Historic Rotary Club recognizes scholars, teacher

The Historic Rotary Club of Charleston recently hosted its annual awards ceremony to recognize four Rotary High School Scholars (seniors) and name the 2012 Teacher of the Year.

The student honorees are selected based on the nominations that spotlight their work in community service, academics, and athletics..

The top teacher is selected based on the commitment to the advancement of education in the community and a clear dedication that is in line with the club’s mission, “Service Above Self.”

Each received $1,000.
Margaret Legerton of Ashley Hall School amoves on to the University of Richmond this fall. She was noted for her work to recycle Ashley Hall dining hall waste on Johns Island to support sustainable agriculture and local produce.

Quinetra Gathers of Burke High School was recognized for her commitment to promoting literacy and starting a book club for young people in Charleston. She will attend Fisk University.

Landon Blakey, was recognized for his service with troubled youths from the Pinelands Group Home. He graduated from First Baptist School and will attend North Carolina State University.

Emma Whittemore of Porter-Gaud School was noted for “always taking care of other people.” Known for her detailed planning in community activities, she moves on to Washington & Lee in the fall.

Teacher of the Year Nancy Dabit highlighted her vision to overcome challenges and become an inspiration against tall odds at Moultrie Middle School.

“Let’s face it,” she said, “I am the product of immigrants, I look different, I have an accent and my family was struggling to survive. I was expected to marry early, and so education was on the back burner. But I was in school in CCSD (Charleston County School District) and one teacher in this system inspired me to ‘want more.’ ”