JACKSON, Wyo. — The Jackson Hole Rotary Lunch Club presented its “Students of the Season” awards on Tuesday virtually through Zoom. The awards recognize outstanding high school students from Jackson Hole High School, Jackson Hole Community School, Summit Innovations High School, and Mountain Academy of Teton Science School.
Dr. Scott Crisp, Principal of Jackson Hole High School, kicked things off by introducing us to senior Brielle Griggs. Brielle moved to Jackson from Colorado, and Dr. Crisp mentioned that several students move to Jackson every year, becoming members of the diverse student body at JHHS. What stood out to him about Brielle is how she dived right in, participating in extracurricular activities and excelling in mathematics.
Griggs told Rotary that she thrived under the many opportunities and welcoming peers at JHHS and was proud of her involvement in robotics and being captain of the business team.
Drew Overholser from Mountain Academy introduced Rotarians to senior Lily Wade and remarked on her ability to pursue her interests while always carving out time to be of service to others and her community.
Lily told the Lunch Club of her proclivity for hoarding animals, currently living with five dogs and 19 chickens. Her favorite word is “with,” which she thinks captures unity and believes we are stronger together than alone.
Wade has traveled to Costa Rica, Fiji, and Thailand with the National Geographical Society, where she helped repair a damaged school, build a community center, and taught English. These trips have meant so much to her due to their positive impact on others and communities.
Jackson Hole Community School’s Head of School, Manish Bhatt, said senior Daniela Garcia’s “grace and grit and endless devotion to her school and local community” inspires him and fellow faculty.
A member of the Honor Council, Garcia mentioned how, when tasked to select her favorite novel from school, she chose two short stories—Self Reliance and Walden. Daniela felt, due to COVID, she and others were struggling to connect to the world around them. These short stories taught her the ability to step away, focus on what matters most in the here and now.
Pier Trudelle, Principal of Summit Innovations School said that senior Jonathan Bedolla-Jensen is “a talented writer, a deep thinker who in his quiet way steps in when others need help.”
Jonathan spoke of “last times” and the truth that there will always be a “last time” to do something and appreciate things.
“You never really know when you are going to experience something for the last time; this has been a motivating call for me to appreciate things and go through life, making the most of every moment, every task,” Bedolla-Jensen said
The philosophy has driven him to learn more, utilize what is available to him, apply it to help his peers, and provide insight and encouragement.
Rotary Lunch Club president Melissa Turley said, “Our Students of the Season program is a highlight for so many Rotarians. More than ever, we need a bright spot in our days, and hearing from these exceptional students who are doing so much for themselves, their fellow students, our community and beyond impresses and inspires us all.”
