North Haven Rotary Honors Two Students
of the Month
Every other
month, the North Haven Rotary Club honors two high academic achievers who have
been selected by the local high school staff as Students of the Month. Stating
that Angela DeFilippo and Matthew Brandt are “exemplary students and
outstanding members of the community”, the high school principal, Dr. Russell
Dallai, added that the pair of “gifted” seniors are also “wonderful selections”
for the recognition. He indicated that “Both students are ranked in the top ten
of a class of almost 300 students, and are involved in multiple honor
societies, clubs, athletics, and extensive community service.”
After thanking
the Rotary club for her latest recognition, Angela indicated that she was even
more honored to have been selected as a participant last spring in two Rotary District
7980 programs known as Next Generations and RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership
Awards). Of the latter, she said that she learned to trust in others stating,
“Listening to other people’s stories opened my mind to the realities of my
generation.” In regard to Next Generations she said, “I was continuously amazed
in my ability to open up to strangers.” Of her secondary school experience, she
spoke of being class secretary for four years, a Physical Education
facilitator, and secretary for both the Science and National Honor Societies.
As a member of the Rotary sponsored Interact Club at school, she explained that
she has served her community in a variety of ways, something she learned about
at RYLA, including weekly tutoring at Benhaven.
Find out what's happening in North Havenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
While
describing his gratitude for the honor, Matt began with a nod to his fellow
honoree, as well as a sincere expression of his love for his high school
experiences. He then reviewed his own impressive list of activities: swim team
captain, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Science Honor Society, both drama
& film clubs, Thespian Honor Society, Future Problem Solving, band &
choir, lighting director for plays at the middle school, and an internship at
the Beardsley Park Zoo. Pointing to the international motto of Rotary clubs,
service above self, he said it is “a worthy guide and a principle that I hope
to live by.”
To
summarize, Dallai said, “Beyond all of these accomplishments, both students are
a pleasure to know. North Haven High School is
proud of Angela and Matt!
