Local service clubs make the most impact when they simply do what their description implies -- they focus on serving the community.
That service can come in many ways, depending on the club.
A great example unfolded last week when the Exchange Club of the Tri-Cities held its annual ACE Awards program, recognizing nominated students from five area high schools who have overcome a significant challenge -- family, financial, mental or physical -- to strive for excellence.
The program name tells us what it means: Accepting the Challenge of Excellence.
I was a past member of this club for 20-plus years and served as its president for one term. That background gives perspective on this important program, as it has grown from a gathering of students, counselors and parents jammed into a room at the Colonial Cafe during a regular club meeting to receive a plaque and a check for college expenses. It was a wonderful gesture, regardless of where or how it occurred.
But last week, we saw how the club had elevated this event over the past six years to what it now calls its "showcase" event, again held at Riverside Banquets in Geneva for a recognition breakfast before the kids and their counselors headed back to school.
Mostly, the club wanted to give the event a clearer measure of importance it felt the students deserved for their efforts.
"The club has discussed in the past that, as our signature event, it had left a little bit to be desired," said club member Mark Payleitner, who serves as the communication liaison with the students' counselors in planning for the event. "Asking the mayors and chamber representatives to attend led to making it nicer. It is also an obvious, if underused, recruiting and sponsorship recognition tool."
This year's ACE Award recipients were Eldar Shugayev and Camryn Mertes of Batavia High School, Kai Marzolf and Isom Cornelius of Geneva High School, Marianna Blanco and Jakira Jones of Mooseheart High School, Oralia Maaz of St. Charles East High School, and Faith Wilson and Olivia Fulfs-Fortney of St. Charles North High School.
The stories counselors told about the students were interesting and uplifting, so one counselor held back tears when speaking about her nominated students.
But things can get a little emotional for anyone in the room when hearing about a student overcoming a wrestling injury that resulted in the loss of half of a leg, another overcoming spina bifida and life in a wheelchair, or others struggling through the foster care system, or overcoming anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.
"We leave the student selection 100 percent up to the school staff, and it is always interesting what they focus on," Payleitner said. "There is often a common theme amongst many of the honorees. Some years it's an abusive home life, other years it is drug challenges, this year there were a lot of physical challenges."
None of this is to say that students who generally make the honor roll at their schools or earn important scholarships have had it all handed to them on a silver platter without challenges.
It's more about how these particular ACE students can sometimes fly under the radar with little or no recognition.
Their stories remind us of how life throws a lot of curveballs. When those come at such a young age and important time in one's life -- as high school ends and the future lies ahead -- it is all the more satisfying and uplifting that these young people were determined not to be derailed from their life's goals and visions.
Payleitner summed it up well in noting the pride it can instill in the club members, families, counselors and students: "I always mention a memorable early ACE breakfast for me when one honoree was quietly talking to a friend and said 'this may be the greatest day in my life.'"
That's a favorable outcome for any service to the community.
