Lions Honored Outstanding Newtown High School Students
Lions Honored Outstanding Newtown High School Students
The Newtown Lions Club recognized three Newtown High School students for their overall achievements and service to the community. Renee Rushefski and Quinlan Mitchell each received the William A. Honan Award for Achievement. This award is given a male and female junior on the recommendation of a school counselor or faculty member. It is named for Bill Honan, a founding member of Newtown Lions Club. Mr Honan has been an active member of the club for almost 60 years.
Jonathan Zigman was given the George Trull Leo of the Year award, an honor named for the first president of the Newtown Lions Club, who served in 1948.
Renee Rushefski has been an active member of the Future Business Leaders of America since her freshman year and is currently club secretary. She has also been active in the student government, peer leadership and the Guidance Honors Association. She has been inducted into the National Honors Association and received numerous academic and leadership awards.
According to school counselor Deidre Croce, Renee âis an amazing young lady who goes above and beyond in all of her endeavors.â Renee has a passion for culinary arts and hopes one day to open her own restaurant.
Quinlan Mitchell was a volunteer for the Bread and Roses program that provides Christmas presents to needy children and is a reading buddy at C.H. Booth Library. He is a member of the Ensign-Darling Vocal Fellowship group at Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts and was a member of the Connecticut All-State Choir for 2007.
He played the male lead in the NHS production of Hello, Dolly!, he is a member of the NHS Debate Team and took fifth place at the Yale Osterweiss Debate Tournament, and he is a member of the Guidance Honors Association.
Jonathan Zigman is a senior and has been a member of the Leo Club since his freshman year. He has helped the Lions with the annual Duck Race, and has placed and removed the luminaria at the Newtown Tree Lighting ceremony. He also participated in the Leoâs Daffodil Days fundraiser, Valentineâs Day Cookies For Teachers event, and a variety of other Leo activities.
He is a member of Future Business Leaders of America, the AFS Intercultural program, and National Honors Association. His athletic activities include badminton club, cross country, outdoor track, and senior league basketball.