The Bethel Park Rotary Club’s November Student of the Month is Bethel Park High School senior
Kiersten Elkins. She was recently recognized at a small luncheon at
The Garden Restaurant [4912 Gardenville, Road, Pittsburgh, PA, 15236].
Elkins serves as the presidential adviser for the Student Government Association (SGA). She also serves on the leadership team for the Principal’s Advisory Council of Students (PACS), was the chairperson for the Homecoming Committee, and is a Bethette squad leader.
An outstanding student, Elkins is a member of the National Honor Society and the Class of ’23 Ways and Means Committee. She also plays clarinet in the concert band.
As a member of PACS, the IUP-bound Elkins has been heavily involved in several key changes this year, including the recently revamped student parking and student drop-off procedure, which allows cars dropping off students to drive into the circle before school.
Under the former procedures, all cars entering the campus from Broad Street were forced into the student parking lot as they entered the property. That, says Elkins, caused a lot of frustration amongst her classmates. “We worked with the administration and the school police to consider some alternatives, and together, we came up with a plan that has eased congestion and made the parking lot much safer for everyone,” she said.
Elkins says that her desire to make a difference inspired her to participate in many activities. “I recognized early on that there were many areas in which we could improve the student experience, and I wanted to be part of that change and the voice of the students to the administration,” she said.
Outside of her school responsibilities, Elkins has volunteered to read to elementary school students, has helped serve the Veteran’s Day breakfasts, and has served food at the Senior Citizen’s Holiday luncheon.
Elkins is the oldest of four children and the daughter of
David and
Rachel Elkins.
Students are nominated for Bethel Park Rotary Student of the Month by administrators, teachers, students or community members. They are chosen based on academics, as well as scholastic, extracurricular, and civic honors and awards, and organization membership and leadership.
At a monthly luncheon, honorees receive a certificate acknowledging their contribution to their community. For more information on Rotary and its mission, please ask any Rotarians about it or visit
bethelparkrotary.org. You can also visit their
Facebook page.