Newtown Rotary Club Student Awards For May

Newtown Rotary honors the outstanding students of our local schools who were nominated by their teachers based on their dedication to their academic achievements, acceptance by their peers, extra curricular activities, and service to local programs and agencies.

Lucy Riley is a fifth grader at Reed Intermediate School. Her teachers are Chris Breyan and Kathy Erickson. Outside of school Lucy has a variety of interests including taking French, golf, and piano lessons. She also enjoys riding her bike and playing with her dogs and bird.

Lucy is a hardworking and conscientious student, putting 100 percent effort into all tasks. She is helpful and cooperative when working in group settings and shares her ideas on different topics. She is the secretary of the Rotary-sponsored Reed Interact Club.

Gabrielle Milano is a sixth grader at Reed. Her teachers are Janet McCabe and Karen Lane who state that Gabrielle is every teacher’s dream. She is a self-directed learner who puts 100 percent effort into everything she does both in and outside of class. Gabrielle demonstrates leadership qualities and always offers to help others. She volunteers during Learning Lab time to help out in the Reed Media Center as well as to assist special needs/medically fragile students in the Project Succeed classroom. Gabrielle is an active member of the Reed Interact Club and chaired the stuffed animal collection drive as an individual project.

Sara Phoenix is a seventh grader at Newtown Middle School. She is an honor roll student who loves art, the beach, swimming, and riding her bike. Sara is also looking forward to field hockey camp this summer. She enjoys participating in the school orchestra where she plays the violin.

Her teachers comment, “Sara’s dedication to learning is one of the strongest in our cluster. Besides doing her homework carefully, completely, and consistently, Sara participates actively in class. She also seeks help consistently to raise the academic bar to the next level. She is kind to all and a pleasant and reliable helper.”

Sara recently participated in the Great American Bake Sale with her family and consumer science teacher Mrs Beck. She stayed after school and prepared baked items to benefit the Share Our Strength organization, dedicated to ending child hunger.

Ashley Rothacker is an eighth grade honor student from Newtown Middle School. Her teachers say, “Ashley is a gentle young woman who leads with quiet strength and example. She is currently ranked in the top of each of her classes within her cluster. She is kind to everyone she comes in contact with. Ashley defines the self-directed learner and is incredibly proactive. She is the epitome of grace, intelligence, empathy, and leadership.”

Ashley has many interests both inside and outside of school. She is a member of the yearbook staff and plays the flute in the school band. Ashley enjoys playing soccer and taking tennis lessons.

She also participated in a 30-hour fast to raise money for the famine in Africa and to benefit the Tsunami Relief Fund. As part of an endangered species science project, she recycled cans to benefit the Save The Tiger Foundation.

Daniel Quinn is an eighth grader from St Rose School. His teachers say that Dan is the type of student teachers love to have. He has a great personality and a quick wit. Dan is always respectful and brings such energy with him to each class everyday. He is a diligent worker and a student that performs well every quarter.

Dan enjoys being in the spotlight and makes every attempt to join different teams, clubs, and organizations so that he truly can help those less fortunate.

Dan has been involved in many activities including the Newtown Food Pantry Drive and the Walkathon for Catholic Schools Week. He volunteers at the Rising Stars Summer Camp and has served as an alter server at St Rose. He has been one of the top basketball players at St Rose for the past four years. He is an honor roll student and was nominated for National Junior Honor Society.

James Davis is a senior at Newtown High School. James was proudly introduced at the Rotary Club ceremony by art teacher Diane Dutchik. His teacher states that James has been a constant presence in the art studios. He has taken both 2-D and 3-D courses and has shown tremendous growth over the past two years both artistically and emotionally. His work demonstrates excellent skill and craftsmanship.

A committed person to the arts, he extends himself beyond the classroom. He was a docent at the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art in Ridgefield and volunteered his time to educate Newtown High School students about the exhibits during field trips there.

Jim shares his love and understanding of art with everyone. He is a young man of integrity, passion, and intelligence.