Club Meeting – April 30th, 2015

Our program today continued last weeks youthful theme by highlighting three of several youth-focused programs sponsored by our Club.

Dictionaries for Kids – For several years every third grade student in the City of Salem Elementary Schools has been given a bound dictionary for their personal use.  We think this small investment has potentially a very high upside.  It might kindle in some students an unexpected interest and become a priceless gift.

Deborah Carroll – Principal, West Salem Elementary introduced third grade students who gave the Club thanks for their new dictionaries.  Several Club members have third graders who are now proud owners of their own dictionaries.

At the high school level Rotary Clubs sponsor Interact Clubs to foster community service and enable young people ages 12-18 the opportunity to make a difference in their communities. An Interact club carries out two service projects a year: one that helps their school or community and one that promotes international understanding.

Kara Halsey – Interact Club Sponsor introduced Monica Sexton – Vice President of SHS Interact Club, who then introduced the Salem High School Interact Club members attending today’s meeting.  Visit our Facebook page for more photos.

Rotary offers high school and college age students the chance to develop a greater awareness of their community and the world in which they live.  At the high school level our Club sponsors delegates to the World Affairs Seminar where they interact with people their age from around the world and share views on global issues.

Hunter Routt – Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction, International Baccalaureate Coordinator, Salem High School introduced last year’s delegates to the World Affairs Seminar, Seth Greer and Nicole Quinn, and this years delegates who will attend this summer, Cole Chisom and Kemper Wills.

Our Club also participates in the Rotary Youth Exchange  programs which enable high school age students the opportunity to study and live for an extended time in foreign lands. Our Club is currently hosting a Rotary Youth Exchange student from Brazil, Alvaro Catel.  Do you know a local high school student interested in a unique learning experience?  We are accepting applications for outbound student exchanges, contact us.

In addition, Rotary International’s Peace Fellowships is one of the largest international post graduate scholarships programs created with the aim of fostering peaceful international relations.  Rotary International through local Rotary clubs provide unique opportunities for worthy young adults to better their understanding and ability to make this a better world.