JACKSON, Wyo. — The Jackson Hole Rotary Lunch Club presented its “Students of the Season” awards Tuesday, April 20, 2021, virtually through Zoom.
The awards recognize outstanding high school students from Jackson Hole High School, Summit Innovations High School, Jackson Hole Classical Academy, and Mountain Academy.
Dr. Scott Crisp, Principal of Jackson Hole High School, kicked off the Students of the Season recognitions by introducing senior Jan “Brian” Stone. Crisp remarked that Brian is an exceptional student with a unique story who inhabits a remarkable ability to adapt to change and thrive. He also shared that Brian will be attending Boys State through the American Legion, a highly competitive summer program, this year.
Brian shared his story of growing up in Croatia and moving to Jackson just over a year ago. He told Rotarians and guests that his mission in life is to help people and hopes to achieve that goal through studying Criminal Justice at Central Wyoming College and the University of Wyoming. His family in Croatia is a source of strength and inspiration, especially his mom, who he lives within Jackson.
Corbin Johnson was honored as the student selected from Summit Innovations High School, introduced by Principal Pier Trudelle. His deep understanding of what he wants in his future, leadership skills, and strong work ethic are some of the character traits Trudelle observed about Corbin.
Johnson thanked Pier and Summit for the opportunities he and his family have had there, especially developing an inquisitive eye towards the natural world and instilling a love of reading. Corbin thanked his science teacher for giving him a banjo, and teaching him to play, and delighted the guests with a reading from one of his favorite books, The Name of the Wind.
Zachary Hughes, an instructor from the Jackson Hole Classical Academy, spoke of senior Samantha Fairbanks’s talent as both a state tennis athlete and theatre actor who has great leadership skills in and out of the classroom.
Samantha shared her humanitarian trips to places like Ecuador, where she assisted in building a school several years ago. She has a passion for learning from other cultures and spoke of gratitude for these opportunities and wanting to be a leader in her community.
David Porter introduced junior Milo Goodell from the Mountain Academy as a student that enjoys outdoor recreation and volunteering to ensure that children have access to recreational opportunities throughout Teton County.
Goodell, known by his peers as an enthusiastic recreator, also loves to play the piano, an instrument he has dedicated ten years to learning. Milo enjoys ski coaching through Teton Valley Ski Foundation in Driggs, where he conveys his love for winter sports and the outdoors to growing athletes.
“We look forward to our Students of the Season program every quarter, where we hear inspiring stories of high school students, their contributions to our community, what inspires them, and how they bring positive change to their school,” says JH Rotary Lunch Club President Melissa Turley. “Our students honored today and throughout the valley have shown strength, vulnerability, and determination this year, and we recognize all of them and their achievements.”
