The Rotary Club of Forest Grove recognized five students from three school districts as Youth Citizens of the Month at its January and February meetings.
Four Forest Grove School District students were honored Jan. 28: Conan Moore of Neil Armstrong Middle School, Marisa Calvillo of Forest Grove High School, and Rhyli Mason and Isabelle Swendig of Tuality Plains High School. At the February meeting, the club honored Evalyn Fordyce of Gaston Junior/Senior High School.
January
Moore, an eighth grader, was praised by counselor Susan Lee for his reading and writing skills, analytical thinking and dependability. “He’s kind, helpful, hardworking, humorous and inquisitive,” Lee told club members, according to a press release.
Calvillo, a senior, earned College Board honors while playing soccer and lacrosse and holding down a part-time job. She also spent two summers as a peer tutor. “This type of selfless attitude and willingness to help others is one of the many traits Marisa exhibits,” said Assistant Principal Doug Thompson.
Mason, a student at Tuality Plains, balances her coursework with caring for her young son. Teacher Christy Crisman said Mason “manages her dual roles with grace” and has “a deep-seated kindness that enriches our school community.”
Isabelle “Izzy” Swendig, also a student at Tuality Plains, is an aspiring kindergarten teacher. Crisman described her as “compassionate, dependable and deeply respectful of others.”
February
The February meeting had an unusual twist: Gaston counselor Laura Fordyce introduced the honoree: her own daughter, Evalyn, an eighth grader.
The elder Fordyce said she’s been most gratified watching her daughter’s concern for others in the small district, which enrolls just under 500 students. “She looks out for the little guy,” she said. “The student who needs a friend, who needs to be welcomed into a new school.”
Counselor Kathy Cooper called Fordyce “a shining example of what it means to be a responsible and caring member of our school community.”
A second Gaston honoree was unable to attend and will be recognized at a later date, the club said.
The Youth Citizen of the Month program rotates between the Forest Grove, Banks and Gaston school districts, honoring eighth graders and seniors for citizenship and character. Each honoree received a certificate and a $50 gift card from Frye’s Action Athletics.
Rotary Global Scholarship open until March 1
Rotary District 5100 is accepting applications for a 2026-2027 Global Grant Scholarship, which provides up to $30,000 annually for graduate-level study abroad aligned with Rotary’s areas of focus, including peacebuilding, disease prevention, water and sanitation, and environmental protection.
The district selects one candidate each year. Applicants must have admission to a foreign academic institution and speak the language of instruction.
For more information, visit rotarydistrict5100.org/global-scholars or email RD5100GlobalScholars@gmail.com. The deadline is March 1.
