|
CELEBRATING EDUCATION
By: Marilynn Bowler
From the strains of “Proud To Be An American” and Thomas Moore’s
wonderful version of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” through David
Erdman’s touching wrap-up comments, Charlotte Rotary members were
treated to a poignant reminder today of what’s great about our
country as we were updated on the Charlotte Rotary/Central Piedmont
Community College scholarship winners, and the Charlotte Rotary
Scholarship winners from the public and private high schools were
individually introduced and recognized for their academic and civic
accomplishments. To be named the winner of a Charlotte Rotary
scholarship carries with it both prestige and responsibility.
We hope by giving these impressive, sharp young graduates the means
to go to college, we are offering them a chance to make something
very special of themselves in a way that will make our world a finer
place in which to live.
Andy Zoutewelle led things off by citing our Rotary Club’s five
Central Piedmont Community College scholarship winners and sharing
just a slice of why our financial help has meant so much to each.
All of them, Andy told us, were earning their CPCC degree and going
on to get a four year degree. Many share a long list of special
characteristics: A large number are first generation college
students; there is a strong financial need; they’ve been through
challenging times and have survived to become good, hard-working
students; their stories of accomplishments against the odds are
highly inspirational. One is a widow with two young children. She’s
on the road to becoming a math teacher; one is studying interior
architecture; there is a business major and one who aspires to
become an attorney. Andy told of one particular scholarship winner
for whom English is a second language. This winner attended CPCC and
was accepted into the National Honor Society and Phi Theta Kappa
International Honor Society. All are accomplished – and
accomplishing – human beings.
Providence Day School Headmaster Gene Bratek and CMS Superintendent
Jim Pughsley then strode to the microphone to introduce the public
and private high school graduates who had been named our Charlotte
Rotary winners. To put it succinctly, our two-hundred+ members were
impressed by the grade point averages, civic accomplishments,
long-range goals, personal demeanor, and choice of colleges.
The following students have made their families, friends, and alma
maters very proud:
Mary Ball Charlotte
Patricia Eichorn
Katie Gombar
Evan Taylor
Jessica Thompson
Kristen Turner
Matthew Crawley
John Williford
Megan Eyler
Brad Foley
Caroline Goforth
Kathryn Hasty
Frank Higginbotham
Carl Krimminger
Elizabeth Linzan
Greg Little
Aliesha Johnelle Maye
Anuradha Raja
Matthew Scott
Whitney Sessoms
Paul Swartz
Leslie Waldinger
Alana Shea White |
Country Day
Charlotte Catholic High
Charlotte Christian School
Charlotte Latin School
Hickory Grove Christian
School
Northside Christian Academy
Garinger High School
Providence Day School
North Meck High School
Myers Park High School
West Meck High School
Hopewell High School
Vance High School
Waddell High School
Olympic High School
Providence High School
Butler High School
Harding High School
West Charlotte High School
Independence High School
Northwest School of the Arts
East Meck High School
South Meck High School |
Special thanks to Gary Scott and his committee who put
this uplifting program together. A special tip of the Rotary cap
also goes to Phil Van Hoy for his rapid-fire comeback to the
jousting about the lopsided Chapel Hill/Duke recruits on our
scholarship rotary, today!
President Tom Robertson said it well. “This was a ‘gret’ program
spotlighting ‘gret’ young people,” he said…in his own special (and
very ‘gret’) way.
Head Table:
Tom Robertson, Chuck Panoff, Gary Scott,
Gene Bratek, Jim Pughsley, Edwin Peacock, Chip Scholz; Invocation:
Duke Ison
Visitors and Guests:
Paul Solitario; Health and Happiness:
Fred Brown; Song: Gregg Walker
|
*
* *
|
|
THE FOUR-WAY TEST
Of the things we think, say or do...
|
1. Is it the
TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all
concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL
and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to
all concerned? |
|
 |
|
2003-04
RI
Theme
|
z Ed Turner reports
he and wife Dee are
grandparents to baby Katherine Paige Helms born May 8 in El
Paso, Texas. Dee was able to be in Texas to assist the happy
parents, Kimberly and Josh Helms.
z
Sympathy is extended to Mary John Dye
in the loss of her Mother, Rosalie DeUyong Shepherd, last
weekend in Frankfort, KY.
z
Eleanor Barnhardt (Jim and
Sadler’s mother) married Dr.
John Douglas at Covenant Presbyterian Church on May 8th. Our own
John Rogers performed the
ceremony.
z
Ed Kizer received the prized
bottle of wine (from the Donald Haack
vineyard) Tuesday for reciting the 4-Way Test.
z
Leigh
Derby and Bill Blackwell,
along with Charlotte Knights Mascot, Homer, announced
Charlotte Rotary’s Family Night
planned for June 29th at the Charlotte Knights Baseball Stadium.
Doors open at 6:00. Everyone is invited! You’ll not want to miss
the picnic, plenty of activities for the kids, and of course the
baseball game. Details will follow in the upcoming flyer that
you will use to make your reservations. |
|
|
*
* *
|
|
STUDENT EXCHANGE UPDATE:
Don Millen and Lamar
Thomas assembled the student exchange host families
for a little get together at the home of
Bill Loftin, Jr. on May 18th.
Representatives from Charlotte Country Day School were on hand
to provide an overview of their exchange program, and announced
plans (hopefully) to offer a full year scholarship. Lodging is
pretty much completed for Damien Anciaux, the exchange student
arriving from Belgium in August. What an experience this will be
for Damien and members of the Rotary Club of Charlotte. More to
come!
EXPLORATORY TRIP TO PERU:
Matthews Mint Hill Rotary Club has put together a trip to Peru
from June 18-June 27. Since Arequipa Selva-Alegre, Peru is
Charlotte Rotary’s Twin Club, President Tom is offering two $500
scholarships to a Rotarian wishing to take advantage of this
opportunity. However, the deadline for your decision is May 21.
If you are interested, please contact Raffaele Beltram at
704-321-5455. Also, keep Peggy Wesp
and Katie Tyler informed of
your decision.
REPORT FROM AMBASSADORIAL SCHOLAR
SAM BARGER: Ed Kiser
has received an update from Sam Barger, the Ambassadorial
Scholar sponsored by Charlotte Rotary. Sam reports that things
are going quite well in New Zealand. He is very busy in school;
has met many wonderful people; been most impressed with the
sheer natural beauty of the countryside; addressed a couple
Rotary clubs and attended the Rotary District 9970 annual
conference; and looks forward to continuing this fantastic
experience.
ROSTER UPDATES: The
deadline for Roster updates is May 27th. Please notify the
Rotary office if you have a correction.
|
|
*
* * |
|
|
Attendance
Record |
|
5/18/04 |
5/20/03 |
| visitors &
guests |
52 |
51 |
| club
members |
158 |
176 |
| total
attendance |
210 |
225 |
| |
|
Wedding
Anniversaries |
25 Jane and Bob Brietz
27 Sandra and Luther Moore
28 Karen and Doug Bean
28 Ann and Gregg Walker
29 Eleanor and Alan Barnhardt
29 Claire and Brent Trexler |
|
|
New Members | Resignations |
Jim Flowers
Al Nikels |
Paul Betzold
Hank Heidenreich
Nancy Dorrier |
|
|
| Birthdays and
Birthplaces |
26 Don Millen, Atlanta, GA
27 Hope Lanier,
West Palm Beach, FL
28 Mary John Dye,
Louisville, KY
29 Leigh Derby, High Point, NC
29 Smith Foushee, Durham, NC
29 Anthony Fox, Charlotte, NC
29 John Galles, Chicago, IL
31 Bijoy Sahoo, Orissa, India |
|
|
|
