The Rotary Club’s Youth Citizens of the Month from Banks High School were honored at the club’s Oct. 18, 2023 meeting. Left photo (left to right): Club President-Elect Lucas Welliver, Sawyer Peters, Banks Middle School Principal Caitlin Everett and Sawyer’s mother, Mackenzie Peters. Right photo (left to right): Banks High School Principal Jacob Pence, Ireland Wilson, Ireland’s parents, Darci & Brady Wilson; and Welliver.

FOREST GROVE, Ore. (Oct. 19, 2023) – The Rotary Club of Forest Grove is proud to recognize Ireland Wilson of Banks High School and Sawyer Peters of Banks Middle School as its October Youth Citizens of the Month.

Wilson and Peters were recognized at a ceremony during the club’s meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 18. Both received a certificate and a $50 gift card to Frye’s Action Athletics.

Wilson, a senior at Banks High School, is the daughter of Darci & Brady Wilson. She is involved with numerous school activities, including National Honor Society, Robotics Club and the Fabrication & Design Club. She is editor and a photographer for the school yearbook and is a member of the Braves’ soccer and track and field teams.

Outside of school, Wilson is involved with Sunday school at her local church as well as Irish dancing.

“Ireland is one of our most outstanding students at Banks High School,” said Jacob Pence, Banks High School principal. “Not only does she challenge herself in the classroom by taking our most advanced courses, but she also looks for ways to be involved throughout the school and community. She is a very kind person who helps look out for others and has a great sense of humor.”

Peters, an eighth grader at Banks Middle School, is the daughter of MacKenzie & Jim Peters and the granddaughter of Rotarians Janet & Rus Peters. She is involved with the yearbook staff at school and is a leader on her volleyball and softball teams. Peters has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout school while taking challenging courses.

“Sawyer is an exemplary person,” said Megan King, a teacher at Banks Middle School, in Peters’ nomination. “She is kind, considerate and hardworking. She cares about doing work that benefits the greater good. She does this from a place of quiet leadership; she knows that the loudest voice doesn’t always get the job done. She leads by doing. Teachers, coaches, teammates and peers speak highly of Sawyer. Every day she exemplifies the ideals of Rotary: truth, honesty, fairness, goodwill, friendship and working for the good of the community.”

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.