Davy
Jones
Rotary Youth Citizenship
Award
Rotary is about service, but it is also about leadership and
citizenship. In the early 1960's, the club decided that it should be doing
something to recognize and promote good citizenship among the youth of Jersey
City. An award was established to be presented to one graduating boy and
one graduating girl in each of the twenty-eight public schools in Jersey
City. Each year, the faculty and administration of each school is asked to
select the two students who have best exemplified the ideals of citizenship in
their daily interactions with the youth and adults in their school.
Past President Dave (Davy) Jones (1928-29) was selected as the one Rotarian
in the history of the club who stood out from the rest in the area of service to
youth. The award was therefore named in his memory.
Each year in June, members of the club attend the graduation ceremonies at
each public grammar school in Jersey City and personally present to the
designated students a special certificate recognizing that student for their
outstanding citizenship in the school and the community. In recent years,
each award winner has also been presented with a savings bond to help provide
for their future educstion.
Many of our members look forward to performing this service each year, and
some, especially those who graduated from the school they visit, have even
been called upon to be the commencement speaker. In some cases this has
been a totally unexpected task due to the cancellation of the scheduled speaker.
Many of the recipients of this award have gone on to become valued leaders of
the Jersey City community. The late Jersey City Mayor Glenn D. Cunningham
(2002-2005) was a recipient, and was known to keep the certificate in
a frame on his office wall.
Copyright
2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 Rotary Club of Jersey City