The Rotary Club of St. Thomas II will announce the winner of its coveted Person of the Year award on Friday, April 15. The presentation will be made at a special luncheon hosted by all five St. Thomas Rotary Clubs as part of the Rotary Region 7020 Conference being held at Marriott’s Frenchman’s Reef Beach Resort. Rotarians representing 80 clubs from 10 Caribbean countries are on island this week participating in the annual regional conference. Governor de Jongh has proclaimed this Rotary Week and will hold a reception at Government House to welcome the humanitarian group on Thursday evening.
By long standing tradition, the identity of the Person of the Year is a closely guarded secret. The selection committee has been successful in maintaining absolute secrecy for all but one of the 31 year history of the award. According to Committee member Horace Callwood, “The suspense and surprise is an important part of the presentation. At the ceremony, necks will be craned as everyone subtly scans the room reviewing those present to try and identify the most dedicated community altruist and leader present. This year they will have an especially difficult time because, instead of at the regular weekly meeting of Rotary II, the award will be presented at the sold out regional luncheon.”
"Since 1981, Rotary II has honored an individual whose courageous struggle against all odds in service to others is recognized and applauded. “It is an important part of our service work in the community,” said Club President Eric Baynes. “By this prestigious award, we recognize character, determination and selflessness to encourage these traits in our young people."
The award itself, a statuette depicting the fictional hero of Miguel Cervantes’ classic novel “Don Quixote” signifies the recipient’s selfless dedication to the community.
Award Committee member Ted Bast said, “Many are nominated, but only one can be chosen." Previous honorees include Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr., Senate President Lorraine Berry, businessman Randy Knight, and last year’s recipient Addelita Cancryn Junior High School sports coach and inspirational leader Therese Hodge.