Grant Rathje Selected October Seward Youth Rotarian of the Month

By Kolterman, Clark on October 05, 2011

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The Seward Rotary Club honored SHS senior, Grant Rathje of Seward.  He is the son of Tom and Kristi Rathje of Seward.  He was recognized and honored as one of the outstanding seniors at Seward High at the recent, noon luncheon meeting of the Seward Rotary Club on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at the Jones National Bank and Trust Auditorium in Seward.  Grant was introduced, presented various Rotary mementos and printed information on the Seward Rotary Club and their International projects, along with a book scholarship sponsored by Greg and Dixie Zabka and Dr. Ron and Annette Wallman.  Grant is now also considered a finalist for the annual “Service Above Self” Scholarship awarded in May by the Seward Rotary Club.

Grant is a very involved young man, attending Lincoln Lutheran High for two years and finishing his last two high school years at Seward High.  He has been involved in a variety of activities, especially in the area of sports-as he participated in high school football for three years, has been part of the basketball program for all four years of his high school career and involved in track for two years.  He was named Academic All Conference honors for 2010 and 2011.

He is also very involved in the area of Fine Arts-participating in the SHS Select Choir for four years, SHS Swing Choir for two years, was the lead in Oklahoma last year at SHS, participated in the Summer Chamber Choir at Concordia University, selected for All-State Choir and received Superior ratings at District Music in vocal presentations.  He plans to be very involved with the SHS Speech team this year as well!

He is a two year member of SHS Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), a member of SHS FFA for two years and involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) for four years.  He participated in the UNL Breakfast of Champions.

In the community, we also see Grant very active in both his church and through 4-H.  He is a long time member of the St. John Lutheran Church Praise Team, a member of the Senior Godparent program at St. John Lutheran Church and also served on the Praise team at Holy Savior Lutheran Church in Lincoln.

Grant is an active leader in his local 4-H Club, the Middle Creek Mavericks, currently serving as the club’s President.  He won the Senior Beef Showmanship award at the Seward County Fair this year and has earned a variety of honors in many of the area, regional and national livestock exhibitions and shows.  He participated in the Simmental Junior Nationals, winning awards in showmanship, with his cattle and in the other competitions of the event. 

He has been employed by Oetting Detassling of Seward and Windy Ridge Simmental Farms.

The Seward Rotary’s international motto is “Service Above Self” and  the club does give one “Service Above Self” scholarship to one SHS student that has demonstrated exemplary service to others.  Grant’s “Service Above Self” requirement for this award is working with the young members of his 4-H Club and with the younger members in the National Semimetal Association.  He assists and guides them based on his own experiences in showmanship and leadership.  Through his 4-H Club he has also served others with a variety of service projects to the great Seward area.

Grant plans to attend a four year college, however he has not decided where he plans to attend.  He is considering a career in medicine and is planning to be involved in a Pre-Med/Pre-Health program or possibly an Ag Business career. 

The Seward Rotary Youth of the Month is awarded monthly to a senior student attending Seward High School by the Seward Rotary Club.  Applications are available in the SHS Counselor’s office and students only need to apply once.  Awards will be presented through May.  The Seward Youth Rotarians will be introduced at Honors Night at SHS and each youth Rotarian will be given a Book Scholarship donated by members of the Seward Rotary Club.  One Seward Youth Rotarian will be announced Youth Rotarian of the Year and receive the annual Seward Rotary Club “Service Above Self” award.