The Rotary Club named Mercer Island High School students Sam Peterson and Rachel Gallagher the Rotary students of the month for January.

The son of Charles A. Peterson II and Nancy Corusso, Peterson is the vice president and secretary for the Model United Nations, president of the Investment Club, a member of National Honor Society, captain of the Ultimate Frisbee team, a member of the cross-country team and is involved with Knowledge Bowl, Running Club and Senior Service Club at MIHS. Outside of school activities, Peterson is a VOICE volunteer, an ultimate frisbee camp counselor, a Boys and Girls Club summer camp counselor, a mentor, council member and leader-in-training with the Northwest Chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America and enjoys skiing and hiking. Peterson has been accepted to Claremont McKenna College, where he hopes to study economics, international relations and biology.

Gallagher is the founder of Lunch Buddies, a club that pairs students with special needs students to share lunch. She is involved with MIHS Band, a member of girls lacrosse, a National Honors Society Member, a member of the cross-country team and a Bridges leader at MIHS. Outside of school, she volunteers with Friendship Circle of Washington, is involved with Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, is involved with National Charity League and is a summer volunteer at Seattle Children’s Research Institute. She likes to bake, read, take walks and spend time playing with her dog. The daughter of Tom and Susan Gallagher, she is planning to attend a small liberal arts college and study in a science-related field.