The Rotary Club of Westerville, which sponsors a Student of the Month program, recognized recipients at a luncheon at Villa Milano held on Thursday, January 15. January students are: Lauren Eberly, Westerville Central High School; Tristan Justice, Westerville North High School; Abu Daramy, Westerville South High School; and Myles McNeal, St. Francis DeSales High School.
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.
Lauren Eberly, a senior at Westerville Central, holds a 4.1 grade point average (GPA). Math and Contemporary World Issues are her favorite subjects of study. Eberly is active in the Spanish and Fashion Clubs at Central. She is also founder of Pawsitive Jars, and enjoys crafting with homeless children and tutoring at Fouse Elementary. She was named Student of the Month in 2012 and 2014; is a member of the National Honor Society; and earned Academic Excellence honors in grades 9-12. She plans to attend college and major in Elementary Education.
History and Government are favorite subjects of study for Tristan Justice, a 12th grade student at Westerville North, who has earned a 4.4 GPA. He is an active participant in numerous activities including Mock Trial, Empire Mock Trial (International), Youth in Government, In the Know, band, theatre, and the Columbus Youth Jazz Studio Ensemble. Justice was sophomore class secretary and junior class vice president. He also is the Founder and Chairman of Ohio Teenage Republicans, and serves as Chairman of the Westerville North Young Republicans. He has received many awards for academics and volunteering. Justice will attend American University in Washington, D.C., where he will pursue interdisciplinary studies as part of the CLEG Program (Communications, Law, Economics and Government).
Abu Daramy is a senior at Westerville South High School. He holds a 3.3 GPA and Math is his favorite subject. He plays football and is also a member of the Track and Field team. He is a Black History Month play participant and a Challenge Day leader. He also sells concessions at high school basketball games. Daramy was named Most Valuable Player and was a McDonald’s Student Athlete of the Week. He also earned the Cats with Class character award. He plans to pursue a degree in Sports Medicine.
Myles McNeal, a senior at St. Francis DeSales, has earned a 3.93 GPA. Calculus Based Physics and Calculus AB are what he likes to study. School activities include Model United Nations, Peer Ministry, Senior Service Team Business Club, Engineering Club, Student Ambassador, and the boys Varsity Basketball team. He enjoys cooking and has volunteered at the Miracle on Long Street, the Run the Race after school program, canned food drives, the Vineyard Food Pantry, and Meals on Wheels. McNeal has been on the honor roll for three straight years, and received the Chris Daniels Leadership Award and the Best Code award. He plans to major in Food Science.