Allentown West Rotary Club recently recognized Ryan McDonnell, a senior at Northwestern Lehigh High School, as student of the month for October.

Ryan, a member of National Honor Society, is on the debate team, plays varsity football and is a member of the Leo Club.

He also participates with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Ryan told the club about an awe-inspiring moment in his life that occurred during a mission trip to Mexico with his church to provide food and medical supplies to homeless people and orphanages.

While there the mission team held a camp to share American football.

The people he met and the dire needs he encountered made him want to create channels to get help to those who need it.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Ryan was part of Players of the Stage, a theater group that performs plays to support nonprofit organizations.

His plans are to attend a four-year college majoring in finance and computer science.

He was joined for the presentation by his parents, John and Noel McDonnell, and by David Combs, a guidance counselor at Northwestern Lehigh.

The award includes an Amazon gift certificate.