Student citizenship shines through Rory Awards

Each year, students at Indian Trail School in Highland Park take a break from their schoolwork and put pen to paper, or brush to canvas, to express their feelings about the responsibilities of being a good citizen. From the look and sound of their written and artistic interpretations, they are already quite familiar with the ingredients of noble character.

It is the school’s “CARE” program that nurtures their giving spirit, and it is The Rory Award that encourages their creations. Since 1999, The Rory Award has complemented “CARE,” which provides students with support and activities that ensure that they feel valued and respected. Together, they continue to celebrate Rory’s memory. Thus future generations of Indian Trail students can find inspiration in the caring nature and ready willingness to help that Rory demonstrated in his young life.

“Each year we choose a different pillar of character to build our school theme around,” said Indian Trail Principal Alison Gordon. “This school year focuses directly on citizenship with the theme, ‘One School, One Community, One World.’” As part of The Rory Award, students submit their expressions on this theme in May. Two extraordinary selections are then chosen and the winners are announced at the school’s year-end assembly.

All the students have the opportunity to submit their impressive work. The school then selects the Rory Award recipients. In 2005, Jordyn Cohen, a first-grader, earned honors for her artistic expression of good citizenship and Marlee Learner, a fourth-grader, wrote the winning essay. This past year, 2006, fifth-grader, Jori Horberg, wrote the winning essay, and second-grader, Stella Gerson created the winning art piece. Congratulations go to all participants as the school looks forward to more exceptional expressions in May of 2007.

“This is something the students really look forward to every year,” said Barry Bakal, the initiator and sponsor of the Rory Award and close friend of the Deutsch family. “We continue to be amazed by the strength and creativity of their work, and the way in which their expressions honor Rory’s memory.”