C.J. Hill, Student of the Month, was honored recently at a special awards dinner at the . Joined by his parents, Chuck and Lorraine Hill, he was recognized for many things - his recent Eagle Scout award and volunteer efforts as a junior firefighter.
"This is wonderful having a young man and an Eagle Scout win the Rotary Student of the Month award," said Clinton Rotary president Maria Varga.
A junior at , C.J. was nominated for the award by one of his teachers, Monica DeBerardinis, who teaches special education.
DeBerardinis explained that C.J. has been involved in so much this year: receiving his Eagle Scout Medal for the work he did on a garden at the ( and his work as a junior firefighter with the , especially on their 100th anniversary celebration this summer.
"He has faced a lot of challenges with great effort, integrity and an amazing work ethic," said DeBerardinis. "In the spirit of 'service about self' in Rotary, C.J. exemplifies this."
C.J. said the idea of a landscaped garden at the church came to him after his mother had organized the 'Field of Flags' program that honored all the U.S. service men and women who have given their lives in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
C.J.'s father, Chuck Hill, who is also a volunteer firefighter for Clinton and involved in scouts since his son was in first grade, said the Rotary award was a special honor for C.J.
"He worked hard on his Eagle Scout award having to get out of his comfort zone," said Chuck Hill.
Please congratulate C.J. when you see him at school or around town.
