Youth---truly our investment in our future!   How fitting that Rotary designates a calendar month to Youth Services!   Many Rotarians  join or remain in the ‘family of Rotary’ because of its advocacy for youth programs.   I did!   As a past teacher and current administrator, the Rotary partnership is so evident in our schools and community.   Leadership, literacy, and scholarship programs flourish because of Rotary.  I am so grateful for the opportunities for youth to learn, to connect, and to become leaders!

   

We are very proud of our longstanding Youth Exchange program.  Chair, Ron Hutchinson, has made the program vigorous and impactful.   Faiza has enriched our understanding of her country and culture…soon she will depart for home enriched by a year full of incredible memories.   Yes, many students in adulthood return to their host families and Rotary communities to visit and reconnect because of lifelong ties established during the exchange year.   These students are our ‘peace ambassadors’.  Thank you for opening your homes and hearts to our exchange students!

 

Whatever you do to support youth programs…..a sincere thank you.   Annually our club awards over $37,000 in scholarships,  engages in local and global literacy projects that support reading, send students to the Rotary Youth Leadership Assembly, support the Interact Club and AVID students at SKHS, support the Ready for K! Program in SKSD, and honor the PO Rotary Students of the Year. Our youth infuse our world with a sense of possibility.  Thank you for recognizing that an investment in our youth is an investment in our future.  Students so very naturally know how to “Be the Inspiration”….and demonstrate how “Rotary Connects the World”.