Ian Fiala is First Seward High Youth Rotarian for the Seward Rotary Club for the New School Year
Launch the media gallery 1 playerSeward High Senior, Ian Fiala, of Seward, has been named the first Youth Rotarian of the Year by the Seward Rotary Club at their recent luncheon meeting on Wednesday, August 11 at noon at the Jones Band Auditorium. He is the son of Amber and Dave Fiala of Seward.
Academics are important to Ian and he has always been a member of the SHS Honor Roll, maintaining a GPA of 3.9 and a longtime member and leader of the SHS National Honor Society. He has taken many college level/dual credit classes while at SHS and Micro Soft Word Certified. He has been nominated by many teachers for the local, SHS P.R.I.D.E. Awards and received many commendations for his strong character and work ethic.
Ian is also very involved with numerous extracurricular activities both at SHS and on the State level. He is an active member and leader of the SHS Skills USA Chapter and was elected twice to a state officer post-serving as the State Skills USA Parliamentarian and now serves as the State Skills USA Vice- President. He has participated in the State and National Skills programs and competitions in Opening and Closing Ceremony (OCC), Technical Team Problem Solving, Quiz Bowl and Job Skill Demonstration.
He was a member of the SHS Track team in the 400 meter dash and high jump and lettered in track at SHS.
Ian is a leader with the SHS Marching Band and the Symphonic Band and a four year member of both units-serving in the percussion section. He is also a member of the famous SHS Drum Line, performing across the Greater Seward area with his snare drum. He is a Bass/Baritone with both the SHS Swing Choir/Show Choir and the Select Choir and has participated with both for three years.
Ian is self employed by teaching guitar lessons to students in Grades Four through Eight, and also works throughout the year at the St. John Lutheran Church Child Development Center.
He is a very committed member of St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, and a voice of the youth in the congregation. He is a church musician when needed and a member of the St. John Godparent Youth Group program with Danae and Barry Eitzmann serving as his Godparent leaders. He has taught and assisted with the St. John Vacation Bible School, Summer Horizon’s program and Sunday school.
Ian has not decided on a college yet, and is looking at Seward Concordia University or Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He plans to double major in Spanish and Education and become a teacher.
His “Service Above Self” requirement was fulfilled with many, many hours working with youth over the last four years as a counselor with the Summer Horizons program, the VBS program at St. John and a Show Choir camp leader.
Ian was the recipient of the Gary Luebbe Leadership Award as an eighth grade student for his leadership qualities in school.
Ian was introduced and recognized at the Rotary Club meeting and awarded a Rotary Club Book Scholarship and various Rotary Club mementos, along with the Rotary Club Banner for his Graduation table. He is now a finalist for the Youth Rotarian of the Year and will be recognized also at the annual SHS Honors Night in May and there they will announce the Youth Rotarian of the Year.
The Seward Rotary Club recognizes one outstanding SHS Senior each month. Applications can be obtained by contacting the SHS Counseling office.