By Charlie Boss | Courtesy of the Westerville City School District —
The Rotary Club of Westerville recognized its May 2025 Students of the Month during its May 8 luncheon meeting at The Medallion Club.
Throughout the school year, from October through May, the Club honors four students from each local high school. Working with the school principals and counselors, one student each month is chosen from Westerville Central, Westerville North, Westerville South and St. Francis DeSales high schools. The students, their parents, and the school administrators are introduced and honored at a Rotary Club luncheon each month.
May 2025 Honoree Profiles
Westerville Central: Jamal Jeffries’ favorite subject is Spanish. The senior is involved in the Spanish Club, National Honor Society and Boy Scouts of America. He also volunteers with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He has received several student of the month awards and won a Omega Psi Phi Essay Contest. He plans to attend Bowling Green State University.
“I am a hardworking student and always do my best. I always want to help others if possible, and I take my learning experiences very seriously. Over the years, I have devoted many hours of service by volunteering at the Westerville Public Library, with my father’s fraternity, Omega Psi Phi, as a counselor in training for Westerville Parks and Recreation Kids’ Fun Club, and at my school. I like volunteering because it’s a great feeling to be thanked with smiles after assisting someone with a task that would have taken more time to do solo. Volunteering also gives me the opportunity to meet and connect with new and diverse people. I have been chosen as the Student of The Month two times and I was inducted in the National Honor Society because of my outstanding Academics, Character, Leadership, and Citizenship.”
Westerville North: Jonathan (JonJon) Stevens’ favorite subjects are math and science. The senior is involved in football, lacrosse, track and National Honor Society. He is also a class officer and serves as a peer mentor. Among his honors and accolades: Prom king, Archie Griffin sportsmanship award, First team All Conference, Second team All District, honorable mention All State for football and MVP for the WNHS football team. He plans to attend Northwestern University to play football and study health science and real estate.
Westerville South: Derek Deichert’s favorite subjects are math and engineering. The junior is a wrestling captain, class officer and a Hope Squad student leader. He is part of the National Honor Society as well as his church leadership team. He is a Cats with Class recipient and a six-time scholar athlete. He also received the Ryan Brandt award from the WSHS wrestling team for his dedication, determination, sportsmanship and teamwork. He plans to study mechanical engineering in college.
St. Francis DeSales: Kate Hast is an honor roll student who plays basketball, soccer, and runs track. She’s involved in Special Olympics where she helps train athletes. She enjoys math and graphic design. Kate hopes to attend either University of Cincinnati or Ohio University.
CAPTION (ABOVE PHOTO) FROM LEFT: Rotary Club Student of the Month Chairwoman Carol Faulkner, May 2025 Students of the Month Kate Hast of DeSales, Jonathan (JonJon) Stevens of Westerville North, Jamal Jeffries of Westerville Central and Derek Deichert of Westerville South, and 2024-25 Rotary Club of Westerville President Brandy Deichert.
The Rotary Club of Westerville
Founded in 1959, the Rotary Club of Westerville is a service club of business professionals and leaders working to improve our community and larger world. We are part of Rotary International. Find out more at WestervilleRotary.com. Contact the Club and learn how to join at www.www.westervillerotary.com/contact-form. Read more about the Rotary International organization at Rotary.org.
Interested in joining?
The Rotary Club of Westerville is accepting applications for new membership.
The best way to pursue membership is to contact an existing Club member, and attend one of our lunches or events as her or his guest. Members of the public also are welcome to attend our events on their own, to see what our service club is all about. If possible, please give notice of your intent to attend a luncheon or social by emailing WestervilleRotaryEvents@gmail.com.
We hope to see you soon!