Grace Lucas (far left) and Jillian Vidito (fourth from left) poses with their families, Rotary Youth Committee Chair Doug Thompson and Club President Amy Tracewell at a club meeting on Feb. 28, 2024.

FOREST GROVE, Ore. – Senior Grace Lucas and eighth-grader Jillian Vidito of Gaston Jr./Sr. High School have been honored as the Rotary Club of Forest Grove’s Youth Citizens of the Month.

Lucas and Vitido were recognized for the award at a club meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 15. For being selected as Youth Citizens of the Month, both received a certificate and a $50 gift certificate to Frye’s Action Athletics.

Lucas, the child of Will & Erin Lucas, was singled out as the type of student that is responsible, kind and involved in many extracurricular activities. Her activities include playing on the Greyhounds’ girls’ basketball team, associated student body and leadership.

“Grace is a wonderful addition to Gaston Jr./Sr. High School,” said school counselor Emily Dias in the nomination for Lucas. “She is a kind and responsible student and she challenges herself with advanced-level classes. We are lucky to have Grace.”

Vidito, the child of Garrett Vidito and Amanda Fiocchi, was identified in the nomination as a person who is kind, an excellent friend and a responsible student. Vidito is involved in the school’s Drama Club.

“Jillian is a very mature and responsible student. She is always kind to staff and goes out of her way to build relationships with the adults at school,” Dias said. “She is a wonderful friend and is often the glue of her group. Jillian also has a large presence within her family, knowing how to split her time between friends, family and school in a way that she is successful all-around.”

A long-standing program with the Rotary Club of Forest Grove, the Youth Citizen of the Month program was restarted in 2023 after a three-year COVID-19 hiatus. The program recognizes local eighth-graders and high school seniors who possess high standards of personal behavior and good citizenship, exemplify the ideals of Rotary, follow school rules and have excellent behavioral records.

The Rotary Youth Citizen of the Month is rotated between the area’s three local school districts: Forest Grove, Banks & Gaston.

ABOUT THE ROTARY CLUB OF FOREST GROVE: Established in 1924, the Rotary Club of Forest Grove is one of the oldest and largest Rotary clubs in the Portland metropolitan area.  Serving the communities of Forest Grove, Banks, Cornelius and Gaston, the Rotary Club of Forest Grove is a dynamic group of civic-minded business and community leaders, linked by Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self.” The Rotary Club of Forest Grove is dedicated to helping make our local communities a better place to live through the funding of local organizations, especially those focusing on youth, and through service in local projects. Membership in the Rotary Club of Forest Grove is open to anyone who wishes to make a difference in their community, and the world, through service. To learn more, visit FGRotary.org.