MLK luncheon to honor 8 area students

CEDAR RAPIDS - Since the Rotary's motto is 'Service Above Self,” the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. luncheon honoring area student volunteers is a natural fit.

'We have a passion for it,” said Karl Cassell, president of the Cedar Rapids Downtown Rotary and president and chief executive of Horizons, A Family Service Alliance in Cedar Rapids.

The luncheon will held from noon to 1:15 p.m. Monday at the DoubleTree by Hilton in downtown Cedar Rapids. Even through the deadlines has passed for meal reservations, Cassell anticipates having room for some walk-ins. Cost is $12 to $17 at the door.

The service club readily agreed to take over the program this year after United Way officials decided to step down from its leadership role. Under the Downtown Rotary's guidance, the program has been reorganized and scaled back from recognizing about 20 middle- and high school students to honoring eight seniors from Cedar Rapids area schools.

'We really don't think our seniors get enough recognition,” Cassell said. 'On the other side, when we think of Dr. King's goal about service and equity and volunteerism - service to mankind - what better way ...

to recognize those seniors and pair that together with Dr. King.”

Area high school principals were invited to nominate a senior who exemplifies King's teachings and the Rotary values. Downtown Rotary will donate $100 to each student's chosen local non-profit organization.

Keynote speaker is Cassell's brother, Paul Coty, regional director of Young Life NYC.

A Cedar Rapids native, Coty earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Northern Iowa. He has spent the past two decades mentoring and empowering youths, first in Baltimore and now in New York, where he oversees 32 staff members ministering to teenagers in the city's five boroughs. An expert in multicultural and urban youth ministry and strategic planning, his speech is entitled, 'Who Will You Thank for Future Success?”

The high school principals also recognize the following:

Service Above Self award winners

' SaCora Fisher, Marion: In addition to leading and being involved in several student activities like Student Council and National Honor Society, she volunteers at St. Luke's Hospital and church.

' Malon Hodges, C.R. Washington: He is a scholarship winner for the National Council on Youth Leadership, received the President's Award for Educational Excellence, is vice president of his school's student senate and is a National Honor Society member.

' Katherine Neumeyer, Xavier: She is a member of Key Club and a leader of her Senior Service Project with Meth-Wick senior citizens. She is involved with the National Council of Youth Leadership and is a student member of the St. Elizabeth Seton Parish Board.

' Linden Runels, Kennedy: In addition to participating in school activities like National Honor Society, National Science Honor Society and National Council on Youth Leadership, she volunteers at Waypoint and the Community Free Health Clinic.

' Sruthi Palaniappan, Linn-Mar: One of two students picked to help represent the United States at the United Nations, she also has completed more than 400 volunteers hours at St. Luke's Hospital. She is a student leader for the Diversity Focus Youth Leadership Program and organized suicide prevention week at Linn-Mar.

' Constance Schlitter, Prairie: She is involved in National Honor Society, has received academic honors and is involved in many school activities. She also volunteers at the American Legion Auxiliary and Jefferson Monroe Fire Department.

' Mariah Thompson, Jefferson: In addition to being involved in activities at school, she also volunteers with Special Olympics and volunteers daily with youths with disabilities. She is active in recycling, cleanup and tutoring.

' Brennen Wright, Metro: He is a volunteer in youth leadership programs throughout Metro High and participated in and was a student presenter at the 2015 Iowa Law Day.