During its regular lunch meeting at Flanders Fish Market on June 1, the Niantic Rotary hosted the parents and winners of the 2022 Student of the Month awards.

Students are selected by 11 departments at East Lyme High School: Math, English, Social Studies, Science, Global Language, Music, Art, Health/Physical Education, Technology Education, Coastal Connections and Family/Consumer Science. Nominated based on their academic, volunteer and leadership qualities, each winner received a plaque and scholarship money marking their achievements.

Niantic Rotary President and East Lyme Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Newton said he had no doubt that these students would accomplish great things, and also encouraged them to “go out there and be great role models.”

Newton also remarked that he may be looking at a future Niantic Rotary president or two in the group. His prediction is not that far-fetched considering that past Niantic Rotary president David Putnam (current East Lyme Parks and Recreations Director) was a Niantic Rotary Student of the Month from 1981.

Returning to a Niantic Rotary meeting 40 years later to see his daughter receive the award, another past Student of the Month was parent Scott Fraser.

The 2022 Niantic Rotary Students of the Month are: Isabella Y. Bogue, Sophia E. Cambi, Lila B.Devlin-Perry, Madeline M. Fraser, Grace M. Liu, Ethan J. Moore, Saayda Sajid, David J. Semnoski, Tenzin K. Sermo and Jennie A. Sherwood.

The Niantic Rotary Club consists of volunteers who work and live locally to contribute to projects that benefit students, seniors, food security, safety and accessibility for all. Local Rotarians are also part of the international impact of Rotary clubs all over the world that help promote peace, eradicate disease, provide clean water and support education.

For information, visit nianticrotary.org or on Facebook at Rotary Club of Niantic.

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