Gourdeau, Lynch Honored for Middle School Citizenship, Leadership

The Hamilton-Wenham Rotary Club has awarded its Outstanding Accomplishment certificates to two Miles River Middle School students - Jack Gourdeau and Alexis Lynch. Gourdeau received his award for Citizenship and Lynch was recognized for Leadership.

The awad was handed out on Dec. 14 at the club's weekly Friday breakfast meeting at the Community House of Hamilton and Wenham.

Gourdeau’s teacher wrote: “Jack is an outstanding young man. He constantly demonstrates outstanding citizenship in civics class and beyond. It's been a pleasure working with Jack this year. His good manners, strong work ethic and over-all pleasant personality make him a great choice for student of the month.”

For Lynch, her teacher stated: “Alexis was one of the first students to rejoin the Friends of Rachel Club (see below) this year. She has been extremely involved in all that the club has done so far this year. She has come to every club meeting, been vocal and thoughtful with her suggestions and ideas, and even contributed decorations for our Kindness Carnival. She has the natural ability to put a smile on anyone's face in every encounter. She is an extremely mature, kind, generous, and caring young lady. I am thrilled that I have the honor of working with her in the Friends of Rachel Club.”

Rachel Scott was one of the students killed at Columbine High School in 1999. She was well known at her school and in the community for her kind spirit. She spread a message of acceptance and forgiveness. At Miles River Middle School, teachers encourage their students to do the same by celebrating kind acts by students to others at the school.

In addition to the certificates, pictures of Gourdeau and Lynch will be put up at the Miles River Middle School. Rotary has also provide a wall plaque at the school on which their names will go along with those of past and future winners.

The 2012-2013 is the third school year of this program. The Outstanding Accomplishment awards from the Hamilton-Wenham Rotary Club have been given in the past for a variety of reasons cited by the middle teachers. They include leadership, good citizenship, excellence in the performing arts or extracurricular activity, sportsmanship, academic improvement, and academic excellence.

The Student of the Month program is a joint venture between the Hamilton-Wenham Rotary Club and the Miles River Middle School. Catherine Frost coordinates this program at the middle school and Tom Ackerman oversees it for Rotary.