Columbus High School Students of the Month - Jackie Kugler, Co-chair of the Student of the Month/Year project, arranged for us to meet three of the Students of the Month from Columbus High School vying for the Youth of the Year Award.  These fine young people were selected as Students of the Month from a field of nominees selected by the staff at Columbus High School and provided to our committee consisting of Jackie Kugler and Amy Lang serving as co-chairs along with Rocky Buege, Richard Nelson, Bill Swisher and Mike Palmer. The students are evaluated by a criteria established by the National Exchange Club that emphasizes academic performance, community service work, participation in school activities and extra curricular involvement in the Student of the Month selection process. The selected students are recognized by the club for their accomplishment with a nice plaque and a $100 scholarship gift.

The process is then expanded to include an essay on a topic provided by the National Exchange Club that nominees write and present to the club.  This years topic is “America’s Youth: Expanding Our Horizons”.  The students visiting us today capably presented their essays as they always do.  Editor’s Note: It’s interesting to see how the individual students interpret the typically vague and irrelevant national theme.  But, let’s not go there right now.  Linda will read this and give council once again for launching into a myopic rant about some irritant.  She sees this as sure progress towards senility.  I think it’s maturation…

Megan Moore interprets the theme as applying to the development of young people into adulthood and all that entails.  I especially like the way Megan summed up her point of view this way: ”… we must expand our horizons with such things as education, extra-curricular activities, and living to one’s full potential.”

Drew Meyers is looking forward to his role in shaping the future of our country and making a contribution.  He said it like this:  “The potential and talent our nation holds in its youth is insurmountable and we youth must stand up and help this nation flourish.”  We couldn’t agree more Drew.

Hannah Kornrady offered a view for all of us to consider.  She said:  “Expanding our horizons, what does this mean?  In today’s society everything is constantly changing and sometimes we feel we can’t keep up.  We are always looking for new experiences and new ways to expand our knowledge.  To me, expanding my horizon means opening up to those new opportunities and learning new things.  Hannah, you are wise beyond your years.

Editor’s Note:  Uhh—Hannah and Linda are correct.  My comments aren’t associated with maturation...  Fortunately for me there’s a cure. Take a close look at what these young folks write .

Jackie Kugler, Co-chair of the Student of the Month/Year project, arranged for us to meet the three remaining Students of the Month from Columbus High School.  Once again the students described how the opportunities they take advantage of the many opportunities they have at school as well as the many extra-curricular activities these students participate in all contribute to expanding their horizons.  From Michael Berns ’ Dr. Fix-it class;  to Malynda Ryan’s ten day trip to Italy with the Waterloo Catholic Youth Ministry;  to Darcy Kjeld’s service as a Spanish tutor, all these experiences contribute to the growth of these remarkable young people.

Although the presentations were delivered in a soft-spoken way, they were all well received. I personally left feeling renewed and refreshed, as I suspect most of you did, too.

Click on their name and read their essay:

Megan Moore    Drew Meyers    Hannah Kornrady    Michael Berns     Malynda Ryan     Darcy Kjeld