Staff report
Some of these youngsters have already done more to serve others than some people do in a lifetime.
One boy even donates his allowance to the Humane Society.
Several local students were recognized Tuesday as part of the 13th annual Service Above Self youth awards.
The event, sponsored by the Rowan Rotary Club and the Rowan County United Way, took place at Keppel Auditorium at Catawba College Tuesday evening.
This year, community members nominated 348 youngsters who have gone above and beyond to help others. Presidents of local colleges ó Dr. Jimmy Jenkins of Livingstone, Dr. Carol Spalding of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and Dr. Craig Turner of Catawba ó judged the entries.
Three first-place individual winners ó one for elementary, middle and high school categories ó won $250. First runners-up won $100, and second runners-up won $50.
All individual winners received a medal and a check in the amount of half their cash prize for the school or organization that nominated them.
Three group winners were recognized in each category. The first-place winners got $500, first runners-up got $100 and second runners-up got $50.
Meet the winners:Elementary school winnner
Name: Andrea Luttrell
Schoool: Fifth-grader at Granite Quarry Elementary
Age: 11
Nominated by:Her teacher, Susan Safrit
Her service: Luttrell helped her classmates learn more about autism, a brain development disorder. She gave a speech about what it’s like to volunteer, and she helped stock drinks at the Autism Speaks walk.
Lutrell also educated the adults at the autism walk about recycling, and she talked about recycling the boxes, cans and water bottles.
Words from her principal:”She does an outstanding job,” Granite Quarry Elementary Principal Vicki Booker said. “She is a wonderful student.”
Individual first runner-up: Graham Reynolds, who collected cans and donated the money to the Rowan County Humane Society. He donates his allowance earned from doing chores, and he serves as an advocate for the Humane Society in his school and in the community.
Individual second runner-up: Billy McGee, who volunteers with his Awana youth group. During the holidays, he visits a nursing home, where he sings and makes cards for the residents.
Group winner: Overton Elementary Student Council
Group first runner-up:Isenberg Elementary Student Government Association
Group second runner-up:Granite Quarry Student Government Association
Elementary school with most quality nominations:Granite Quarry Elementary
Middle school winner
Name: Kirsten Horne
School:Eighth-grader at Southeast Middle
Age: 13
Nominated by:Colleen Smiley, the school’s student council director
Her service: Horne helped organize the fall and spring spirit weeks at school. She helped get students excited about the Relay for Life dance, and she volunteered 144.5 hours with the school’s student council.
What she has to say:”I enjoy helping the community and supporting our school,” Horne said.
First runner-up:Devin Clark, who volunteered 154.5 hours of service to others. He had good ideas for the Student Council and helped eliminate costs for a dance, allowing the council to make 100 percent profit.
Second runner-up: Andrew Mekebak, who helped with the Arc of Rowan. He assisted at the summer day camp and monthly dances, and he served as a member on the Special Olympics unfied bocce team.
Group winner:Southeast Middle School Student Council
Group first runner-up:Corriher-Lipe Middle School Junior Beta Club
Group second runner-up:Corriher-Lipe Middle School Just STOMP group
Middle school with most quality nominations:Southeast Middle
High school winnerName: Taylor Bryan
School: Senior at West Rowan High School
Age:17
Nominated by: Jason Chester, the school’s Future Farmers of America adviser
Her service: Bryan started a trick-or-treat canned food drive on Halloween to benefit Rowan Helping Ministries. She collects eggs from West Rowan’s FFA hen project and delivers them to Rowan Helping Ministries once a month.
She also is involved in a project that collects gently used shoes for underprivileged children. Bryan helped organize a school-supply drive to help students who need supplies. She helped organize a 30-hour famine at her church to raise money and awareness of starving children throughout the world.
On how she has time to do all this: “Uh, I don’t do anything else ó literally,” Bryan said.
A mother’s pride: “She legitimately puts other people first, and that’s what I’m most proud of,” Bryan’s mother, Jane Bryan, said.
Group winner: West Rowan High School JROTC
Group first runner-up: East Rowan JROTC
Group second runner-up:Terrific Trio Times 2 mentoring program of Rowan County Youth Services
High school with most quality nominations:West Rowan High School