The January 2026 honorees of the Rotary Club of Forest Grove’s Youth Citizen of the Month program are, from left, Conan Moore of Neil Armstrong Middle School, Marisa Calvillo of Forest Grove High School, and Isabelle Swendig and Rhyli Mason of Tuality Plains High School. Photo by Blake Timm.

By John Schrag

For four students in the Forest Grove School District, 2026 got off to a good start with recognition as the Rotary Club of Forest Grove’s January Youth Citizens of the Month.

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, follow school rules, have excellent behavioral records and exemplify the ideals of Rotary.

The four students honored at the Jan. 28 Rotary club meeting hit all the marks: Conan Moore of Neil Armstrong Middle School, Marisa Calvillo of Forest Grove High School, and Isabelle Swendig and Rhyli Mason of Tuality Plains High School.

Teachers at Neil Armstrong know they can depend on eighth-grader Moore to set a good example for what it means to be ready to learn, according to counselor Susan Lee.

“Conan exemplifies the traits that we hope to see in all our students,” she told club members. “He’s kind, helpful, hardworking, humorous and inquisitive.”

Lee said Moore stands out for reading and writing skills, his analytical thinking and his willingness to help out. “His peers can depend on him to be a good teammate and thought partner,” she said.

Calvillo is making the most of her senior year at Forest Grove High School. Assistant Principal Doug Thompson went through a list of her academic accomplishments, which qualified her for honors from the national College Board. And, in addition to excelling in her studies, she also plays soccer and lacrosse for the Vikings, while holding down a part-time job.

Despite that jammed schedule, Calvillo finds time to help others.

“Marisa has spent the last two summers as one of our best peer student tutors,” Thompson said, volunteering at the summer school math program and staying after school to help students with their math homework.

“This type of selfless attitude and willingness to help others is one of the many traits Marisa exhibits,” he said.

Mason was one of two honorees from Tuality Plains High School. Formerly known as the Community Alternative Learning Center (CALC), the school gives district students multiple options and adaptable pacing to work toward their high school diplomas.

That flexibility was key for Mason, who in addition to keeping up on coursework is caring for her young son.

“Rhyli manages her dual roles with grace,” said Christy Crisman, a teacher at the high school. “She remains accountable for her academic progress and responds wisely to the challenges that arise in her life.”

Crisman told the Rotarians that Mason has earned trust in the school by valuing the rights and opinions of her peers, “modeling the integrity we hope to see in every student.”

“Balancing the demands of school and motherhood, Rhyli shows genuine care for others and a deep-seated kindness that enriches our school community,” Crisman said.

Mason’s classmate, Swendig, also leads by example, according to Crisman.

“Izzy is an exceptional student whose kindness, integrity and leadership makers our school a better place every day,” she said.

An aspiring kindergarten teacher with a knack for writing, Swendig brings the school community together, Crisman said, welcoming her fellow students with warmth.

“She is compassionate, dependable and deeply respectful of others,” Crisman said, “perfectly representing what it means to be a Rotary Student of the Month.”

The Rotary Youth Citizen of the Month is rotated between the area’s three local school districts: Forest Grove, Banks and Gaston. All honorees received a certificate of achievement and a $50 gift card from Frye’s Action Athletics.