The Hastings Area Rotary Club sponsors the Rotary Student of the Month. A Hastings High School Senior is nominated by teachers and staff at HHS and The Hastings Rotary Club recognizes Hastings High School seniors who exemplify Rotary’s motto of ‘Service Above Self’, as a way to reward and foster these ideals, and also build mutually rewarding relationships between school administration, staff, students, parents and the Rotary members.

The criteria that staff are to use when selecting a Rotary Student of the Month includes: The student selected should demonstrate some or all of the following attributes: Gets involved in various school or other servicerelated groups Takes a leadership role among their peers Diligently works to ensure success for themselves and others Exemplifies the Rotary fourway test: “Of the things we think, say or do, Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Heaven Herman was selected as the first Student of the Month for the 20222023 School Year by HHS staff members Ms. Kim Hoff, Ms. Kel Oleary, and Ms. Naomi Marietta.

Here is what they had to say: Heaven Herman is a senior who works hard to push herself academically while balancing extracurricular activities and a job. She is someone who has a big heart and truly cares for others. When connecting with others she is first to ask questions and give support. Heaven loves being involved in the school community through choir, student council, show choir, and Link Crew. She has big goals of attending college to become a nurse and has challenged herself by taking numerous honors classes throughout her high school career.

Heaven is a stellar student who makes everyone's day brighter!

Heaven Herman is a bright light at Hastings High School. She is thoughtful, empathetic, and never shies away from a challenge. Heaven is not one to sit still. She is active in our music department and lets her creativity flow in Show Choir. It is no surprise she relishes her role as a Link Leader . . . Heaven will take any opportunity to help others and serving as a mentor to freshmen is a perfect fit. One of her favorite volunteer experiences was working with an organization called Crowning Achievements, a pageant for young adults with disabilities. Heaven lights up as she describes teaching the routines and the pride she felt as they took the stage for their moment to shine.

When Heaven was asked, 'What is your proudest accomplishment in high school?' she mentioned taking AP courses her junior year. Instead of talking about how hard she worked, she expressed gratitude to her teachers for their encouragement and support. The adage 'we rise by lifting others' rings true for Heaven.

Students selected for Rotary Student of the Month get to have breakfast with the Rotary Club at Green Mill. Their parents and the staff that nominated them are invited as guests for breakfast as well, then the student is given 25 minutes to tell their story to the club and get asked questions by the members. They also receive as scholarship check for $250, a Rotary fourway test paper weight and their story published here in the Journal.

At the Rotary meeting, Heaven was very engaging and handled herself well. The Rotary Club genuinely enjoys learning about area youth and making those connections to the kids.

“Normally when I think of people getting awards, they are the top of their class or have the best grades,” said Herman. “I didn’t think that somebody could be chosen by being kind or taking part in their community. A couple of ways that I take part in the community is through Link Crew, I remember on our orientation day, Miss Marietta came in, she gave a little speech about how stories are important to her. Now finding out people's stories are important to her like family, and I've been trying to incorporate that into my life.

For Link Crew, you are given 10 kids, and you're supposed to help guide them through their first year of high school. There are so many different ways you can do it. But I just do my best to be welcoming, honest and real with them. Because there are going to be days in high school where it's going to be hard, and you're not going to want to try. But other than that high school is pretty much the best four years of your life.”

Herman has a passion for music which involves the various choirs at HHS including Dynamic Edition, the school’s show choir. She especially likes the one big happy family feel to the choirs.

When she is not volunteering or singing, Herman works at the new Hastings Fleet Farm where she works on the sales floor. She plans on going to college to become a nurse like her mom, something she decided on back in fourth grade.

Congratulations on being named Rotary Student of the Month for September!