The Rotary Club of Westerville recognized its May 2021 Students of the Month during a virtual meeting May 6. Throughout the school year, from October through May, the Club honors four students from local high schools each month. Working with the school principals and counselors, one student each month is chosen from Westerville Central, Westerville North, Westerville South and St. Francis DeSales high schools. The students, their parents, and the school administrators are introduced and honored at the Rotary Club’s first weekly luncheon each month.

May 2021 Honoree Profiles

Westerville Central: Michael Weiler’s favorite subjects are biology, psychology, journalism and history. The senior is the founder of two student groups, Student Voices in Unity and Central Nervous System. He has also served on the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Committee, WCHS’s All 4 One student group. He is a National Honors Society member, has competed in varsity tennis and volunteers for a friendship circle. He is a four-year letterman in tennis and has received an academic letter. He plans to study psychiatry at San Diego State University.

Westerville North: Reuben Simiyu’s favorite subjects are history and math. He has competed in football and track, served as a senior class officer and is a member of the National Honors Society. His awards and recognition include: 1st Team All-OCC (2019, 2020), 2nd Team All-District (2019), 1st Team All-District (2020), Honorable Mention All State (2020), academic letter and AP Scholar Award. He plans to study business administration on a Pre-PT track at Wheeling University, where he will also play football.

Westerville South: Emmanuel Okyere’s favorite subjects are math, art and chemistry. The senior is a section leader for the drumline of South’s marching band and is president of the National Honors Society. He plays on the varsity tennis team and is a member of STEAM club, Key club and Battle of the Books. He has received multiple awards and recognition, including WSHS’s Science Department award, QuestBridge College Prep Scholar, QuestBridge National Merit Finalist and Match recipient, leadership award from the marching band, honor roll (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021) and a Cats with Class recipient. He plans to major in computer science and a minor in philosophy at Bowdoin College. “I believe that education is the best way to move forward in society and access to resources is something I am particularly passionate about. Through my college application journey, I’ve found that the amount of resources for low-income students and/or first-generation students like me are abundant, yet many like me do not know of them and do not achieve their full potential. Because of this, I’m making a website dedicated to cataloging important college readiness and application resources for South and our district at large. The website is not up but will be soon. I hope that this will make students like me succeed in the future.”

St. Francis DeSales: Kevin Heil’s favorite subjects are physics and computer science. The senior has been captain of the tennis team; served as a student leader at the Church of the Resurrection; and is a member of the National Honors Society, Diocesean Youth Council and the Evangelization Team at DeSales. He has received an Air Force ROTC scholarship and has been recognized as an Academic All-Ohio in tennis. He will major in mechanical engineering at the University of Notre Dame. “Thank you for selecting me as student of the month.”

PICTURED (from left): Westerville North’s Reuben Simiyu, St. Francis DeSales’ Kevin Heil, Westerville South’s Emmanuel Okyere and Westerville Central’s Michael Weiler, the Rotary Club of Westerville’s May 2021 Students of the Month.

THANK YOU to the Westerville City School District for its ongoing participation and support for our Students of the Month Program. Read more at westerville.k12.oh.us.

Founded in 1959, the Rotary Club of Westerville is a service club of business professionals and leaders working to improve our community and larger world. We are part of Rotary International. Find out more at WestervilleRotary.com. Contact the Club and learn how to join at westervillerotary.com/contact-form.