Rotary Club Honors September 2023 Students-of-the-Month

Published 11:17 am Thursday, November 2, 2023

GREENSBORO, Ga. — The Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties is pleased to announce the following Students-of-the-Month for September 2023: Carly Cannon (Gatewood Schools), Ian Gutierrez (Greene County High School), Keerti Ahluwalia (Lake Oconee Academy), Marisa Williams (Nathanael Greene Academy), and Samantha Spisak(Putnam County High School).

Carly Cannon is a senior at Gatewood High School and is the daughter of Scott and Jan Cannon. She has been involved in many activities during her time at Gatewood. She is a member of the Varsity Basketball, Competition Cheer, Track, and Soccer Teams. She is also a part of Gatewood’s Student Ambassador Program, Anchor Club, Literary One Act Play, and more. She works part-time at the Suds Club Car Wash and volunteers at Putnam County’s LifeSource Food Distribution. She shows leadership through her roles as the vice president of her class and the captain of the varsity basketball team. She has won multiple academic awards, including Scholastic Leader, HOBY Youth Leadership nominee, and the UGA Certificate of Merit. She enjoys being a part of her community through the Farmers and Merchant Bank Junior Board, and she likes spending her free time hanging out with friends, going to Young Life, and playing basketball.

After high school, she plans to attend college and major in biology in hopes of attending medical school. She has chosen Beth Moss as her Rotary teacher because of the impact her caring and fun personality has made on her life. She was in one of Mrs. Moss’s first classes at Gatewood and has enjoyed having her as a teacher all the way to her senior year!

Ian Gutierrez is a student at Greene County High School. His parents are Carlos Gutierrez and Monica Palomo. He also serves his community by being an ambassador of a youth group at his local church. Ian participates in the Academic Bowl and seeks to challenge himself by taking Dual Enrollment and AP classes. He enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and working out. Ian considers his caring nature and empathy towards others to be his most important attribute. LeBron James is someone he respects a lot. This is due to his ability to be a good role model and giving back to his city. After high school, he hopes to attend the University of Georgia and pursue a degree in computer science. He sees himself working for a major company, like Google, in 10 years. Greg Simmons is his chosen Greene County High School teacher of the month.

Keerti Ahluwalia is a senior at Lake Oconee Academy and the daughter of Tony and Mona Ahluwalia. She is the president of her school’s Senior Beta Club, student body president, and an integral member of her school’s varsity soccer team. She also dedicates her time to volunteering at her school, but also at community events, namely Second Harvest. She has a deep interest in biology and is pursuing a career in the medical field. She strives to be the first doctor to graduate from Lake Oconee Academy. She has chosen Kris Stevens as her teacher of the month.

Marisa Williams is a senior at Nathanael Green Academy. Her parents are Chris and Danielle Williams. She has been at the head of the school list throughout her entire academic career. She is a member of the Beta Club and Yearbook committee. She participates in One Act, literary, cheerand tennis. She enjoys reading, her job at Starbucks, and spending time with her friends and family. She considers her determination and positivity to be her most important attributes. She sees her parents as her main inspiration and motivators. After high school, she plans to continue her education at the University of North Georgia. Mrs. Marisa selected Jane Morgan as her teacher of the month.

Samantha Spisak is a senior at Putnam County High School. Her parent is Ashley Spisak. She is a varsity softball player, as well as a member of the book club, Kiwanis Club, Anchor Club, Farmers and Merchant Bank Junior Board, and golf team. She enjoys reading, spending time with her family and friends, and playing with her cat. She considers her most positive trait her love and compassion for all people. Mark Adams is a counselor she respects the most. She respects him for his acceptance of all people and his problem-solving abilities. After high school, she plans to attend Wesleyan College and major in biology as well as be a member of their softball team. She sees herself as a prominent genetic engineer in 10 years. Mark Adams is her chosen Putnam County High School teacher of the month.

The Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties wishes to congratulate these outstanding students and teachers!