Rotarian Bethany Douglas, right, presents LAHS student Madison Foley with a Student of the Month certificate. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.comThe Rotary Club of Los Alamos recognized Madison Foley as its newest Student of the Month during the regular club meeting Tuesday at the Manhattan Project Restaurant.
The Rotary Club’s motto is “Service above Self” and the organization reaches out to students who exemplify this motto throughout the academic year. Rotarian Bethany Douglas explained why Foley deserves to be the newest Student of the Month.
Douglas said Foley not only serves as a Girl Scout but she has used her skills as a runner to help support cancer and Alzheimer’s causes. Additionally, she has paid tribute the service men and women by laying wreaths at the Santa Fe National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Solider.
Additionally, since 2013, Foley has traveled with the United Church of Los Alamos to Mexico to help build homes for families. It’s a lot of work, Douglas said, to construct three homes in five days. Plus, it is commendable for a teenager to spend her spring break helping less fortunate families.
“Madison, it is an awesome, awesome cause,” Douglas said.
Foley describes the experience as “eye opening.” She added the families who receive the homes are “so grateful for everything we do.”
At school, Foley is a member of the National Honor Society, maintains a 3.8 grade point average, and runs on the varsity track team. She thanked her family for their support and expressed her appreciation to Rotary.
“Thank you so much, (this is) such an honor,” Foley said.
To become a Rotary Student of the Month, students are first nominated by their teachers who are asked to select students who give positive contributions to their high school and community, show a good attitude about learning, are good citizens and are respectful of their teachers and peers and maintain good grades as well as classroom attendance and participation.
Furthermore, the club selects winners based on demonstrated spirit of service and exemplification of the Rotary Four-Way Test, which asks four questions:
- is it the truth;
- is it fair to all concerned;
- does it promote good will and better friendship; and
- will it be beneficial to all concerned?
