Brookings, SD — Brookings High School seniors Marina Du and were honored as the Brookings Rotary Club’s September 2018 Students of the Month. 

Marina is the daughter of Jikai Du and Heather Li.  Some of her in-school activities include:  Speech and Debate, Varsity Girls Tennis, Spanish Club, FCCLA, NHS, and orchestra.  Outside of school, Marina plays classical piano, volunteers for the Brookings Public Library, Tutors, and is a Joyce Ivy Foundation Fellow.  Her honors include: president of speech and debate, varsity athlete scholar, Sioux Valley Energy EmPOWER Youth Leadership Representative for BHS, National Qualifier in Debate, FCCLA State Leadership Team Officer, VP of Public Relations of FCCLA, National Merit Semifinalist, and AP Scholar with Distinction.

Caitlyn is the daughter of Tony and Michele Nielson of Brookings.  Some of the activities in which she has been involved are: Marching and Concert Band, Choir, Jazz Choir, All-State Band, All-State Chorus and Orchestra, S.D. Senior Honor Choir, Thespians, and Fall Musical.  Her honors and offices include: National Merit Semifinalist, Letter Recipient – Band, Choir, and Swimming, BHS Marching Band Leadership Team, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, AP Scholar of Distinction, and Multi-Event State Champion-Swimming.  She has also been involved in Brookings Swim Club, First Lutheran Church Choir, EmPOWER Youth Leadership Program, and Girls State.  After graduation from BHS, she plans to attend either the University of Nebraska-Lincoln or Drake University to study Actuarial Science and Data Analytics.

Each month during the school year, the Brookings Rotary Club recognizes two students who excel in exhibiting their motto “Service Above Self” and fulfill the ideals of the Four-Way Test: Is it the truth?  Is it fair to all concerned?  Will it build goodwill and better friendships?  Will it be beneficial to all concerned? 

Photo: L-R: Caitlyn Nielson and Marina Du