Rotary International District 6040 (Kansas City and northern Missouri) has selected the winner of its inaugural district Youth Peacebuilder Award.
Amy Montalbano, a senior at Park Hill South High school and Parkville resident, was selected by a district committee to receive the award, which includes a $2500 scholarship.
Selection committee chair Steven Youngblood, district 6040 peacebuilding ambassador, said Montalbano’s application was “beyond outstanding. Her commitment to peace and building bridges of understanding is impressive for anyone, let alone someone just coming out of high school.”
Montalbano’s volunteering includes extensive work at Harvester’s, through HOSA-Future Health Professionals, and as an active Girl Scout. The committee was also impressed with her initiatives as president of her school’s Young Republicans, including efforts to reach out to and collaborate with the school’s Young Democrats on a Veteran’s Day program.
In her recommendation letter, Park Hill South teacher Brad Peck notes, “When I take a step back and look at all the things that she is involved in, and that she excels in, I wonder how she fits it all into a 24-hour day. She exemplifies all the character traits and academic excellence that an institute of higher education is looking for in prospective students.”
The Youth Peacebuilder Award is given to a student who is engaged in peacebuilding locally, nationally, or globally in activities that assist the disadvantaged and marginalized; build bridges between groups; and prevent or mitigate conflict.
The Youth Peacebuilder Award will be presented to Amy Montalbano at an upcoming meeting of the Parkville Rotary Club by Rotary District 6040 President Marc Horner. Because of the Covid-19 shutdowns, the date of the award presentation is still to be determined. Montalbano plans to attend Michigan State University in the fall, where she will major in supply chain management.