The Rotary Club of Westerville recognized its October 2021 Students of the Month during its Oct. 14 luncheon meeting at the Villa Milano.
Throughout the school year, from October through May, the Club honors four students from local high schools each month. Working with the school principals and counselors, one student each month is chosen from Westerville Central, Westerville North, Westerville South and St. Francis DeSales high schools.
The students, their parents, and the school administrators are introduced and honored at a Rotary Club luncheon each month.
October 2021 Honoree Profiles
Westerville Central: Alyssa Boyd’s favorite subjects are English, chemistry and biology. The senior is part of multiple groups and organizations including Warhawks Helping Warhawks, Battle of the Books, National Honor Society, Boo Radley Club and Handshake America. She is a class officer, helps in her church and competes in varsity tennis. Among the awards and honors she has received: Most Improved Player, co-captain of the tennis team, Academic Excellence Awards, Scholar Athlete and National Merit Semi-Finalist. She also has leadership roles in Warhawks Helping Warhawks and Battle of the Books. She is interested in studying biology or another premed course at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke, Ohio State, University of Florida, University of South Florida, University of Central Florida, University of Cincinnati and the University of Texas at Dallas. “I am honored by my selection,” she said. “Thank you for your service to our community!”
Westerville North: Jolie Helt’s favorite subject is English. The senior is captain of the girl’s soccer team, a member of WALT, assistant editor-in-chief of the school newspaper and a student section leader. She is a member of the National Honor Society Member and was recognized on the school’s high honor roll. She hopes to study broadcasting and/or communications at Ohio University and Ohio State. “I love being a warrior,” she said.
Westerville South: Tiara Takyi’s favorite subjects are business management, government and statistics. The senior is involved in student council and is a member of multiple groups including Our Voices Matter, Hope Squad, Key Club, National Honors Society, Fighting for Feminism, Mock Trial and the Ohio Leadership Collaborative. She performs for the school’s Colorguard and competes in track and field. Among the awards and honors she has received: Track and Field Coach’s award, Ohio Capital Conference Champion 400M Dash, Best Attorney Award in the Ohio Mock Trial, Final Four Award Ohio Mock Trial, Academic Varsity Letter, Track Varsity Letter, Marching Band Varsity Letter, Orchestra Varsity Letter, Rookie of the Year Award through marching band, Student Athlete Award and Scholars Award. She is interested in studying business marketing at Pennsylvania State University or the University of North Carolina, followed by law school. “I would like to thank the Rotary for holding this meeting to honor the students of Westerville that volunteer in our community,” she said. “The students of Westerville South honor and respect this club and I am honored to receive this award and continue serving my community.”
St. Francis DeSales: Iris D’Costa’s favorite subjects are anatomy and physiology, chemistry and history. The senior is involved in multiple groups: DeSales Ski Club, DeSales Spanish Club, National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, DeSales Evangelization Team, DeSales World Cultures Club, DeSales Asian and Pacific Islander Student Association and DeSales Math Club. She is a DeSales Student Ambassador and serves as a retreat leader for DeSales senior retreat. She volunteers at various organizations including Parents of Murdered Children (PMC), WARM (Westerville Area Resource Ministry), The Huckleberry House and Serving our Seniors (SOS). She received an AP Scholar Award, the Dick Stevens Excellence Award for Marketing and the Jim Schmall Memorial Scholarship. She plans to study premed at Ohio State, then attend The Ohio State University Medical School to study to become a surgeon. “I am so thankful to be a student of the month for the Rotary Club of Westerville!” she said.
THANK YOU to the Westerville City School District for its ongoing participation and support for our Students of the Month Program. Read more at westerville.k12.oh.us.
Photo courtesy of the Westerville City School District/Charlie Boss
Pictured from left: Rotary Club of Westerville President Joe Meyer, October Students of the Month Jolie Helt (North), Iris D’Costa (DeSales), Alyssa Boyd (Central), Tiara Takyi (South), and Rotary Students of the Month Committee Chair Janet Withers.
Founded in 1959, the Rotary Club of Westerville is a service club of business professionals and leaders working to improve our community and larger world. We are part of Rotary International. Find out more at WestervilleRotary.com. Contact the Club and learn how to join at www.westervillerotary.com/contact-form.