Eleven Aurora area high school students have received Aurora Rotary Club’s 2020 Ted Brattin Youth Service Awards.
Gretchen Timm, Rotary Club of Aurora president, said “These annual awards recognize Fox Valley area students, 14 to 19 years of age, who have exhibited qualities of citizenship, service, and leadership through activities in school, church, or community.”
Each award winner received $100 and a certificate from Rotary. Recipients are:
• Aurora: Sebastian Martinez, Aurora Central Catholic High School; Nicholas Coffman, Marmion Academy; Elijah Darden, Neuqua Valley High School; Lydia Oker, Rosary High School; Charline Rivera, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy; and Jesus M. Aguirre III, East Aurora High School;
• Mooseheart: Ellen Darkoa-Ampem, Mooseheart School;
• Naperville: Elizabeth South, Naperville North High School;
• Oswego: Joshua Lovell, Oswego High School; Mason Hodge – Oswego East High School;
• Yorkville: Jenna Demas, Yorkville High School.
Brattin Awards are traditionally presented at the annual Pearl Harbor Day memorial luncheon co-sponsored by Rotary, Aurora University, and Aurora Council 247, Navy League of the United States. Due to the pandemic, this year’s luncheon was canceled.
The Award is named for the late Ted Brattin, a former Aurora businessman, World War II Marine pilot, and Aurora Rotary Club charter president.
Brattin helped found the Aurora Navy League Council and Aurora-Naperville Rotary Club.
—Al Benson