The Rotary Club Of Mansfield is excited to celebrate extraordinary bravery and resilience among local high school students at the upcoming 57th annual McGowan Courage Awards.
Established in 1968 by the Rotary Club of Mansfield, this award honors students who have faced life’s adversities with remarkable courage, tenacity and fortitude.
The club’s mission is to provide service to others, promote integrity and advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through their fellowship of business, professional and community leaders.
OhioHealth Business Development Manager and member of the McGowan Courage Award Committee Jennifer Alt was excited to become a part of the Rotary Club of Mansfield.
“I knew I wanted to be involved with the Rotary because I really resonate with its motto, Service Above Self,” she said.
In addition to the McGowan Courage Awards, the Rotary Club of Mansfield is actively involved in various community initiatives, including: tree planting to support Alta Greenhouse’s anniversary, roadside clean-up projects, the STRIVE student program and hosting student groups at weekly meetings to foster camaraderie among local schools.
There is an emphasis on the importance of fostering understanding and building friendships within the community for the Rotary Club. This is partly achieved through the students, their families, the school administrators and those in attendance of the McGowan Courage Awards Luncheon.
“The McGowan Courage Awards allow students to share their stories and promote understanding for the club and our community of the often overwhelming obstacles that some students face in their personal lives while attending school,” Rotary Club of Mansfield President D.J. Daniels said.
This award is named after past Commander of the Mansfield Salvation Army Post and long-time member of Rotary Brigadier Bill McGowan.
Most high schools in Richland County nominate one senior who meets the criteria for this award. Either the school or the student themselves will write their story about how they have faced adversity. The organizing committee will share each story with the rest of the Rotary Club to become familiar with the nominees. The applicants are awarded $1,100 at the annual luncheon.
“Every chance we have at District Rotary functions, we talk about the awards, the students and their stories,” Daniels said. “I am always humbled by what the students have overcome and leave feeling inspired to do more.”
The McGowan Courage Awards have become a symbol of recognition for over 200 youths who have demonstrated exceptional courage in the face of hardship. This year, the Rotary Club will honor 10 outstanding students.
“They are so deserving and I hope they know how much they inspire us – the committee, the Rotary Club of Mansfield, their respective schools and their communities,” Alt said.
This year’s McGowan Courage Awards luncheon will be on May 7 at the Kingwood Center ballroom. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. with the program to follow at 11:45.
To learn more about the Rotary Club of Mansfield and the McGowan Courage Awards, visit their website.
