The Rotary Club of Dartmouth recently awarded three winners for their entries in the Club's writing contest.

The Club recognized second runner-up Braley Neto, first runner-up Megan Fernandez, and winning essayist Samiya Roukos for their responses to either “How Can A Middle School Student Make a Difference?" or "What Does Community Service Mean to Me?"

Each received a gift card to Barnes and Noble, and the Rotary Club will make a donation to a nonprofit of Roukos' choosing.

The three were chosen by a four-person committee from a selection of 18 submitted essays written by eighth grade students.

The Rotary Club's objective is to encourage service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster "service above self." This year, the Club has coordinated a Pancake Breakfast, a Cleanup Day at Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust, and the essay contest.