The Rotary Club of Westerville, which sponsors a Student of the Month program, recognized recipients at a luncheon at Villa Milano held on Thursday, February 6. February students are: James Colley, Westerville North High School; Gianni Cheverez, Westerville South High School; and Erin Kiusti, St. Francis DeSales.
The purpose of the program is twofold: to recognize outstanding students who have distinguished themselves by serving their school and to expose them to the Rotary Club and its ideal of “Service Above Self.” Students selected join Rotarians for lunch every week for a month, and have the opportunity to interact with members.
James Colley, a senior at Westerville North, enjoys studying Psychology, Sociology, Math and History. He participates in Ski Club, lettered in track and field (shot put and discus), and is active in Warrior Way leadership events. He also serves as a camp counselor for the YMCA and Sky Hawk organizations. In addition, he volunteered many hours to help open a recreation center for underprivileged teens. Colley has won Math awards and Perfect Attendance awards. He also coached a winning basketball team. He plans to study Education and Communications at Bowling Green State University.
History and Math are the favorite subjects of Gianni Cheverez, a 12th grade pupil at Westerville South. He is a member of the Air Force Junior ROTC and has participated in blood drives, helped homeless veterans, and performed color guard duties. Cheverez earned first place in a Field Training Exercise with Team Delta-Two-Alpha, as part of his involvement with the Air Force Junior Reserves Officer Training Corps. He also received a Certificate of Achievement from Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. In addition, Cheverez learned to speak Spanish in order to help care for his grandmother, who was diagnosed with and eventually succumbed to Lou Gehrig’s disease. He hopes to pursue a career in electronics technology.
Erin Kiusti, a senior at DeSales, holds a 4.0 grade point average. Calculus and Biology are her favorite subjects of study. She is an officer in the National Honor Society and the Math Club, and she also plays soccer, runs track and is a member of the Student Council. She participated in Run the Race and works as an altar server at St. Paul Church. Kiusti plans to study Nursing at The Ohio State University.