The Rotary Club of Forest Grove’s October 2026 Youth Citizens of the Month are, from left to right, Evelyn Torres Ayala, Claudia Ramos Garcia and Juliet Clark. Photo by Blake Timm.

By John Schrag
“Service above self” is the principal motto followed by Rotarians worldwide and on Wednesday, Oct. 28, the Rotary Club of Forest Grove honored three local students who share that core philosophy of unselfish volunteerism.

Evelyn Torres Ayala, Claudia Ramos Garcia and Juliet “Jules” Clark attend different schools but have some common characteristics that have been noticed by their teachers and classmates. Those qualities were shared with club members as the trio was honored as Rotary Youth Citizens of the Month.

Torres Ayala attends Tuality Plains High School in Forest Grove, where she’s known for pitching in when someone needs help.

“When it came time to celebrate a school graduation event, Torres Ayala stepped forward and baked treats to help make the celebration special,” said English and social studies teacher Diana Rodriquez.  “She showed that success is not just about personal achievement, but also about contributing to the success of the people around us.”

Rodriquez told club members that Evelyn “understands that character matters,” describing her as a student who models dignity and respect in her daily conduct.

“Evelyn knows that leadership begins with how we treat people and that respect is something we show through our actions every day,” said Rodriguez. “Today we celebrate a student who is not only working toward graduation but also is a responsible community member a potential entrepreneur and a compassionate leader.”

Torres Ayala was quick to acknowledge those who helped her along the way. “Thank you to all the teachers and family members who have supported me all these years,” she said. 

Ramos Garcia fills a lot of roles at Forest Grove High School according to principal Brian Burke. He said she’s excelling academically despite a “rigorous course load” that includes some higher-level Spanish literature classes at Pacific University. But, he said, she’s also “extremely service oriented,” finding many ways to make an impact outside the classroom.She began volunteering at the school’s food pantry her freshman year, Burke said, and has become “a mainstay, serving as our greeter for families accessing the pantry.”

Ramos Garcia is also student body president, the student school board liaison and president of the school’s National Honor Society.

“She is kind, respectful, and works hard to make our school and community a better place,” Burke said. “We are extremely proud of her contributions to our school and community over the past three years and we are excited to see what lies ahead for her after her senior year,” he said. “We’re going to miss her because she’s going to be hard to replace.”Ramos Garcia said she was proud to be chosen for the honor and had a lot of people to thank. “I wouldn’t have been able to do it alone,” she said.

Clark is an “exemplary student and an exemplary citizen,” according to her teachers at Neil Armstrong Middle School.

“She has built strong relationships with peers and adults at NAMS because she is trustworthy, honest, respectful, kind, and compassionate in all her actions,” said counselor Kelsey Kaul. “This goes beyond the classroom and into all environments of the school, including the volleyball and track team, where she supports her teammates and pushes herself to achieve her best.”

Clark was recently awarded Student of the Month at NAMS by teachers who noted her collaboration, responsibility, and “inclusive facilitation” with other students.

“She’s also the one student in the cafeteria who always gives me her full attention and thanks me after every announcement I make,” Kaul said, “even if it’s silly, because there is no moment of her day where she isn’t spreading positivity.”Kaul said Clark sets a great example in leadership for other NAMS students “who we hope absorb some of the positive virtues that seem to always guide her.”

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 award 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.