The Highland Rotary Club held its annual “Service Above Self” award ceremony on Friday, June 2 at Casa Milanese, honoring individuals, businesses and a student who have made significant contributions to the community. This prestigious award, which started in 2004, recognizes those who embody the spirit of giving back and helping others, in memory of the Highland Rotary Club founder, John Jankowicz.

The ceremony began with the presentation of the award to Jessica Rendon, a Highland High School student and president of the Interact Club, a school-based branch of the Rotary Club. Jessica’s dedication to community service, both within the school and beyond, impressed the Rotary members. Despite being a junior, she has already volunteered at numerous events and regularly collaborates with the Rotary Club to support fundraisers. Jessica expressed her gratitude, stating, “Receiving the ‘Service Above Self’ award is an honor, and it motivates me to continue working hard and inspiring others to give back.”

The second award was bestowed upon Fred and Sharon Wilklow, owners of Wilklow Orchards. Their farm has been a steadfast supporter of various Highland and New Paltz events, providing apples, donuts and cider. Their generosity has been evident at gatherings like Halloween In The Hamlet and Light Up The Hamlet, making a positive impact on the community. Grateful for the recognition, Sharon commented, “We are incredibly thankful to the Rotary Club for this award. It was a pleasant surprise, and we truly appreciate the nomination.”

Shamrock Wine & Liquor, owned by Shyam and Kristin Patel, received the third award. This business has consistently supported local events by making donations, offering gift cards and sponsoring community initiatives. Their recent contribution of gift baskets to the Rotary’s Super 25 raffle exemplified their dedication to giving back. Shyam expressed his gratitude, stating, “I want to thank the Highland Rotary Club for this award. Highland has shown us tremendous support, and we couldn’t have achieved this without the community.”

Shawn Clark, owner of Brick House Resellers, was the recipient of the fourth award. His store offers a space for people of all ages to enjoy playing with Legos. Clark has been a generous donor to Rotary golf outings and Super 25 raffles. He emphasized the importance of his family’s support in his endeavors, saying, “This award is an individual honor, but everything I’ve done has been with the help of my wife and our three daughters. Together, we strive to make a positive impact in the community.”

The final award of the evening was presented to John Manganiello, affectionately known as Mr. Mango, a beloved history teacher at Highland High School. Mr. Manganiello’s exceptional rapport with students, his involvement in various student fundraisers and his commitment to fostering a supportive learning environment made him a deserving recipient. During his recovery from cancer, he organized a baseball tournament to raise funds for the Dyson Center for Cancer Care at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. In his heartfelt acceptance speech, Manganiello thanked the Rotary Club and his colleagues, while congratulating his fellow award recipients.

The “Service Above Self” awards highlight the outstanding contributions made by individuals, businesses and students in the Highland community. The Highland Rotary Club remains committed to recognizing and honoring those who embody the spirit of selflessness and inspire others to make a difference.