Rotary members recognize Renton School District high school students each month as Youth of the Month. This month there are five students selected for recognition and May concludes the Renton Rotary Youth of the Month program for the 2018-19 school year.
After being selected by counselors at each of the district’s three comprehensive high schools, a selection committee of Rotary members review applications and interview students to identify those who will be selected as Youth of the Month.
The award is given to students who possess leadership abilities, maintain a good grade point average, participate in school activities and volunteer in their community. May Rotary Youth of the Month are:
Leslie Ortiz
Senior at Hazen High School
Leslie holds a 2.9 G.P.A.; she has been involved in Latino Club, Gordy Guides, Travel Club, ASB Office, Hazen Flags Committee, Soccer and Softball; she has received Hazen Unity Award, and Most Inspirational in Soccer and Softball.
Leslie volunteers at St. Louise Parish where she teaches younger students.
She plans to attend a four-year university to study Education and Counseling so she can become either a teacher or counselor.
Joseph Tsang
Senior at Hazen High School
Joseph holds a 3.8 G.P.A.; he has been involved in Asian Student Coalition, New Generation, Key Club, Orchestra, Swim, Tennis and Track; he has passed Advanced Theory Piano with Distinction and Level 5 Piano Distinction with Honors.
Joseph volunteers at Union Gospel Mission and with his church.
He plans to attend a four-year college to earn a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree and hopes to work in the computer science and business field.
Duc Nguyen
Senior at Lindbergh High School
Duc holds a 3.6 G.P.A.; he has been involved in International Club, Key Club, FBLA and Debate Team and he has received and Outstanding Student Award in French.
Outside of school he has been an active member of the Vietnamese Martyr Parish and Alexandre de Rhodes Vietnamese Immersion School and he volunteers at various community events through Key Club.
Duc plans to attend the University of Washington to major in biology and linguistics as he hopes to become a document translator and interpreter.
Kerry Diaz Neri
Senior at Renton High School
Kerry holds a 3.5 G.P.A.; she has been involved in Golf and Bowling teams and has received Honor Roll and Excellence Awards, Henry Moses Award, Matter of the Heart, and State qualification in Bowling.
Kerry works part-time at Paddy-Coynes in Bellevue, and volunteers with the City of Renton, Salvation Army, King County Library System and more.
After high school, Kerry plans to attend a university or college to study computer science and one day become a software developer.
Ariana King
Senior at Renton High School
Ariana holds a 3.9 G.P.A.; she has been involved in Green Team, Renton Peer Mentors, Social Justice Club, Swim Team, Track and Field and Gymnastics and has received Outstanding Mentor Awards, Department Awards, Varsity Sports Letters, Excellence Award, and Student of the Month.
Ariana works part-time at The Container Store and volunteers at Kubota Gardens, Summer Search and The Salvation Army.
She plans to attend a university where she’ll pursue a degree in public health and possibly epidemiology. She hopes to research and study the spread of disease and become more knowledgeable about human health.
