Rotary Club honors December 2023 Students of the Month

GREENSBORO, Ga. — The Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties is pleased to announce the following Students-of-the-Month for December 2023: Jayden Daniel (Gatewood), Christian Smith (Greene County High School), Mason Bear (NGA) and Sean Strickland (Putnam County High School). Gatewood November Student-of-the-Month, Taylor Moreno, was also recognized at the meeting.Note: December Student-of-the-Month from Lake Oconee Academy was unavailable and will be recognized at a later date.

Jayden Daniel is a senior at Gatewood Schools. His parents are Rick and Shannon Daniel. Jayden is a member of the National Honor Society. He embodies the remarkable power of dedication and service, having devoted over 565 hours to voluntary community service work. He is the visionary behind 'Baskets of Hope,' a project that has distributed over 1,600 Easter baskets to local youth in foster care across 12 Georgia counties. Notably, Daniel has earned the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal Award, achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, was chosen as Tri-County EMC’s delegate for the Washington Youth Tour, and serves on the Farmers & Merchants Bank Junior Board of Directors. He is on the verge of obtaining his helicopter/rotary license. His leadership extends to the sports arena, where he has co-captained the men's soccer team and contributed to three varsity sports. He was recently named a Heisman High School Scholarship Winner. He is an active member of his school's Anchor Service Club and Young Life. After high school, he plans to attend The School of Aviation at Middle Georgia State University. April Allen is Jayden's chosen Teacher-of-the-Month.

Taylor Moreno isa senior at Gatewood Schools and is the Student-of-the-Month for November 2023. Taylor’s parents are Armando and Candi Moreno. She is an honor roll student, president of the Anchor Club, member of the Farmers & Merchants Bank Junior Board of Directors, and was crowned Homecoming Queen in October. Moreno is on the competition and sideline cheer teams and plays softball and soccer. As the president of Anchor Club, she gives back to the community by helping families in need, providing Christmas gifts for children, and much more. After high school, she plans to attend Georgia College and State University and pursue a career in nursing. Amy Camp, her fifth grade teacher, is her chosen Teacher-of-the-Month.

Christian Smith, asenior at Greene County High School, is the son of Kris Smith. He is currently a drum major for the Invincible Tiger Marching band, a Student Council member, Dual Enrollment student, honor student, AP student, UGA Upward Bound Student, and the first male cheerleader at GCHS. After high school, he plans to attend Morehouse College and pursue a degree in cinema, televisionand emerging media studies. He sees himself as the creative director for Vogue in the next 10 years.Christian chose Renee Evans as his Teacher-of-the-Month.

Mason Garrett Bear is the son of John and Melissa Bear of Woodville. He has attended NGA for 14 years (since K4). He has participated in varsity football for two years, varsity basketball for two years, and varsity baseball for four years. He has been a member of the Beta Club throughout high school and serves as this year’s secretary. He was also elected treasurer of the senior class. He was selected Rotary Student-of-the-Month during his junior year. Mason was recently named Mr. Nathanael Greene Academy. This is the highest honor a senior can receive at NGA. He is a member of Calvary Baptist Church. Mason is participating in the College and Career Academy for welding. He plans to pursue a career in welding after graduation. Patti Dowdy, a kindergarten teacher, is his chosen Nathanael Greene Academy Teacher-of-the-Month.

Sean Strickland is a senior at Putnam County High School. His parents are Justin and Tiffini Strickland. Strickland is an A/B honor roll student involved in many clubs, such as Future Farmers of America (FFA), Beta Club, and the golf team. In FFA, Strickland is an officer and for multiple years now he has been a secretary and a reporter. He has also been selected to be a part of the Farmers & Merchants Bank Junior Board of Directors. He is also involved in the Putnam County Service Leadership Class of 2024. They do many community service projects, such as visiting the Georgia Academy of the Blind and mentoring fourth- and fifth-graders of the Putnam County district. His parents are his biggest inspiration and role models. He appreciates nothing more than the hard work they do daily for him and his future. After high school, he plans to attend the University of Georgia and pursue a degree in environmental health science, then moving forward to attend Augusta University for medical school. He selected Kelly Smith as his Teacher-of-the-Month.

The Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties wishes to congratulate these outstanding students and teachers.