LYNN — The Rotary Club of Lynn continued its tradition of recognizing eighth-grade students from Lynn middle schools for their academic achievements and school citizenship at Old Tyme Italian Cuisine on Thursday.

The eight students who were recognized through the Eighth-Grade Recognition Program have struggled with adversity during the school year or shown empathy toward others in an outstanding way. They were nominated by teachers or guidance counselors who know them well. 

The students were individually presented with a gift certificate to a local bookstore and a certificate of achievement.  

During the individual presentations, a narrative was read by Rotarian Irene Cowdell and Rotary President Jean-Marie Minton enumerating the various situations the students struggled with and how they overcame them. During the program, Raymond Bastarache, a former Rotary president and deputy superintendent of schools, talked about the importance of the program.  

“One can tell how valued this program is to the City of Lynn by the people in attendance,” Bastarache said.

Among those attending Thursday were City Councilors Nicole McClain, Obed Matul, Natasha Megie-Maddrey, and Dianna Chakoutis and Deputy Superintendents Debra Ruggiero and Maricel Goris.

Approximately 30 years ago, the Eighth-Grade Recognition Program was initiated by Rotarian and Lynn businessman Joe Coombs, who always felt that the eighth grade was a turning point in his life. He acknowledged how “lost” he felt during those middle-school years and said that were it not for a compassionate teacher who took him aside and supported him, he doubted he would have been as successful as he was as an adult. 

Coombs’ success was derived from the positive reinforcement and support he received in middle school, he said, and as a result he petitioned his fellow Rotarians to adopt the program. 

River Works Credit Union is the program’s sponsor.

Since its inception, more than 500 students have been recognized by the Lynn Rotary Club through the program.