OUTSTANDING TEACHERS

Rotary honors local educators

The Rotary Clubs of Utica, New Hartford, North Utica/ Whitestown, and Sauquoit honored seven Utica-area teachers on Thursday, June 1, at their annual Outstanding Educators Awards Program.

The program, presented during a Utica Rotary luncheon at the Yahnundasis Golf and Country Club in New Hartford, is an annual event of the area Rotary Clubs’ community service committees.

The 2023 recipients of the Outstanding Educators Awards are:

• Clinton Central High School — Roger Wratten

• New Hartford — Eileen Roth

• New York Mills Junior/Senior High School — Tim Papienuk

• Notre Dame Junior/Senior High School — Dana Giannandrea

• T.R. Proctor High School — Ken Szczesniak

• Sauquoit Valley High School — Natalie Powers

• Whitesboro Central High School — Lisa Alexander The awards program comes at the culmination of a year-long program during which area Rotary clubs hosted two students from each of seven area high schools.

At each of two weekly Rotary membership meetings over the past school year, the students each had an opportunity to introduce themselves to the Rotary members, and to learn about Rotary’s community, regional and international service, which are the fulfillment of the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.”

At the end of the school year, the students from each school are asked to select the teacher whom they believe exemplifies the Rotary motto, and the values of Rotary, as exemplified in its Four Way Test:

• Is it the truth?

• Is it fair to all concerned?

• Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

• Will it be beneficial to all concerned?