Rotary Club of Lynn, MA

03/16/2026

01/31/2026

Thirty years ago, Lynn Rotarian Joe Coombs shared a deeply personal idea with his fellow members—one shaped by his own middle school experience and the life-changing impact of a teacher who believed in him. He proposed recognizing eighth-grade students who face physical, emotional, or psychological challenges and still show up every day determined to succeed.

Since 1996, the Rotary Club of Lynn has carried forward Joe’s vision through its Eighth Grade Recognition Program, the Club’s signature event. To date, nearly 1,000 students from Lynn’s middle schools have been honored for their resilience and perseverance.

This year’s program, coordinated by Rotarian and Lynn School Committee member Tristan Smith, recognized one student from each of eight local schools. Students and their families gathered for a celebratory luncheon, generously sponsored by RiverWorks Credit Union—a meaningful reminder of the power of encouragement at just the right moment.

01/30/2026

01/24/2026