The Hastings Area Rotary Club recognizes Hastings High School seniors who exemplify Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self through its Student of the Month program. Each school year, eight senior students are nominated by their teachers for demonstrating leadership, character, and a commitment to serving others. The program also helps strengthen relationships between the school and the broader community. Selected students are invited to a Rotary meeting for breakfast and recognition, along with their nominators, family members, a school board representative, and the school superintendent.
The Rotary Club recently honored two students during a combined recognition meeting, celebrating January Student of the Month Charlie Reamer and February Student of the Month Ellie Magnus. The joint event was held due to a scheduling conflict in February, giving both students the opportunity to share their stories and reflect on their involvement in school and the community.
Charlie Reamer, the January Student of the Month, was nominated by teacher Miss Kerner, who described him as a student dedicated to creating a positive environment for his classmates. In the nomination materials, she wrote that “Charlie is a bright light for HHS. He wants to create a positive high school experience not only for himself, but for ALL of his peers. He is a leader of several school programs including Student Council and uses those platforms to create the positive experiences he wants for all. He is hard working, thoughtful and dependable.”
During the Rotary meeting, Reamer spoke about the many ways he stays involved in school life.
“So, I got nominated by Miss Kerner right over here. Like stated, I'm involved in Student Council. I'm an officer for student council. I'm also an officer for NHS, and I am a link crew Commissioner through the link crew club, and then I'm also a member of the Red Cross Club. So, I'm kind of involved in many different aspects of the school.”
He noted that Student Council is one of his most significant commitments, helping organize major school events such as prom and homecoming.
Outside of school, Reamer balances his academics and activities with two jobs.
“I have two jobs now currently; kind of my main job is I am a heated yoga instructor. So, I teach over at Bodie studios in Prescott, Wisconsin. I teach yoga sculpt. So, I have my certification in 50-hour yoga sculpt. And then my second job, now, I used to work at the Hastings public house, kind of on and off there now, but then I did just get another serving job down at the new corner Italian place in Prescott.”
Reamer also shared his plans for the future. He will attend the University of Minnesota Duluth next year, where he plans to study cellular molecular biology on a pre-med track, with an interest in genetics if his path shifts.
Looking back on his school experience, Reamer reflected on what advice he might give his younger self.
“Well, personally, I feel like I stress out a lot over like very minor inconveniences, and like even now I'm still working on that, but I'd say like if I could go back, I'd try to rethink that and learn based off that mainly.”
Hastings High School Principal Scott Doran praised Reamer’s leadership and presence in the school.
“Watching Charlie come up for the last four years and now being a senior, this time last year I wasn’t panicking at all, because I knew we had Charlie and a couple of his buddies. The transition was seamless. Watching it with Student Council and being around the building as much as you are, was pretty cool.”
Following Reamer’s recognition, the Rotary Club honored February Student of the Month Ellie Magnus, who was nominated by teachers Mr. Lutz and Mr. Olson.
In their nomination, they described Magnus as an exceptional student and role model, writing that “Ellie Magnus is a rock star in every way, in the classroom, in athletics and as a representative of our Hastings school community. She is kind and compassionate. She is a leader and a great role model for her peers. She does things the right way no matter the situation.”
Magnus is involved in a wide range of activities at Hastings High School.
“Yeah, so like they said, I'm in FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes), I'm a huddle leader, and then I'm in National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Best Buddies and unified ed kind of go together. And then I was a soccer captain, and I'm track captain.”
Her leadership extends into athletics as well. Magnus has earned seven school records in track, competing in sprint events and relays.
Next year she plans to attend the University of South Dakota, where she will study math education and compete on the track team.
“I'm going to University of South Dakota next year for math education. That's my plan right now. And I'm also running track there.”
Magnus said her interest in teaching grew through the encouragement of several teachers during middle school and high school.
“I had Mrs. Peterson, and then had Mrs. Abel and I have Mrs. Kerner. So, it's just like, they all just seem like they like what they do, and like I like math, so I feel like it would be something that I would have fun doing.”
One of the experiences that stands out most to Magnus is her time helping students in unified physical education classes where the standard student body mixes with special education students.
“They just know how to have fun, and they don't care what anyone thinks. They just try their best to do whatever we're doing that day.”
Doran noted that many staff members were eager to see Magnus receive the recognition.
“Every staff member I talked to, oh hey who's the Rotary student of the month, and I would tell them. It was almost kind of like, it's about time.”
When asked what advice she would give her younger self, Magnus offered a simple but meaningful message.
“I'd probably just say it'll all work out. I feel like I stressed over stuff like where I was going to go to school and that kind of stuff, but it all worked out.”
Congratulations to both Charlie Reamer and Ellie Magnus. As part of their recognition, each student receives a check for 250 dollars to help with their post-high school education.