Rotary Club awards ‘Service Above Self’

    HOULTON — On May 5, Houlton Rotary Club presented Hodgdon High School with the “Service Above Self” Award at the annual Student Recognition Lunch. As a service organization, the Houlton Rotary club honors a local high school annually for demonstrating exemplary performance in the area of service to the community.
Photo courtesy of Houlton Rotary Club
AWARDED — Hodgdon High School was chosen for the Rotary Club’s “Service Above Self” award. From left, Principal Clark Rafford accepts the plaque from Fred Grant of the Houlton Rotary Club.
    “Service Above Self is the Rotary motto,” stated Fred Grant, president-elect of the Houlton Rotary Club. “We honor those that serve the best and Hodgdon High School made a significant impact on the community this year.”
    In total, Hodgdon High School participated in 18 community service projects which benefited a broad range of organizations and individuals such as Houlton Regional Hospital, St. Mary’s Food Pantry, Coats & Clothes for Kids through the Salvation Army, local veterans, children and the elderly. Their efforts included participation of hundreds of students and spanned the entire academic year.
    What is significant about Hodgdon High School’s service program is that they recognize the importance of the efforts of even a few students working together for a common good, added Grant. In addition to conducting large scale projects, students were encouraged to make an impact in the community even if it involved only a few students who were passionate about the cause.
    Grant concludes, “Making a difference in the lives of those around you is what Rotary is all about.  We applaud Hodgdon and all the schools in our region for teaching students that even as individuals we can make a positive impact on the community.”