Rye Country Day junior Catie Colao was honored with Larchmont Rotary’s annual Blum Award for leading the Saturday Reading Club at Mamaroneck’s Community Resource Center. A celebratory luncheon was held at the Larchmont Yacht Club on November 8, 2024. The Blum Award recognizes local high school students for their initiative, leadership and creative pursuit to make a difference in their local community and beyond.

Club President Lester Nathan gave his opening remarks and Treasurer Marion Anderson welcomed club members and special guests. Marian White, Club Rotary Foundation Chair, followed with the story behind the Blum Award and then introduced Catie Colao.

The Saturday Reading Club, which is sponsored by the Community Resource Center, helps young students improve their reading and writing skills. Catie uses the Aequora textbook, which teaches the students not only English but also Latin. Catie related stories about her experiences tutoring the young people and how one of their favorite things became reading stories in Latin out loud. 

In addition to her Blum Award Certificate, Catie received Certificates of Merit from State Assemblyman Steve Otis, State Senator Shelly Mayer and County Executive George Latimer, who is also a member of the Larchmont Rotary.

The Rotary Club of Larchmont is part of Rotary International, with over 1.2 million members worldwide. Rotary is an organization of business and professional persons united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Since its founding in 1929, the Larchmont Club has supported the community in many ways including through donations to local groups; for 30+ years awards to area high school students for outstanding service and dedication to the community; and for 30+ years sponsorship of an essay contest for middle school students.

Guests are welcome at the club’s bi-monthly meetings. Interested individuals can visit https://larchmontrotary.org/ to contact the club.