The Rotary Club of Welland is pleased to congratulate the 2023 Rotary Gold Medallion recipients from the graduating classes of 5 Welland and 2 Port Colborne High Schools

The Rotary Club of Welland has offered some form of Rotary Bursary since 1950, with more regular winners beginning in 1963 – 60  years ago! Two students from each of the 7 secondary schools graduating classes in Welland and Port Colborne are selected by their peers and guidance office. The premise is that these recipients signify Rotary’s Moto of “Service Above Self” both in their school and community life – “Of all the things we think say or do: Is it the truth? Is it Fair to all concerned?  Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

These students have been chosen by their peers and Guidance staff because they personify the motto of Rotary “Service Above Self”. They have made worthy contributions to the life of the school and the community at large and possess the qualities, abilities and interests that make them worthy representatives of their schools. At the same time, achieving academic success.

This year’s recipients are Zoe Sacuta and Marcelo De Freitas (Welland Centennial Secondary School); Selina Chau and Jerusha Kumar (Eastdale Secondary School); Mia Wendling and Simon Hauber (École secondaire catholique Saint-Jean-de-Brébeuf); Erica Jean-Charles and Vincent Warda (École secondaire Franco-Niagara); Zoey Snider and Sang Hoang (Lakeshore Catholic High School); Ava Bassi and Samuel Boon (Notre Dame College); and Emma Laur and Darien Gauthier (Port Colborne High School).

The Rotary Club of Welland, in recognition of your integrity, selflessness and worthy contribution to the life of your school with the unwavering commitment to the needs of others, provides a certificate, along with a Gold Medallion and small bursary, which will be presented to the recipients as part of their graduating program. Each school also has a permanent plaque indicating the recipients over the years.

At the Rotary Meeting of June 13^th, we had the pleasure of meeting these remarkable young people in person. They were asked to present a summary of the accomplishments, participation, and contribution; however not of themselves, but of their fellow classmate.  Repeatedly. They talked about dedication and involvement in not only school life, but community volunteerism, with some recipients collecting over 400 hours of community service! All recipients were driven to participate in many scholastic and athletic activities, mentoring younger students, and participating in the school’s leadership.