Our Rotary meeting personified the term "Career Development." Those attending were treated to presentations by individuals who have benefited directly from programs established at UNCC, CPCC, and our own Charlotte Mecklenburg School System. In the words of Rotary member Cindy Johnston, "the strength of career development in our great city is demonstrated by the collaborative efforts of these organizations."
     What is truly unique to Charlotte is the shared goal and mission of a public school system, community college, and a university working together to provide quality internships. Rather than competing, constructive interface is used to serve students better. One would only need witness the size of the throng headed to the front table after the meeting to realize how many lives have been touched.
     The students who presented their stories to the Rotarians were: Peggy Brooks, a student from CPCC who was introduced by Tony Zeiss, Pratash Jain, a student from UNCC introduced by Denise Dwight-Smith. and Larisa Yasinovskaya, a student from the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System introduced by Eric Smith.
     Peggy Brooks had a story which pulled our heartstrings. This single mother lost her husband as a result of a heart attack. Before he died, they owned a restaurant business which burned to the ground. Now faced with being a single breadwinner, she reengineered her life by attending CPCC with the pursuit of becoming a dental hygienist.
     This is a very competitive course of study at CPCC, and Peggy not only secured a spot but also became a class officer and the recipient of many awards. She is now educated in dental hygiene with numerous job offerings in this professional field. Because of the sad experiences of Peggy and her triumph over misfortune, her story is one to motivate others never to give up.
     Pratash Jain was born in the area of India in the sub continent. He is currently engaged in a Masters program at UNCC. This Masters program is in the area of computer programming, placing Pratash on the correct side of the "Digital Divide." He is an example of triumph over a cultural and language barrier who has obtained skills to compete. Pratash is now not only proficient in his skill, but is considering job offers all over and in excess of $50,000 annually. He considers the internship program the reason for his success.
     Larisa Yasinovskaya is another student who has overcome both cultural and language barriers. These challenges did not hold this student back; her goal is Harvard Law School. As consolation to Larisa, Tony Zeiss commented that if law did not work out, she could always come back to CPCC and be trained as a plumber. Thanks Tony. Tony was showing us again the collaborative efforts between these organizations.
     Tom Barnhardt had the head table responsibility. The head table was filled by Janet Huber, Eric Smith, Tony Zeiss, Denise Dwight-Smith, Worth Williamson, Richard Rankin, Ed Kizer, and Cindy Johnston.
     Jerry Grohowski introduced visiting Rotarians and guests. The Health and Happiness Report was cancelled due to too much health and happiness to report, and too little time. Chuck Lineberry continues to create his happiness through enthusiasm and song, and Richard Rankin gave a moving and eloquent invocation.
     Bill Hillhouse introduced new member Winston R. Kelley, another great addition to the club, so look for his coming biography.
     One final note, Janet Huber of the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System encouraged Rotarians to offer intern sites and get more involved. Rotarians should consider "what they can do to create opportunity."
     Mark your calendars for our Millennium Gala on Friday, March 17, and the Habitat for Humanity project. Tom Robertson encouraged all members to get involved with the Habitat project, and mentioned the prowess of Henry Allison in wielding a hammer.

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New Member

WINSTON R. KELLEY

Duke Power Company
P.O. Box 1006-EC01K (28201-1006)
382-5783
FAX 382-3264

     Winston Kelley was born in Concord, N.C., graduating from Concord Senior High in 1975. Winston graduated summa cum laude from N.C. State University in 1979 with a double major in Business Management and Economics. Winston was inducted to Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society during his junior year at NCSU.
     Winston joined Duke Power Company in June 1979 upon graduating from NCSU. He has progressed through various levels of managerial responsibility in the Budget & Accounting, Human Resources and Business & Community Relations groups during his tenure with the company. Winston has had the opportunity to work at Duke's three nuclear stations: McGuire in Huntersville, N.C., from 1981 to 1991, Oconee in Seneca, S.C., in 1993 and Catawba in York, S.C., from 1993 to 1994, most recently serving as Catawba's Human Resources Manager, Winston served as District Manager in Duke's Catawba Area, comprised of York, Lancaster and Chester Counties in South Carolina from 1994 through 1998. He assumed his current responsibilities as District Manager for Mecklenburg and Union Counties in North Carolina in September 1998 with responsibility for coordinating Duke's business, governmental and community relations activities.
     Among Winston's hobbies and outside interests are motorsports broadcasting, golf, various church and community activities, and participation in various fundraisers for children's hospitals and organizations. Winston can be heard many weekends as a reporter for the Motor Racing Network, the provider of radio broadcasts of the majority of NASCAR's top racing divisions—The Winston Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck series. His church affiliation is the racing community's Motor Racing Outreach Ministries, which serves over 20 different racing series on a weekly basis.
     Community activities include the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Chamber's Governmental Affairs Division Chair and various Chamber committees;- Lak.« Norman Area Chamber of Commerce BODs, Carolinas Partnership BODs, Union County Arts Council BODs, 600 Festival BODs and the United Way Outreach Committee.
     Winston's previous Rotary involvement includes membership in the Lancaster, S.C. Rotary club from 1994 through 1998.

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     In February Don Steger attended the 60th anniversary of the Lancaster, S.C. Rotary Club to represent our club at this event. The Lancaster Club was organized by the Chester, S.C. Club in 1940. Chester was sponsored by the Rock Hill Club, and our Club organized the Rock Hill Club. Our Club was organized in 1916 by Rotary International.
     Jim Woodward will lend a hand when Habitat for Humanity builds its 400th house to be owned and occupied by a Bosnian refugee family.
     Worth Williamson has earned the designation of Certified Investment Management Analyst through the Investment Management Consultants Association.
     Past Presidents of Charlotte Rotary have lived to 78 Vz years. The oldest was Norman Pease, who lived to be 102; the first President was the shortest lived, dying at the age of 53.

POWELL'S
OBSERVATIONS

POWELL MAJORS

     Tom Hutchins in a letter to the editor berates the "Observer" for a cartoon which he felt insulted John McCain and other servicemen who were POW's in North Vietnam.
   Tony Zeiss was one of the speakers at a public policy forum sponsored by the Carolina Partnership. Tony is the Chairman of the Charlotte Region Workforce Development Partnership.

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     The Boy Scouts will give John Belk an Eagle Scout party to celebrate his 80th birthday, March 29th. 1000 guests are expected.
     Rick Jackson and associates at WBT expect to continue 20 sportscasts a day in spite of losing the Panthers account. The Panthers will have inside house control of the radio broadcasts which will be aired on WRFX.

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