LYNN — The Lynn Rotary continued with its tradition of recognizing eighth-grade students from Lynn Middle Schools on May 25. These are students who have struggled with some adversity during the school year, or have shown empathy toward others in an outstanding way.
The students are nominated by their teacher or guidance counselor, someone who knows the student very well. The students are invited to a luncheon meeting of the members, and are individually presented with: a gift certificate to a local book store; certificate of achievement; and a $25 gift certificate to open an account at the River Works Credit Union, the program sponsor.
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. During the program Raymond Bastarache, former Lynn Rotary president and former deputy superintendent of schools, indicated the importance of this program. He said: “one can tell how valued this program is to the City of Lynn by the people in attendance”.
He then went on to introduce Mayor Jared Nicholson, Fire Chief Dan Sullivan, and Superintendent of Schools Debra Ruggiero. Mayor Nicholson addressed the students and the Rotarians, he said “it is refreshing to see several of the city’s students being honored by this civic group. It’s not every day a non-school group takes the time to recognize students for their accomplishments.”
Approximately 20 years ago the Eighth-Grade Recognition Program was the brainchild of Rotarian and Lynn businessman Joe Coombs who always felt that the eighth grade was a turning point in his life. 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 it is safe to say that more than 500 students have been recognized by the Lynn Rotary Club.
