GREENSBORO, Ga. — The Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties is pleased to announce the following Students-of-the-Month for November 2024: John Van de Planque(Gatewood), Karla Tirado-Guillermo (Greene County High School), Irem Erturk (LOA), Addie Shuman (NGA), and Morgan Howell (Putnam County High School), and Rodricus (RJ) Monford (October Student-of-the-Month from Greene County High School).

John Van de Planque is a senior at Gatewood High School. Hw is the son of Michael and Laura Van de Planque. An active high school senior, he is a varsity athlete in cross-country, wrestling, track and soccer, where he received Most Improved awards in track and soccer. His community service spans with membership in the Anchor Club, Young Life, and Boy Scouts, where after 11 years in Scouting, he attained the rank of Eagle Scout in May, and built a Little Free Food Pantry for the Eatonton location of Oconee Valley Healthcare for his Eagle Scout project. He participates in Gatewood’s Student Ambassador program, serves on the Junior Board of the Farmers and Merchants Bank, and recently graduated from the Eatonton Youth Leadership Council program. Following high school, he aspires to attend Auburn University and major in mechanical engineering. Marty Phillips, his cross-country coach since middle school, is his chosen Gatewood High School Teacher-of-the-Month.

Karla P. Tirado-Guillermo is a senior at Greene County High School, where she excels academically as an honor roll student enrolled in Dual Enrollment, honors, and AP classes. She is actively involved in several clubs, including Beta Club and DECA. She is the founder and president of the Hispanic Leadership Club, an organization she started to support and connect with others in her community. In addition to these leadership roles, she serves as yearbook editor for the Greene County High School yearbook. She has been the girls’ soccer team captain for the past two years. Outside of school, she enjoys creating art through drawing and often works in the office of Al’s Roofing. After graduation, she plans to attend Georgia State University to obtain a bachelor of arts in psychology, and eventually pursue a master’s degree in counseling in order to fulfill her goal of becoming a therapist. She selected Kim Fleming as her Teacher-of-the-Month.

Rodricus (RJ) Monford, Jr. is a senior at Greene County High School and is the son of Rodricus and Aimee Monford. He was the Student-of-the-Month for October. He maintains a 3.4 GPA while serving as captain of the football team, where he was selected as State 1^st Team-All Region. His involvement extends beyond athletics, being a progressive student leader, with active participation in FFA, DECA, Youth Leadership Greene and as vice president of FCA. A talented multi-sport athlete, he also competes in baseball, basketball, where he obtained an honorable mention for 1st team All-Region, and track, where he has been a state finalist in discus and shot put, and also holds the current record for Greene County High School’s furthest discus throw at 154.7 feet. In addition to his sports achievements, he holds leadership roles as a Youth City Councilman for the City of Greensboro, a member of the Superintendent Student Advisory Board, a member of Young Life Youth Ministry, and an Atlas Ministries Early Leader. He is also a dedicated leader in the youth ministry at Historic Springfield Baptist Church and an academic honor student. After graduation, he plans to attend a Division 1 football program and pursue a degree in business administration, with dreams of one day owning his own business. Ashley Harris-Wright is his chosen Greene County High School teacher of the month.

Irem Erturk is a senior at Lake Oconee Academy and the daughter of Alper and Didem Erturk. She serves as the secretary of the National Art Honor Society, helping to organize events that promote creativity and support fellow student artists. She is also the senior class secretary for the Student Government Association, where she works to improve engagement among her peers and strengthen the school community. Additionally, she is an active member of the Beta Club, National History Day Club, National Honor Society and Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society. She represents her community through volunteering for After-School Art, mentoring elementary students in creative projects, her role on the Farmers and Merchants Bank Junior Board, and working as a studio assistant at Southern Spice Dance Academy. In her free time, she enjoys reading, painting and spending time with friends and family. Inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s legacy as a style icon and a humanitarian, Irem strives to make a meaningful impact creatively and compassionately. After high school, Irem plans to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology and pursue a degree in computational media, blending her talents in art and technology to innovate and inspire. She chose Caroline St. John as her Teacher-of-the-Month.

Senior Addie Shuman, the daughter of Jeff and Sara Shuman of Madison, has been a dedicated student at Nathanael Greene Academy for the past three years. Throughout her time at NGA, she has shown commitment to both academic and extracurricular activities. She participated in NGA cheer for one year and has been an active member of Beta Club for two years, currently serving as club secretary. After graduation, she plans to attend Oconee Fall Line Technical College and pursue a career in sonography. Andrea Finch is her chosen Teacher-of-the-Month.

Morgan Howell is a senior at Putnam County High School. Her parents are Monique Lawson and Pragit Howell. As a very extroverted and energetic student, she is a member of the Theatre Performing Arts and takes part in JROTC. She enjoys drawing, acting, and going to unfamiliar places to meet new people. Morgan also likes to volunteer with community service for JROTC and help parking during football games. Morgan selected Rakeena Griffin as her teacher of the month. Ms. Griffin is a person that Morgan respects the most. She respects her the most because of her ability to communicate with people and makes people feel okay with asking questions about anything.

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