Hawkathon. She volunteers at the Ohio History Connection and serves as a digital volunteer for the Library of Congress. She dances and has competed in the Blue Ocean Competition. She placed second in the TechCorps Hackathon. She plans to attend Ohio State University with a major in business marketing and a minor in pre-law and hopes to attend law school. “I would just like to thank the Rotary Club for this amazing honor and the staff members who recommended me.”
Westerville North: Tahira Johnson’s favorite subjects are math, science and chemistry. The senior is part of the following clubs and organizations: Black Student Union, Black History Month Production, Warrior Athlete Leadership Team, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Warrior Way Mentoring, Big Warrior Little Warrior, National Honor Society, Interact Club, Assistant Principal's Advisory Committee, Equity Committee, Student Council/Class Officer, Warrior Way Leadership Team. She participates in sideline football and basketball cheer, competition cheer and track and field. She helped organize a peaceful walk-out protesting police brutality. She works part-time at Panda Express and is involved in the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. Rhoer Club Affiliate. Among her awards and recognitions: Academic Letter, 4-sport Varsity letter, Superior Academic Achievement, College Board AP Scholar Award, PSAT All-star, College Board National African American Recognition Program, National Heisman High School Scholarship School winner, HOBY nominee/alumni member, Chamber of Commerce Leadership Westerville nominated alumni. She is interested in attending North Carolina A&T State University, Florida A&M University, Howard University, Hampton University, Brown University, Stanford University, The Ohio State University, University of Cincinnati, University of Dayton, Ohio University, Florida State University, Prairie View A&M University or Butler University to study chemical engineering. “I am extremely honored and grateful for this award. I don't even know how I got nominated, but whoever is behind this has my utmost gratitude.”
Westerville South: Laney Walden’s favorite subjects are American Sign Language and photography. The senior is a member of Hope Squad and Troupe 513. She serves as president of National Honors Society and vice president of the Troupe Board. She acts, directs and serves as a crew member on WSHS theatre productions. She owns her own photography business, Emma-Rose Photography and volunteers at Alicia’s Closet, a foster care support organization. She has been on the school’s honor roll for three consecutive years and has received the Cats with Class award. She plans to attend the University of Cincinnati to study media production.
St. Francis DeSales: Margot Nalli’s favorite subjects are English and psychology. The senior is a Student Council representative and serves as class vice president, head coordinator of the blood drive and a Core student ambassador. She tutors and mentors students at St Matthias Elementary and is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, the Evangelization Team and a Kairos Retreat leader. She is involved in the following clubs: Run the Race, Mind over Matter, Spanish, Yoga and Stallions for Social Justice. She volunteers in her community, plays piano and is part of the Church of the Resurrection student leadership team. She is interested in attending Loyola University Chicago or Xavier University with plans to study English and secondary education.