Bay High grads net $16,500 in Bay Kiwanis annual achievement awards
BAY KIWANIS HONOREES -- Sixteen of eighteen 2010 Bay High School Kiwanis Award winners gather for a group photo at the Bay Community Center. They are, third row, from left: Michael Washington (wearing cap), Sarah Chen, Jacob Faile, Erin Stevens, Andy Meyer, Meredith Horrigan and Nicole Craft. Second row, from left: Katelyn Waddle, Nate Campbell, Elizabeth DiFiore, Meredith Liedtke, and MaryKate McHugh. First row, from left: Sarah Lipperman, Alexandra Puntel, Andrew Brandt and Jessica Kuh. Not shown are Rebecca Fyffe and Rachel Stone.
For the 49th year, the Bay Village Kiwanis Club has sent outstanding Bay High School seniors out into the world with money for school in their pockets.
On July 27, Kiwanians handed out $16,500 in academic achievement awards to 18 members of the class of 2010 in supper ceremonies at Bay Lodge. Students and parents applauded as Bay School Superintendent Clint Keener read their achievements as the students came to the podium one by one to receive their checks.
Department awards in technology, English, drama, music and business went to students whose teachers feel they are outstanding in their fields. They include Michael Washington, Sarah Chen, Jacob Faile, Erin Stevens, Rebecca Fyffe, Andy Meyer and Meredith Horrigan. An award for the most inspirational students went to Nicole Craft.
Kiwanis and Key Club awards went to Nate Campbell, Elizabeth DiFiore, Meredith Liedtke, Rachel Stone, MaryKate McHugh, Sarah Lipperman and Alexandra Puntel. The Ronald L. Dezember Memorial Music Award, named for a club founder, went to Katelyn Waddle.
A new honor this year, the Randy N. Stang Good Neighbor Award, was awarded to Andrew Brandt and Jessica Kuh. The award is named for the late Randy N. Stang, a beloved Kiwanian and community leader who exemplified the Kiwanis commitment to serving children. It was co-sponsored by the Bay Village Education Foundation and the Kiwanis Club.
Superintendent Keener reminded students and their parents that the awards are intended to help students going to college with book purchase money and other expenses. A Kiwanis Committee chaired by Rhonda Schneider pored over dozens of applications from students who exhibited strong scholastic, moral and social skills throughout their academic careers, weighing the students' service to their school, community and to people in need.
Master of Ceremonies John Solomon explained to the sixty-plus students, parents and club members present that Bay Kiwanians raise money for the scholarship the hard way – they work for it. Kiwanis sponsor such hands-on events as community pancake breakfasts, fish fries, Christmas tree sales, special events and their legendary Bay Days Curly Fries booth. The club actually sponsors and manages Bay Days, along with its classic car show, bike, trike and wagon contest, and family games, providing funds for a wide range of community needs.
Tom Johnson is president-elect of the Bay Village Kiwanis Club.