Stillwater Sunrise Rotary has selected the theme of “What’s Best for Kids” for its Community and Vocational Service emphasis in 2007-2008. This quote is from Mary Jo Weingarten, the first woman member of the club, president, and assistant governor for District 5960.
Our emphasis programs for community service are the STRIVE program at Stillwater Area Senior High School, an ethics essay contest, and a drug and alcohol abuse program in the junior high schools, and the pep band at the senior high school.
STRIVE is a program where rotarians and non-rotarians mentor high school students in the lower part of their senior class with emphasis on preparing them for their post graduation opportunities and responsibilities while working with them to improve their grade point in their senior year. The student with the largest grade point improvement is awarded a $1500 scholarship to an educational institution of his/her choice, and the second greatest improvement is awarded a $750 scholarship to an educational institution of his/her choice. In addition, several $250 scholarships are awarded.
The ethics essay contest is new this year. We will work with the Stillwater High School to have the students submit essays on ethics. The essays judged the best will receive cash awards.
The Youth Drug and Alcohol Prevention (YADP) program for the junior high schools is also new this year. What is planned is a three hour symposium on September 21 held at Stillwater Junior High to address
- What is the problem here?
- What will happen if nothing is done?
- What can we do now?
Civic Leaders, Business Leaders, School Officials, Parents, and other interested individuals will be invited. Stillwater Sunrise Rotary has committed $15,000 to aid this program. The detailed program for September 21 is currently under development.
The pep band was started in 2006 with our monetary support. The high school had not had a pep band, and there was great interest in having one by a faculty member and many of the kids in band. This support will continue in 2007
How will our club raise the money to support these programs? On September 16 the annual golf tournament will be held to support the first two programs above. On September 22, we sponsored the Harlem Ambassadors basketball team in a game against local “stars” at the SAHS to raise the funds to support the drug and alcohol abuse program. A third fund raiser for the spring is under development.
This is an ambitious schedule, but we are committed. We can use your help!