Twelve Humble ISD students, representing a diverse group of high school seniors who demonstrate leadership both in the classroom and the community, were selected as Junior Rotarians by The Rotary Club of Lake Houston.
Students chosen are: Angelina Covey and Kevin Muzzarelli of Atascocita High School; Angel Daughtry and Mykah Scott of Humble High School; Alexandra Richmond and Kyle Cantrell of Kingwood High School; Casey Smoot and Jack Logan of Kingwood Park High School; Adolfo Salazar and Brodrick Sykes of Quest Early College High School; and Abigail Harrison and Maranda Suescun of Summer Creek High School.
This year’s Junior Rotarian program for Humble ISD students is a one-year recognition and leadership program for seniors that includes community service, fellowship, leadership activities, and mentorship. Each Humble ISD high school has two students participating in the program. Students may be eligible for a $1,000 scholarship after completing the program.
The idea of putting others first is what prompted Atascocita High School junior Angelina Covey to apply to become a Junior Rotarian.
“Putting others above our own personal agenda is needed every day and especially during these unprecedented times,” Covey said.
Covey also looks forward to further developing communication, project planning, leadership, service, and teamwork skills that she can use in her future academic and career paths.
Junior Rotarian Adolfo Salazar, a junior at Quest Early College High School, sees the program as a door to new opportunities.
“It allows students to get out of their comfort zone and engage with school partners,” Salazar said.
Students are selected through a rigorous application process that begins with a nomination from the school counselor. Selection is based upon academic achievement, community service and leadership. Letters of recommendation are also submitted by a student’s principal, counselor or teacher.
Humble High School junior Angel Daughtry sees her Junior Rotarian experience as a chance to enrich her community.
“I want to strengthen the connection between students and those who may be hard to reach in order to unite the Greater Lake Houston area as a community,” Daughtry said. “It’s critical during this time of COVID-19.”
In addition to peer interaction, a mentor from the Rotary Club of Lake Houston is assigned to each Junior Rotarian based on career interests and similarities. Each student will have the opportunity to participate in an essay contest. Upon completing the program, students will be asked during exit interviews to talk about how the values of Rotary may affect their future.
Bonnie Longnion, a Rotary Club member, along with former Superintendent Dr. Guy Sconzo, envisioned a Rotary program that would provide new opportunities for Humble ISD students to get involved in their community. After several years of discussion and planning, the Rotary Club of Lake Houston first began the Junior Rotarian program for the 2016-2017 school year. The program was modeled from a highly successful Junior Rotarian program in Oklahoma City.
“Humble ISD spent six months conducting a nationwide search of Junior Rotarian programs to create what would be the perfect fit for our district,’ Dr. Roger Brown, Humble ISD Deputy Superintendent, said.
The Junior Rotarian program is just one of the many student programs and community humanitarian initiatives that the Rotary Club of Lake Houston has implemented over the last 50 years.
For more information about Rotary, visit humblerotary.com or Rotary.org.