Jackson Hole Rotary lunch club announces November monthly award winners

 

 

 

The Jackson Hole Rotary Lunch Club presented its monthly awards Tuesday, recognizing outstanding high school students from Jackson Hole High School, Summit High School and Jackson Hole Community School.

 

Jackson Hole High School senior Abby Brazil has earned multiple state championships as a member of the soccer and track teams, but Principal Scott Crisp said her scholastic achievements are far more impressive.

 

“She could not have taken a more rigorous course load, including seven advanced placement classes and five engineering classes, passing them all with straight A’s,” Crisp said. “A lot of opportunity will come her way.”

 

Summit High School senior Eddie Aranda-Castillo has come a long way in his four years at the Teton County School District alternative high school.

 

“I don’t think I’ve seen anyone undergo as much amazing growth, both personal and physical, as Eddie,” said Clint Traver, Summit High School student services coordinator.

 

Aranda-Castillo is known for his outgoing, gregarious personality, baking skills (he often brings his doughnuts to school and hands them out to those who he thinks needs a little boost) and academically as “that guy you don’t notice until he just lights it up,” said Traver.

 

The student of the semester at Jackson Hole Community School is senior Ryan Hutton, who according to Head of School Amy Fulwyler, “Truly makes a difference in the lives of everyone at Community School.”

 

Hutton was lauded for his kind, generous attitude and an ability to see issues from multiple perspectives. Teachers said he was “authentically curious,” “shows humility,” and “thinks deeply and reads like a hawk.”

 

In addition to being a standout academic, Hutton is a dedicated kayaker and climber. As a kayaker, Hutton competed at a world class level for his age group, with climbing becoming more and more of a go-to distraction from his rigorous studies.

 

“Climbing has consumed my bank account and my time lately,” Hutton said in his acceptance speech. “It’s important to find something that makes you happy to keep from getting bogged down.”

 

In addition to recognizing Outstanding Students every month, the Rotary Club of Jackson Hole awards tens of thousands of dollars every year in scholarships to graduating high school students, and makes grants to teachers and educational non-profits like Teton Literacy Center. 

 

For more information please contact Kim Billimoria at kbillimoria@silverstar.net, or 307.201.5101.

 

 

Photo: (L-R) Eddie Aranda-Castillo, Abby Brazil, Ryan Hutton