Andrea Reyes Aguilar (left photo, center) of Forest Grove High School and Emilia Aguirre (right photo, center) are the first Forest Grove School District honorees of the year for the Rotary Club of Forest Grove Youth Citizen of the Month program.

FOREST GROVE, Ore. (Oct. 29, 2023) – The Rotary Club of Forest Grove is proud to recognize Andrea Reyes Aguilar from Forest Grove High School, and Emilia Aguirre from Neil Armstrong Middle School, as its Rotary Youth Citizens of the Month.

Aguirre was honored by the club at its meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 11, while Aguilar was honored at the club’s meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 25. Both received a certificate and a $50 gift card to Frye’s Action Athletics.

Aguilar, a senior at Forest Grove High School, is the daughter of Cruz Reyes Gomez. She was cited in the nomination for the award as someone who builds goodwill and positivity, works hard and is a role model for other students by her positive actions. She is involved with the school’s Latinos In Action club and is a bilingual peer tutor in geometry and at a local elementary school.

“Not only does Andrea carry herself with pride, but she also encourages others to be their best,” the nomination form said. “It has been a pleasure to teach Andrea to have her support in my class. I couldn’t reach as many students without her help.”

Aguirre, an eighth grader at Neil Armstrong Middle School, is the daughter of Itzia Mendoza and Martin Aguirre. In school, she is involved with the leadership and orchestra programs. Outside of Neil Armstrong, Aguirre is involved with Ballet Folklorico, FC Portland soccer academy and volunteers at a local elementary school. She was singled out her for positivity, initiative, perseverance, flexibility, collaboration and empathy.

“Emilia has been a stellar and exceptional member of the Neil Armstrong community,” the nomination form said. “She has been a consistent source of job and positivity in our school climate. Emilia is constantly going above and beyond expectations, always seeking the strongest paths for her personal growth.”

A long-standing program with the Rotary Club of Forest Grove, the Youth Citizen of the Month program was restarted in 2023 after a three-year COVID-19 hiatus. The program recognizes local eighth-graders and high school seniors who possess high standards of personal behavior and good citizenship, exemplify the ideals of Rotary, follow school rules and have excellent behavioral records.

The Rotary Youth Citizen of the Month is rotated between the area’s three local school districts: Forest Grove, Banks & Gaston.

ABOUT THE ROTARY CLUB OF FOREST GROVE: Established in 1924, the Rotary Club of Forest Grove is one of the oldest and largest Rotary clubs in the Portland metropolitan area.  Serving the communities of Forest Grove, Banks, Cornelius and Gaston, the Rotary Club of Forest Grove is a dynamic group of civic-minded business and community leaders, linked by Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self.” The Rotary Club of Forest Grove is dedicated to helping make our local communities a better place to live through the funding of local organizations, especially those focusing on youth, and through service in local projects. Membership in the Rotary Club of Forest Grove is open to anyone who wishes to make a difference in their community, and the world, through service. To learn more, visit FGRotary.org.