Local Bristow student and District 3e recipient recognized
Presented by Lions Clubs International in Oak Brook, Illinois by Dr. Jung-Yul Choi, International President, and locally by the Oklahoma State District Governor, Dollie Wooddell, awards Bristow High Student, Abby Bell, with the states’ top student award.
The “Leo of the Year” award is available to any current Leo Club member who is in good standing, meets membership age requirements, has all the required endorsements, and is not a previous recipient of the award. Each multiple district or single district (not a sub-district of a multiple district) may nominate one Leo annually.
Leos considered for this prestigious award must have:
Demonstrated outstanding leadership skills.
Achieved a superior record as a Leo in implementing successful service projects.
Made an identifiable contribution to the development and growth of the Leo Club Program.
Achieved distinction in community or school activities outside of Leo club commitments; and
Demonstrated high ethical standards and personal integrity.
District Governor Dollie Wooddell, in Bristow for the presented the award to the current Chapter President Trey Abraham, and former Chapter President Excell La Fayette, Jr., in the absence of Bristow High Schooler Abby Bell.
District Governor Wooddell stated, for the second year in a row, it has been an honor to present this award to an outstanding student in her district and to acknowledge the achievements of students in Northeast Oklahoma. We look forward to seeing greater things come from the Bristow area in the Leos and the Lions Club.
Abby Bell stated, the Leo Club has been an amazing experience to develop my leadership abilities and continue to be an active member of my Bristow community. I am absolutely honored to receive this Leo of the Year award. This award means a lot to me, because I am so proud to be a part of a group of people in my hometown who support, love, and encourage others to always do their best. I am thankful to have the opportunity to represent the Bristow Leos, Bristow High School, and the city of Bristow, Oklahoma.
Abby has been accepted and enrolled in Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, in the fall of 2021, where she will major in Agriculture Communications.
Zaria Wittman was the 2020 Leo of the Year award winner. Zaria has been enrolled since the fall of 2020, and still attending the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma, majoring in business management.
Brenda Lee Shaull, Leo Club Advisor, who has been the advisor since 2017 stated, despite this past year’s COVID-19 pandemic and students attending school virtually, it shows that the Bristow students still need opportunities and want to be involved in the community. They need the encouragement to get involved and learn about the different opportunities. These past four years, the Bristow Leos have created and participated in a number of projects: created the Chili Cookoff and pizza fundraisers; participated in the homecoming and Christmas parade, where they created a float; served with the Bristow Social Services in meal prep for distribution to their clients; Bristow’s Downtown Beautification Project, and Pumpkins in the Park Race. These children want to be involved in meaningful projects.
2020 put a hold on these engagements, however, the students look forward to getting back involved in their activities starting this fall. Shaull stated, with these initiatives, the High school Leos membership grew from 15 members during 2017-2018 to 67 members in 2019-2020 year. Bristow had the largest chapter in the state and second largest in the country.
Trey Abraham, Bristow Noon Lion’s Club President stated, we are excited for Abby and Zaria with these Leo of The Year Awards. It shows their commitment to the organization and the love for their school and community. Abby and Zaria both, have been a real encouragement to other students, to be involved and make a difference in their school and community. Abby has inspired her fellow classmates to achieve despite our current envi ronment and follow their dreams.
The Lions Clubs International wants to wish our students many more healthy and happy years of continued personal commitment to service through diversity. For more information about Lions Clubs International, visit www.LionsClubs.org, then follow the Bristow Noon Lions Club on Facebook at https://m.facebook.com/BristowLionsClub/.