Rotary Club of Lynn continued with its tradition of recognizing eighth-grade students from Lynn Schools Thursday.
The celebrated students who have struggled with some adversity during the school year, or have shown empathy toward others in an outstanding way.
Eight-grade students Ishbel Garcia Granados, of Thurgood Marshall Middle School; Gabriella Pezzino, of St. Pius V School; Jasmilly Pons, of Breed Middle School; K’Lani Contreras, of Pickering Middle School, Ian Bogertman, of St. Mary’s Middle School, Emma Gustin, of Lynn Tech, and Nicole Maria accepted their awards Thursday, before St. Pius Principal Mary Beth Noe and Superintendent Deb Ruggiero.
The students were nominated by their teachers or guidance counselors, before being invited to a luncheon meeting of the members, and individually presented with a gift certificate to a local book store, a certificate of achievement, and a $25 gift certificate to open an account at the River Works Credit Union, the program’s sponsor.
Rotarían and Lynn businessman Joe Coombs started the Eighth Grade Recognition Program around 20 years ago, inspired by his own eighth-grade experience, which he referred to as a “turning point” in his life.
Coombs said that he acknowledges how “lost” he felt during those middle-school years and, were it not for a compassionate teacher who took him aside and supported him; he doubts he would’ve been as successful as he was as an adult.
Coombs’ success was derived from the positive reinforcement and support he received in middle school so he petitioned his fellow Rotarians to adopt the program. Since its inception, over 500 students have been recognized by the Lynn Rotary Club.
During the individual presentations, a narrative is read by the Club President or his designee enumerating the various situations the students struggled with and how they were overcome.
