From Adversity to Achievement: Rotary Club Recognize Senior Role Models

ZANESVILLE, Ohio–Every year, the Zanesville Noon Rotary Club recognizes local high school seniors who have persevered through adversity.

Students from various schools across the area are nominated by faculty and staff—not for grades or athletics, but for their resilience. The Phoenix Award honors those who’ve maintained a positive mindset through life’s challenges.

“It is the 28th Phoenix Awards for Rotary, it was founded under the idea of celebrating students who have achieved over obstacles, who have overcome some hard things, and we just wanted to celebrate their achievements and acknowledge the fact that they’re role models,” Zanesville Noon Rotary Club Secretary Shala Zemba said.

The event brought together students, family members, educators and community leaders to share inspiring stories of strength and perseverance.

My middle sister took care of me a lot,” explained Makenna Staker a senior at Philo High School. “My dad was always sick and we just lost our family farm not too long ago so it was really hard to start high school and deal with that and we’re dealing with some more medical issues, so it’s a little weird ending my senior year with that. It’s nothing I haven’t faced before and I know I have a lot of people supporting me.”

Bishop Rosecrans Award Recipient Kinslie McVicker added, “I’ve grown up my whole life with a very ill father, he’s been in and out of the hospital my whole life. He’s had two liver transplants, he actually just got his second one about a month ago and I’ve kind of helped take care of my sisters and no one really knows because I try to keep it pretty personal but to be recognized with that and everyone understands what I go through means a lot.”

Each student received not only a plaque, but a spotlight in their community. Billboards will go up near each recipient’s school, featuring their name and a photo, a lasting reminder of their resilience and impact. The $1,000 award is for the student to use as they please, some students are using it to further their education while others are using it to cover housing cost.

Award Recipients

Kinslie McVicker- Bishop Rosecrans

Dyna Watiker- Mid East Career Center

Delainey Vaughn- West Muskingum High School

Angelie Martinez- John Glenn High School

Aleythia Miller- Tri-valley High School

Vince Coleman- Zanesville High School

Makenna Staker- Philo High School

Arion Yost- Maysville High School