Newtown Rotary Honors October Students Of The Month

Newtown Rotary recently honored six students for both their academic ability and personal character by naming them October Students of the Month. The students were recognized for their achievements during a recent Rotary meeting.

Teachers have described Tara Rotas, a fifth grader at Reed Intermediate School, as a very caring young person who always tries to make others feel good.

The well-mannered young woman was recently accepted into the People to People Student Ambassador Program. Her five-week outdoor educational program will be based in Sydney, Australia. Tara will learn about native wildlife and visit historic buildings, cities, and sites.

Connor Pineau, a sixth grader at Reed Intermediate School, loves school, riding his bicycle, and playing baseball with his friends. He describes his family as loving, caring people — attributes many friends and teachers believe he, too, embodies.

The aspiring young chef is a dedicated community volunteer. Recently, Connor planted flowers and assisted in other landscaping tasks on behalf of St Rose of Lima Church. He also participated in a drive to help the poor by selling popcorn at Dunkin’ Donuts and accepting donations; he made a total of $278. He also was involved in collecting and delivering canned goods on behalf of his boy-scout troop.

Teachers have described Connor as a respectful and cooperative student who is an excellent role model for his peers.

Newtown Middle School seventh grader Jennifer Callery is an honor roll student and member of the Rotary-sponsored Interact Club, a community service group.

Jennifer plays viola in the school orchestra, an instrument she has played since the fourth grade. She will also be joining her peers in her French language arts class to a trip to Montreal, Canada, next spring.

Outside of school, Jennifer has many hobbies and interests, including crafts making, ice-skating and rollerblading. She is involved in the Newtown Park and Recreation Department’s girls’ softball program; her father coaches her team. She also serves as a religious education aid for St Rose of Lima Church.

Teachers have described Jennifer as “her own unique person, internally motivated by her own high set of standards.”

While she excels academically in all subjects areas, her teachers noted that her most impressive attribute was her kind character.

Teachers have described Newtown Middle School eighth grader Allyson Makuch as a “confident learner” and “diligent worker,” committing herself fully to every endeavor she pursues.

The honor roll student is also described as a school leader; she is involved in student council, chorus, art enrichment, and the yearbook. In addition, both her written pieces and artwork have been featured in the school’s award-winning literary magazine.

As a girl scout, Allison was among volunteers who served coffee off Exit 10 during this past September’s Labor Day weekend.

She will also represent Newtown Middle School as a People to People Student Ambassador next spring in Washington, D.C.

St Rose Parochial School eighth grader Michael Giglio is an active Boy Scout and alter server. He has played soccer, a sport he loves, for the past eight years. As a boy scout, Michael has assisted in Eagle Projects, which are community service ventures completed by high-school-aged Eagle Scouts.

Teachers have described Michael as very focused and enthusiastic, and a “true joy to have in class.”

Teacher Jill Gonski said she was excited to have nominated Ashley Shriver, a senior at Newtown High School, as an October Student of the Month.

Ms Gonski said that although Ashley has only been attending the school for a year, she has already made quite an impression on all her teachers. Ashley, they have said, clearly demonstrates her love for school and dedication to personal growth on a daily basis.

In addition to her core academics, Ashley works for the Back Door Café and serves as a student supervisor at Nutmeg Cleaners. She is also a member of the school’s special Child Development program, as well as a member of the school choir. She is also involved in various student organizations, including the Best Buddies Club.

Ms Gonski said teachers were impressed by how quickly Ashley acclimated to Newtown High School, taking full advantage of the opportunities offered to her both at school and in the Newtown community.