by Rossland Telegraph on Friday Jun 22 2018
Rossland’s Hannah Kroeker, who has just graduated from the Seven Summits Centre for Learning, is one of two recipients of a $500 award from Rossland Rotary, recognizing their outstanding service to the community. The other winner is Lucy Beck, graduating from J.L. Crowe in Trail.
The two awards are named in honour of late Rotarian Mike Pistak, who was a member of Rossland Rotary for over 50 years. He said that membership in the group “offers us the opportunity for fellowship and to contribute just a little bit to the community and to our country.” Hence the “Mike Pistak Memorial Bursary donated by Rossland Rotary for Service Above Self.”
Rossland Rotary member Sheree Sonfield explained that the club’s success in fundraising has enabled them to give two awards to deserving students this year, instead of just one. In addition to these awards, the Rossland Rotary Club continues to host and sponsor Youth Exchange Students, and to fully sponsor students to attend the Rotary Adventures in Citizenship and Adventures in Technology programs. The Club has recently donated to the Youth Action Network, Friends of the Rossland Range, and Rossland Library. The Club continues to donate time and funds to the Rossland Museum and Discovery Center, and Nickleplate Park projects and more.
Hannah Kroeker has participated in the Rotary Interact Club since elementary school. She participated in International Service trips to Cambodia and Guatemala, and she has been an excellent model of community involvement, demonstrating leadership for her peers. Hannah has initiated and led activities and events to benefit her community and far beyond it. She was chosen for the “Adventures in Citizenship” award, a trip to Ottawa, which she enjoyed thoroughly. “It was amazing!” she said, “We learned so much.”
Hannah will be off to the University of Toronto this fall, to obtain the necessary education for a career as a forensic anthropologist.
Lucy Beck of Trail is another student who contributes to her community and provides leadership to her peers. She also travelled to Cambodia, and volunteered in an orphanage there; she travelled to Germany as an exchange student, and spend four and a half months there. In Grade 11, she identified gaps in the school district’s sexual health curriculum, and spoke to a group of school board members about it on behalf of the student body. Lucy is bound for Mount Royal University in Calgary this fall, to work toward a degree in Business Administration, majoring in Social Innovation. She hopes to continue to pursue her passion for art at the same time.
Below: Lucy Beck’s grad photo, provided by her parents:
