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Haley Gibson, a senior at Banks High School, and Josie Kimmel, an eighth-grader at Banks Middle School, have been selected as the Rotary Club of Forest Grove’s Youth Citizens of the Month for May 2020.

Nominated by teachers and administrators in the Banks School District, both students were recognized during the club’s virtual meeting on May 20. Both students received a certificate and a $50 gift certificate to Frye’s Action Athletics.

Banks High School principal Jacob Pence spoke on behalf of Gibson, who was unable to attend the meeting due to a work commitment. One of the school’s 2020 valedictorians, Pence described Gibson as a well-rounded student that also stands out as a three-sport athlete in volleyball, basketball and softball.

An outstanding artist, Gibson is the first-ever Banks student to complete the Advanced Placement Art class. She is being mentored by a number of local artists and volunteered to do a lot of painting to beautify the high school as a service project. She will be attending the Art Institute of Chicago in the fall.

“Haley is an outstanding student who is driven to accomplish success” is how Gibson was described in her nomination. “She is an accomplished artist and shares her skills to make the world around her a better place. She works hard in the classroom and has been able to balance the commitments of school, work, sports and social life. We are proud of Hailey and know she will go on to accomplish great things.”

Kimmel was described by Banks Middle School principal Darla Waite-Larkin as the quintessential hard work. “Our teachers smiled instantly when asked to say something about Josie,” she said. “She always pushes herself. She doesn’t take the easy way out and is always taking on other challenges. If we ever need anything done, Josie is our go-to person.”

A member of the National Junior Honor Society, Kimmel also conducted a canned food drive at the middle school not long before the COVID-19 shutdown. That drive has been critical in assisting the local food bank.

A long-standing program with the Rotary Club of Forest Grove, the Youth Citizen of the Month 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 and Gaston.