At a special award ceremony at the Historic Ruston Fire Station, the Rotary Club of Ruston recognized its October students of the month.
Grambling State University High School’s Kyrah Hill was among those being honored.
She said, “Being able to be recognized by the Rotary Club was really an amazing experience. I met students from other schools who were very friendly and also excelled academically. The members of the Rotary Club were also very nice and welcoming.”
MELANIE C. THOMAS/The Yearbook
Dr. Pamela Payne, GHS principal, stands with Kyrah Hill, a Rotary Club honoree for October. She is Miss GHS and a senior.
To qualify as a Rotary Student of the Month, a student must be a senior with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 and be an officer or member of at least one high school club or organization.
In addition to being the reigning Miss Grambling High, Hill is a member of the student council, Future Business Leaders of America, 4-H Club, Dynamic DuMaine Dance Line and Lady Kittens Softball Team.
Last summer she attended Grambling State University’s High Ability Program and earned six college credit hours. This fall, through GSU’s dual enrollment program, she is taking a physics lab and lecture.
Besides Hill’s school activities, she is involved in her community. “I often go to the nursing home during the holiday seasons and sing for the elderly just to warm their hearts,” said Hill, who sings in the choir at her church, Fellowship Baptist Church in Spearsville, Louisiana.
Also, she is involved in a community program called It’s A Girl Thing! The group meets and discusses different topics that will help them lead by example and be positive role models to other young women.
Her future goals include being a pediatrician, and she credits much of her success to her parents. “I was born to loving and inspiring parents, Alfred and Virginia Hill.”
Kyrah believes awards and recognition help students continue to keep up the good work. “It’s like a little extra push for us when we feel like giving up. It was most definitely an experience that I will always remember,” she said.
In addition to her parents and counselor, on hand to support Hill was GHS principal, Dr. Pamela Payne, a member of the rotary club.
She said Hill was selected because she demonstrates academic excellence, leadership and confidence. Payne said, “Kyrah has demonstrated her scholastic ability. She is able to handle her high school and dual enrollment classes.”
Payne said it is a good idea for students to be recognized academically since so much is placed on athletic, and the Rotary Club does a great job of doing so.
“I am a part of Rotary because I believe in giving back, and the Rotary Club gives back to the community in many different ways,” said Payne.