James Rauhut of A.J. Moore Academy admitted he was starting to get nervous as he and the other four finalists were presented to the audience Monday during the Waco Rotary Club’s 31st annual Youth Citizenship Award luncheon.

Waco Rotary Club Youth Citizenship Award Committee co-chairs K. Paul Holt and Debbie Keel already had recognized 19 other high school seniors, who each represented their McLennan County school, as a buildup to the presentation of the five finalists.

But after Megan Kittner of Bosqueville High, Tina Lin of Midway High School, David Miller of Waco High and Nash Turbeville of Rapoport Academy each had their moment of recognition, Rauhut was revealed as the Outstanding Youth Citizen for 2011.

James Rauhut (left), of A.J. Moore Academy, stands with Tribune-Herald publisher Donnis Baggett on Monday after being named the Waco Rotary Club’s Outstanding Youth Citizen for 2011.
Jose Yau / Waco Tribune-Herald

“I could finally breathe,” Rauhut said after the luncheon. With the honor comes a $4,000 scholarship.

The other four finalists each received $2,000 scholarships. All 24 nominees were presented a glass award with their name inscribed on it by Donnis Baggett, publisher of the Tribune-Herald , which co-sponsors the award with the Waco Rotary Club.

Holt and Keel explained to the audience, which included nominees’ family members and educators from their schools, the lengthy process of choosing an initial top 10 based on an application and recommendation letter.

From there, five finalists were picked, and each had a short interview with a group of judges from the club.

Rauhut, the son of Keith Rauhut and Shawna and Lonnie Sibley, helped resurrect A.J. Moore’s Key Club, which had become inactive.

After he was elected president of the club in 2009, he worked to recruit more members and seek out volunteer opportunities with groups such as Meals on Wheels, Miracle Match Marathon, Cameron Park Zoo, Waco Community Development Corp. and Race for the Cure.

“It’s not that hard to ask people if they want help,” Rauhut said. “They’re quick to say yes.”

From a core group of about eight to 10 upperclassmen, the A.J. Moore Key Club has grown to 35 students who are on track this year to donate more than 1,000 hours of community service, including cleanups at Pecan Bottoms in Cameron Park and tutoring children at the Dewey Community Center after school.

The club has officers-elect in place for next school year to continue those initiatives after Rauhut graduates in June. He plans to enter the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin in pursuit of a business administration degree.

Rauhut said the Rotary’s Interact Club was an influence early in spurring his youth volunteer service. He said he has great appreciation for club sponsor Milton Vasquez at A.J. Moore Academy and Kiwanis Key Club adviser Jeanne Passalugo.

Since the first awards were presented in 1981, with a top scholarship of $350, the Waco Rotary Club has given $146,725 in scholarship funds to 155 recipients, Keel said.

ksury@wacotrib.com

757-5750

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