Aiden Partenio, 17
Student
At just 17 years old, Aiden Partenio stands as the youngest honoree in this year’s 40 under 40. A senior at Houghton Lake High School, Aiden has already demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to his community. He currently holds multiple leadership positions including Student Senate President, Senior Class President, and National Honor Society President. Under his leadership as Student Senate President, Aiden successfully reintroduced beloved events such as Students vs. Staff games and the Snowcoming dance, revitalizing school spirit and involvement.
Aiden’s commitment to service extends beyond the school halls. As a former Rotary Interact President, he played a pivotal role in doubling the size of the club and now continues to serve as Vice President. He also co-chairs the Youth Advisory Council (YAC), participates in Quiz Bowl, and is a member of the Ecology Club. His achievements were recognized when he was named Conferee of the Year at the 2024 Rotary Life Leadership Conference for District 6290, which spans parts of the U.S. and Canada.
Beyond his school and volunteer commitments, Aiden is a Shift Leader at Prudenville Dairy Queen, a role he’s held for four years. In his spare time, he enjoys playing the violin and piano, and walking his dogs. His involvement in the community is driven by a desire to make a positive impact, as seen in his work as the Battle of the Books timekeeper, where he encourages students to read, and his efforts with Rotary Interact to collect school supplies, clothing, and hygiene products for those in need. Aiden is also active in addressing food insecurity through the Youth Advisory Council’s partnership with food trucks and enjoys volunteering at local events like the Houghton Lake Area Historical Society’s Santa’s Workshop.
“This community is full of people who want to make a difference. These people have allowed students like me to make a positive impact. I get involved because I want to make a difference,” Aiden says. His dedication to service and leadership makes him a standout member of his community, and he looks forward to continuing to contribute to the betterment of Houghton Lake and beyond.
Aiden is supporting the Houghton Lake Community School District Support Fund.