Holding programs and events to promote ’Service Above Self’ in our Youth Services is an important part of the Rotary Club of Roswell's identity and is the Club takes seriously. In addition to those Rotary-centric/specific things (Interact, Leadership 20/20, Roswell Youth Council, Scholarships, etc.), our club also branches outside of the “Rotary walls” to recognize the Student and Teacher of the Year from those schools.

We have 15 schools (Elementary, Middle and High Schools both private and public) in our service area who we offer to recognize their outstanding teacher and student for the school year. We invite them (and their loved ones) to a weekly lunch where time is set aside during the program to honor them. It is always a treat to learn more about both the teachers and the students; to hear about their accolades and accomplishments and, in some cases, their personal struggles that shaped who they are today. The picture-taking moment is when RRC President Trummie Lee Patrick III presents them with their personalized certificate, an Amazon Gift card and a folder filled with notes of congratulations from Roswell Rotary members. A great way to celebrate our Hometown Hero Teachers and the students who live a Service Above Self life.

Also noteworthy is the feedback we get from the schools because it is always positive. While they get to recognize their honorees within their school family, sometimes that news remains within the school family and is not distributed to the larger public. Our program helps to broaden that recognition of the deserving teachers and students to places they otherwise would not reach.

Not only is this a Service Above Self activity but it also provides a way to engage non-Rotary members for marketing and awareness of the club. This program is a simple way to demonstrate a club’s recognition of those teachers and students in their area’s schools who clearly deserve that recognition. “This program just helps increase the volume of that praise they so justly deserve,” James Stone, Committee Chair.