PEORIA MAGAZINE June 2022

A SHINING EXAMPLE OF EXCELLENCE Top-Notch Students Honored by Rotary Clubs 63rd Sterling Merit Awards C reated to recognize and reward academic excellence, the Sterling Merit Awards program was begun by the

per formance and academi c excellence. It is Rotary’s sincere hope that the connotation of “sterling” – applying equally to these students and their awards – will encourage all too continually strive for quality in their every endeavor. ThebanquetwasheldonMay3, 2022 at the Peoria Civic Center Ballroom. It was attended by all Principals and Superintendents representing each of the respecting schools. The keynote speaker was Dr. Stephen Standifird, President of Bradley University. 186 Students achieved the top 8% of their class in academics and received recognition at the banquet. 555 Students, Parents, Principals, Superintendents and Rotarians attended the banquet.

The Sterling Merit Awards started in 1959 with eight schools: The Academy of Our Lady, East Peoria, Limestone, Manual, Peoria High, Richwoods, Spaulding Institute and Woodruff High School. Local Rotary Clubs current ly honor students from 16 schools. Added to the above original schools are: Peoria Heights High (’72), Dunlap High (’77), Illinois Valley Central High (‘00), Notre Dame High (representing a merging of Spaulding, The Academy of our Lady and Bergan ’88), Peoria Christian High (’93), Princeville High (’06), Illini Bluffs High (’07), Brimfield High, Elmwood High, Farmington High (’08) and Quest Academy (‘16). In honoring the top eight percent of high school graduates who have attained the highest standing in their classes, the Sterling Merit Awards enhances the incentive for scholastic achievement through public recognition Rotary is proud to help build stronger communities by recognizing and rewa rd i ng out s t and i ng

Junior League of Peoria in 1959, and culminated with an annual awards banquet that was held at the Opera House in Peoria’s Exposition Gardens. After the Junior League developed this successful program, they searched for a dedicated organization to take on responsibility for its continuation. The Rotary Club of Peoria proudly accepted the invitation to continue this worthy event in 1968, and the Sterling Merit Banquet remains one of the many worthwhile projects and initiatives of this area’s Rotary Clubs. “Service above Self” is the aim of Rotary and all Rotarians, and there are a number of local participating clubs who jointly sponsor the Sterling Merit Banquet as part of Rotary’s longstanding tradition of community service, especially in the area of education. These include the Rotary Clubs of Peoria, Peoria North, East Peoria, Chillicothe and Farmington.

186 STUDENTS ACHIEVED THE TOP 8% OF THEIR CLASS

92 JUNE 2022 PEORIA MAGAZINE