The first Youth Citizens of the Month of the 2025-26 academic year for Banks and Gaston school districts were honored at the club’s meeting on January 7. Clockwise from top left: Elizabeth Huntington, Kamilah Robles, Kiera Worst and Lucas Getzendaner. Photos by Blake Timm.

Making up for lost time after a busy fall in our community, the Rotary Club of Forest Grove recently honored its Youth Citizens of the Month for November and December at its first meeting of 2026.

Elizabeth Huntington, a senior at Banks High School, and Kamilah Robles, an eighth-grader at Banks Middle School, were recognized as the club’s November Youth Citizens of the Month.

Senior Lucas Getzendaner and eighth-grader Keira Worst from Gaston Jr./Sr. High School were recognized as the December Youth Citizens of the Month.

All four youth, along with their families, were honored at the club’s meeting on January 7. All four honorees received a certificate and a $50 gift card from Frye’s Action Athletics.

Huntington was recently named as a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist based on scores in national standardized tests. On track to be one of Banks’ valedictorians this spring, she has earned over a 4.0 GPA and has taken all of the honors and advanced placement courses that the school has to offer. She is involved in the school’s choir and robotics team, volunteers as a peer tutor, and is an officer in the Banks chapter of National Honor Society.

“Elizabeth is an absolute delight and an excellent example of an outstanding student,” said Banks High School Principal Jacob Pence. “She always strives to do her best in every endeavor that she attempts. We are very proud of her and her achievements, and we know that she will go on to do many great things after her time at BHS.”

Robles is a three-sport athlete, competing in cross country, wrestling and track and field, and is a member of the school’s yearbook staff. Outside of school, she is involved in her church’s youth group. School staff describe Robles as someone who always has a smile on her face and always approaches challenges with a mindset of “I’ll figure it out.”

“Kamilah is an exceptional eighth-grade student whose positive attitude, determination and leadership truly stand out,” said Banks Middle School Principal Caitlin Everett. She is hard-working, dependable and consistently shows determination to succeed. She is known for being friendly, inclusive, polite and a joy to have in class.”

Getzendaner was singled out by Gaston school staff as an outstanding scholar who demonstrates a strong work ethic and a passion for learning. He serves as a positive role model through his leadership, humility, and dedication to doing what is right. Well-liked by his peers, Getzendaner was named as king during Gaston’s homecoming last fall.

“Lucas consistently treats others with dignity and has a quiet leadership style that draws people in rather than seeking attention,” school officials said in his nomination. “He represents his school with pride and exemplifies the values that Rotary seeks to honor: service, respect and responsibility.”

Worst is involved with the volleyball program at Gaston Middle School and is also part of the school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes huddle. She was recognized for her academic success and as a person who takes pride in her learning and challenges herself academically.

“Kiera is an outstanding student whose positive attitude, work ethic and character set her apart,” Worst’s nomination said. “She approaches every task with determination and a strong desire to do her best, no matter the challenge. Her involvement in school activities reflects her commitment not only to personal success, but to supporting and encouraging others as well.”

A long-standing service outreach of the Rotary Club of Forest Grove, the Youth Citizen of the Month 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.