Dave Howie and Janeene Hart present the Jeff Hart Service Above Self Scholarship to Sofie Reich.
Chloe Migut and Sophie Reich unveil the new Rotary theme for 2023-2024.
Chloe Migut and Sophie Reich unveil the new Rotary theme for 2023-2024.The Club heard from Chloe Migut (in green dress), a rising junior in the International Baccalaureate program at Allen J Nease High School and incoming President of the Interact Club. She had great success as the Vice President last year, working with her fellow officers to organize approximately 50 different service opportunities for Nease students. Outside of Interact Club, Chloe captains the Nease Mock Trial Team, also serves as the President of the Nocatee Youth in Government Chapter, writes for her school newspaper - The Vertical - as the executive creative director, and was recently inducted into the National Honor Society of Journalism. She has also found time to serve as a messenger in the Florida House of Representatives, completed 6 credits in Florida Politics & Government and Community Leadership at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, while interning at the St. Johns County Courthouse each summer. Chloe just recently attended the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, a 3-session summit from February through May, which she spoke of at length. The food packing event at the new Beachside High School, a Zoom led video conference, and attending District meetings to hear speakers at Ketterlinus Elementary.
We also heard from Sophie Reich (in navy dress), to whom Dave Howie and Janeene Hart presented the Jeff Hart Service Above Self Scholarship. In her words, "I absolutely love being Jewish. But life as a Jewish teenager isn’t always the easiest thing, especially growing up in areas without many Jewish peers. I love to meet other Jewish teens, explore opportunities to make connections and help others. In 9th grade, I decided I wanted to share my love for being Jewish and motivate other Jewish teens to join me in my journey of exploration into our shared culture and traditions. My local temple in Hunterdon County, NJ had a thriving Cteen youth group.
I began to attend all the events, talk to my rabbis, and learn how I could get more and more involved. I looked forward to attending every time there was an event. The summer before 10th grade, my rabbis talked to me about taking an online course through Yeshiva University. The course was an introduction to Judaism, where I gained a deeper appreciation of my culture, Jewish history, and the reasons behind our traditions. On top of that, I had the opportunity to earn college credits. My rabbis then asked me if I wanted to be vice president of the youth group. I was so honored and excited. I organized community service events, helped run a free weekly tutoring program, and enjoyed the various club events and activities.
When I moved to Florida, the summer before my junior year, I was worried I wouldn’t find another place like I had in New Jersey; a place where I met new people, was challenged to become a leader and learned time management, organization, communication, and leadership skills. Thankfully, I found the Cteen of St. Johns County club in my new home. I had the privilege of being asked to be president in my junior year and now again as a senior.
I experienced the best of both worlds as a virtual advisor for the Hunterdon County group, where I have maintained an active presence, and as an engaged and committed president here. Through Cteen, I had the opportunity to become a Mitzvah Ambassador Leader and collaborate with rabbis internationally to foster Judaism and attract high school students around the world to explore and value their religious roots. Cteen has taught me the skills of responsibility, problem solving, and motivating others. I will continue to use them for the rest of my life. I love being able to inspire and convince others to explore their background to find new meaning in Judaism.
Not only do I have a passion for helping others outside of school, I always love to help others at my school. For example, I am the president of Best Buddies. I have tried to impact others and help them become the best possible versions of themselves, but Best Buddies has also impacted me. The Best Buddies club has taught me how to be compassionate in a different way, taught me social justice, and definitely increased my respect for those with disabilities.
Another example of how I have invested my time in others is through my lifelong passion for dancing. When I was living in New Jersey, I was on a competitive dance team and it was a huge part of my life. I was able to compete and be part of the dance team, but also volunteer my time and help others find my same passion. As a teacher’s assistant for the 3, 4, 5, and 6-year-olds, I loved being a mentor and having a leadership role. I mentored the younger students not only by dancing, but showing them how to work together, be a good teammate, and support and encourage others. I also demonstrated and taught the younger students to comfort and motivate when others fail and how to celebrate individual and team success. I learned, as a team, you are constantly working with others, so understanding the importance of positive interactions and supporting one another is just as essential as the dance techniques and routines we love.
This summer, I plan to earn money for college while working with children as a nanny. In the fall, I will be attending The University of Alabama, where I plan to join their active Jewish student organization. I love having people who I can count on and relate to in different ways and cannot wait to build new positive and supportive relationships with my fellow students. Throughout college, I plan to continue to invest my time through community service. After college, my ultimate goal is to become a pediatric ER physician and serve my community both through my career and personal involvement."
I began to attend all the events, talk to my rabbis, and learn how I could get more and more involved. I looked forward to attending every time there was an event. The summer before 10th grade, my rabbis talked to me about taking an online course through Yeshiva University. The course was an introduction to Judaism, where I gained a deeper appreciation of my culture, Jewish history, and the reasons behind our traditions. On top of that, I had the opportunity to earn college credits. My rabbis then asked me if I wanted to be vice president of the youth group. I was so honored and excited. I organized community service events, helped run a free weekly tutoring program, and enjoyed the various club events and activities.
When I moved to Florida, the summer before my junior year, I was worried I wouldn’t find another place like I had in New Jersey; a place where I met new people, was challenged to become a leader and learned time management, organization, communication, and leadership skills. Thankfully, I found the Cteen of St. Johns County club in my new home. I had the privilege of being asked to be president in my junior year and now again as a senior.
I experienced the best of both worlds as a virtual advisor for the Hunterdon County group, where I have maintained an active presence, and as an engaged and committed president here. Through Cteen, I had the opportunity to become a Mitzvah Ambassador Leader and collaborate with rabbis internationally to foster Judaism and attract high school students around the world to explore and value their religious roots. Cteen has taught me the skills of responsibility, problem solving, and motivating others. I will continue to use them for the rest of my life. I love being able to inspire and convince others to explore their background to find new meaning in Judaism.
Not only do I have a passion for helping others outside of school, I always love to help others at my school. For example, I am the president of Best Buddies. I have tried to impact others and help them become the best possible versions of themselves, but Best Buddies has also impacted me. The Best Buddies club has taught me how to be compassionate in a different way, taught me social justice, and definitely increased my respect for those with disabilities.
Another example of how I have invested my time in others is through my lifelong passion for dancing. When I was living in New Jersey, I was on a competitive dance team and it was a huge part of my life. I was able to compete and be part of the dance team, but also volunteer my time and help others find my same passion. As a teacher’s assistant for the 3, 4, 5, and 6-year-olds, I loved being a mentor and having a leadership role. I mentored the younger students not only by dancing, but showing them how to work together, be a good teammate, and support and encourage others. I also demonstrated and taught the younger students to comfort and motivate when others fail and how to celebrate individual and team success. I learned, as a team, you are constantly working with others, so understanding the importance of positive interactions and supporting one another is just as essential as the dance techniques and routines we love.
This summer, I plan to earn money for college while working with children as a nanny. In the fall, I will be attending The University of Alabama, where I plan to join their active Jewish student organization. I love having people who I can count on and relate to in different ways and cannot wait to build new positive and supportive relationships with my fellow students. Throughout college, I plan to continue to invest my time through community service. After college, my ultimate goal is to become a pediatric ER physician and serve my community both through my career and personal involvement."