ARLINGTON — The Rotary Club of Arlington recently recognized its Outstanding Students for the Month of November.
The students honored by this recognition are awarded vouchers for $50 each, as donations to nonprofit groups at their school or in their community.
Arlington Rotarian and School District Superintendent Dr. Kris McDuffy presented recognition certificates to Hanna Novy, an 8th-grade student from Post Middle School, and Alfred Mugho, a sophomore at Darrington High School.
Novy has been described by her principal, Voni Walker, as well as her teachers and peers, as exhibiting attributes necessary for good leadership. According to those who nominated her, she is responsible, hardworking and represents what is best about young people today.
Novy practices good citizenship and critical thinking skills, and is a good listener who leads by example, empowering her peers by providing encouragement, and asking good questions that make them think. She allows others to see positives that she exemplifies, which make them want to follow her.
Novy is also quietly tenacious. If something does not come easily to her, she works to improve on it, rather than giving up.
Novy was deemed a natural for this award, and is making a donation to World Vision Organization, specifically to support the Philippines.
Mugho moved to America from Mombasa, Kenya, Africa, where he lived with his parents, and attended the Aga Khan Academy of Mombasa, until halfway through 8th grade. His parents sent him to Darrington, to live with his aunt and uncle, so he could be integrated into the U.S. educational system.
Mugho started school in Darrington in the second semester of 8th grade, and he’s admitted that it was scary being new to the continent and only knowing two people. By contrast, he now reports that he is happy and stable in America, and is working hard to achieve his full potential and become the best that he can be.
Mugho is the president of his 10th-grade class, maintains a GPA of 3.973, plays on the Darrington Loggers football team as the kicker and is excited that they made it to the playoffs. He’s currently enjoying wrestling, and plans to join the National Honor Society.
Mugho is always reaching out to do good things, and is actively involved with community service at the Good Tidings Assembly Church in Darrington. Those who know him describe him as passionate about art, especially drawing cars, and his artwork was showcased last year.
Mugho loves music and playing soccer, and talks with his parents regularly, visiting them during the summer. His goals are to attend an Ivy League college, obtain a master’s degree in automotive engineering and design, with a possible associate’s degree in renewable energy, to help the world’s energy crisis.
Mugho’s career goal is to become a vehicle designer and engineer, or a propulsion engineer and designer at NASA or Boeing. He has many dreams and goals, and plans to work hard and persevere.
Mugho decided to award his $50 donation to the Darrington Food Bank.
