The Rotary Club of Jacksonville recently recognized Rudy McCulloch as the recipient of the Rotary Vocational Student of the Month Award for January. Kelly Pool, President of the Rotary Club, presented the award at the club’s February 6 meeting.

Reg Ankrom, Chair of the Rotary Vocational Committee, said, “Society often sends a quiet message, especially to young people, that vocational paths are somehow less important. That message is not only wrong; it is dangerous. Our initiative focuses on students, because students deserve and need encouragement and affirmation. When we recognize students pursuing vocational paths, we are telling them ‘you are an important part of the future and we need you.’”

Bill Gibson, Jacksonville High School (JHS) Cooperative Vocational Education Coordinator, and Niki Steckel, JHS Drafting/Engineering Teacher, also spoke during the presentation. They spoke about why McCulloch was selected as an outstanding student. McCulloch is a senior at JHS, and is interested in pursuing a career in architectural studies and design. He plans to attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign next year. His parents are the late Brett McCulloch, and January and Michael Woods.

Ankrom said this Rotary Vocational Student of the Month designation will be awarded to students at other high schools through the spring.

More information about this topic can be obtained by contacting Ankrom at 217-779-2595.