Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary recently honored outstanding middle school students at its fourth annual Good Character Awards ceremony, recognizing young people who consistently demonstrate kindness, truthfulness, fairness, and service to others.

    Students were selected for their sustained acts of integrity and leadership by teachers and administrators from Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School (Alice Upson, Kayla Koray, and Teddy Carroll), Orinda Intermediate School (Alina Ngo-Olson, Robby Redding, and Saiona Braman-Pleasants), and Stanley Middle School (Sophie Powell, Aaron Alvarado, and Kai Sviatocha-Lim).

    The ceremony, held at the Campolindo High School Library, was attended by families, school leaders, and civic officials, including Aida Glimme, Superintendent of the Orinda Union School District; Julie Parks, Superintendent of the Moraga School District; Carl Anduri, Mayor of the City of Lafayette; Kerry Hillis, Mayor of the Town of Moraga; and Brandyn Iverson, Mayor of the City of Orinda. Dave Kemnitz, President of Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary, and Bob Marino, Youth Services Chair, presented the awards.

    Keynote speaker Bhavana Kasalanati, co-president of Campolindo’s Interact Club, encouraged students to continue their leadership journey. “You are all leaders in your own right,” she said. “There is a place for you to continue your passion for service and to grow as a leader.”
    Rotary Past President Alex Arnold underscored the enduring importance of character. “These aren’t just words we put on a certificate,” he said. “They’re the habits that shape a life and lift a community.”

    A highlight of the evening was the unveiling of Peace Through Art, a Rotary-sponsored initiative developed in partnership with local middle school art programs. Students painted wooden pickets during their art classes, each expressing a personal interpretation of peace, empathy and community. The artwork will be installed at locations throughout Lamorinda.

    For more information, visit www.lamorindasunrise.org.