May 13, 2019- Elizabethtown Area High School seniors Grace Murray and Joseph Szymanski were named the Elizabethtown Rotary Club’s students of month for May. Murray and Szymanski were honored for their high academic achievement and extensive involvement in school and community service activities. 

Murray is the daughter of Thomas Murray of Elizabethtown. She is member of the prestigious National Honor Society. Murray was named a commended student in the National Merit Scholarship program. She is active in numerous school programs and activities. She is captain of the girls’ volleyball team, a member of the competition science team, and a volunteer in the high school multiple disabilities room. Murray is the recipient of numerous underclassmen awards including in the areas of anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, and English. She received both the players’ award and captain’s award for volleyball.

Murray is active in the community. She volunteers with an autism support group helping teenagers with autism strengthen their social skills. She also has participated in the local Relay for Life for the past sixteen years.

Murray plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh Honors College and obtain a degree in biochemistry with the ultimate goal of becoming a doctor.

Szymanski holds leadership positions in numerous school activities. He is president of the high school’s Model UN Club, treasurer for student council, captain of the high school ice hockey team, and manager for the high school soccer team. He received an underclassman award for excellence in the area of National Socialism and the Holocaust.

In the community, Szymanski has interned with state representative Dave Hickernell. He also is a member of the Hershey Bears junior ice hockey team and has represented his church at the Church Council National Youth Conference in Houston, TX.

Szymanski plans to attend the Honors College at George Mason University and major in Government and Public Policy.