The Exchange Club of Lake Highlands has been busy so far this month, granting a well-deserved donation to a local nonprofit and recognizing LHHS seniors for their contributions to their school and community.
The Club recently presented Healing Hands Ministries a donation of $4,000. This donation is part of the Club’s continuing support for this worthy organization.
Healing Hands Ministries opened its doors in 2007 and is a grass roots, volunteer-driven community-based organization providing reliable, efficient, low-cost medical and dental care to the neediest in our community.
Continuing through the 2012-2013 school year, the Exchange Club of Lake Highlands is honoring outstanding students in the senior class at Lake Highlands High School with its monthly Youth of the Month award and Character Counts awards.
Ronda Moreland, Vice President of Youth for the Exchange Club introduced the February awardees at the Club’s regular meeting on February 8. The recipients of the February Youth of the Month Awards were Hannah Willard and Patrick Mahurin, and the recipients of the Character Counts Awards were Brandon Terrell and Merrion Dale.
YOUTH OF THE MONTH
The Youth of the Month award is designed to recognize industrious high school students who attain high levels of academic achievement and service to the community.
Hannah Willard has been a participant in music and arts programs during her time at LHHS. She has been a member of the A Cappella Choir, Espree and LHHS Theatre Productions. Along with fellow February Youth of the Month awardee Patrick Mahurin she played a lead role in this year’s LHHS Musical, South Pacific. Hannah is currently ranked 40th in her senior class. She is member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta (math honor society) and Girls Service League. Outside of school she is a member of Prestonwood Baptist Church and participates in the Artists of Christian Talent program. She plans to attend Texas A&M University and major in Elementary Education, with the goal to come back and teach in the RISD someday. In her essay read to the audience, Hannah recounted her volunteer work working with children and expressed her desire to continue that work through out her life.
Patrick Mahurin has also participated in the arts and music programs during his time at LHHS. He has been a member of the LHHS Choir, Espree and played a lead role in the LHHS Musical, South Pacific. Patrick is a member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta (math honor society). He is currently ranked 55th in his senior class. Outside of class, he is President of his church’s youth choir and participates on Youth Chorus of Greater Dallas. He plans to attend Texas A&M-Galveston and major in Marine Biology and Marine Administration. In his essay presented to the Club, Patrick discussed the vital role modern technology can play in organizing and getting the word out to potential volunteers in the community.
CHARACTER COUNTS
The Character Counts award recognizes students who exhibit in their daily lives the six pillars of character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.
Brandon Terrell has been active both in and out of the classroom during his high school career. Brandon is a member of the National Honor Society, DECA, Mu Alpha Theta (math honor society) and student council. He is a captain of the varsity baseball team. He is ranked 94th in his senior class. Outside of the classroom, he is a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Younglife, is involved in youth activities at Park Cities Baptist Church and has volunteered at the Austin Street Shelter. Brandon plans to attend the University of Oklahoma and major in business entrepreneurship. Peggy Dillon, LHHS Principal, read several complements from Brandon’s teachers, including that Brandon is a “consistent, honest and respectful young man” and “he loves people and people love him.”
Merrion Dale has participated in many activities during her time at LHHS. She is a member of the National Honor Society and is currently ranked 40th in her senior class. She is a member of the LHHS Highlandettes and the band, for which she plays the flute. Outside the classroom, she volunteers at her church and particularly enjoyed a recent mission trip to Belize. Merrion plans to attend Texas A&M University where she plans to major in International Studies with a minor in French. Dillon read several compliments about Merrion from her teachers, including that Merrion “possesses all of the qualities we want to see in our young adults” and is a “bright and shining star among her peers.”
Each month during the 2012-2013 school year, the Exchange Club will present two Lake Highlands High School students with the Character Counts Award and two students with the Youth of the Month Award.
Story and photos courtesy of Robert W. Van Amburgh of the Exchange Club of Lake Highlands.