The Rock Island Rotary Club held their 50th Annual Awards Luncheon today at the Quad City Botanical Center. Keynote speaker for the event was Andy McCray, Chief Meteorologist for WHBT-TV. Mr. McCray spoke of the critical role respect, kindness, friendliness, and always looking forward should play in our daily routines. He praised student achievements and congratulated community leaders who were honored as part of today’s program.
The top two senior scholars at Augustana College, Jalane Tsague, and Lauren Anderson received Rotary Scholar Awards. Ms. Tsague is an International student from Cameroon, Africa. Her family in Cameroon were able to view the award presentation via Rotary’s Zoom coverage of the luncheon. She is an Accounting Major and plans to pursue a Master of Accounting degree and become a CPA. Ms. Anderson from Port Byron, Illinois is a Speech Pathology major and plans to enroll in Augustana’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program and serve as a graduate assistant. The top two senior scholars at Alleman Catholic High School receiving Rotary Scholar Awards were Kate Mehochko and Daniel Healy. In addition to being a top scholar, Mehochko was a member of the Girls Basketball Team, the ACES Team and the ICTM Math Team. Daniel is in theater, Alleman Pep Band, and on the ICTM Math Team. Senior scholars Jackson Bennett and Asa Mahn received Rotary Scholar Awards as Rock Island High School’s top two scholars. Bennett is a 3-year varsity baseball player, bowling team member, chamber orchestra member, and E-Sport team member. Mahn is a state qualifier in cross-country and captain of Rocky’s team. He is a member of Teens for Tomorrow and active in youth programming at St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Daryl Empen was presented Rotary’s award for Outstanding Community Service. Mr. Empen is a past president of the board of directors of the Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation and past Chairman of the Rock Island Preservation Commission. He serves on the Boards of Directors of NEST Café, Friendship Manor, the Rock Island Parks & Recreation Foundation, and the Illowa Council of Boy Scouts of America. He is a long-time member and Treasurer of the Rock Island Kiwanis Club. Daryl served as Cubmaster for Pack 250 from 2010 to 2015, and as Scoutmaster for Troop 258 since 2017. He was presented with the Saukenuk Award of Merit in 2019 and the National Eagle Scout Association’s Outstanding Eagle Scout Award in 2021.
Jim, Bill, and Greg Hass (representing his deceased father John Hass) received Rotary’s Professional Excellence Award for 2024. Jim, Bill and John’s father Arthur owning one horse-drawn implement founded Valley Construction in 1925. He brought his sons into the business and during their 50 years of guiding the company, built Valley Construction into one of the largest and most respected construction firms in the region while maintaining their father’s commitment to honest dealing, exceptional quality work, professionalism, and employee safety. It was noted that Valley has received scores of awards for safety, integrity, and placing a high value on building relationship with those they serve.
Rotary Club member Kathy Trone received the Luckenbill-Wray Service to Rock Island Rotary Award for her work as chair of two major club fundraisers and for chairing the Rotary District effort to combat human trafficking. It was noted that Kathy has traveled all over northern Illinois speaking and disseminating information about trafficking. Ms. Trone is office manager for Wessels PC a longtime Rock Island law firm.
Rotary’s highest award, the A.T. Peara Service Above Self Award was presented to Cindi Gramenz. Ms. Gramenz is Director of Operations for Christian Care in Rock Island. She is nearing completion of two consecutive terms as President of Rock Island Rotary, while at the same time serving as Rotary Assistant District Governor, co-Sergeant at Arms of the Rock Island Club, and has agreed to head up the District Public Relations Committee serving 43 Rotary Clubs in Northern Illinois. The Peara Award is a recognition of dedication and commitment to the principles of Rotary and is considered a lifetime achievement which may only be won once.