[Thanks to former Zen Master Editor Phil Shore for this haiku report of Friday's meeting. Sorry we don't have pictures of the scholarship winners, but it looks like you either get instant gratification from Philip or pictures, bells and whistles from me, but after a longer wait. Nifty Illustrated Tar Wheels about the GSE team visit and the high school musical are coming up, really, I promise. -Mac]
It was a day of young people and scholarship.
The first order of business was to introduce the student guests. We welcomed Dorothy Wollaber and Kirstyn Harmon from Asheboro High School as well as Jake Routh from Randleman High School. Dorothy’s interests are singing, school musicals (notably Children of Eden which is being performed this weekend), playing tuba and dancing. She plans to attend Appalachian State University to major in secondary English, minoring in opera vocal performance. Kirstyn has similar talents and interests. She participates in the Honors Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the Jazz Ensemble, the Park Street Players and the Art Club. She is off to UNC-Greensboro to study business then transfer to a culinary arts school. Jake Routh plays football, basketball, runs track and is a member of the debate team. He will attend Guilford College on a football scholarship this fall.
Our “real” guests as our unmentionable immediate past president used to term them were Jennifer Smith, guidance counselor at Asheboro High School, Rachel Hayes, guest of Elizabeth Cox, and Randolph Rotarian Jim Campbell.
Before letting Rebecca Redding leave the rostrum, President H.R. read a Red Underwood passage from 1962 about Frank Redding III being the only third generation in the club. Frank III was Rebecca’s father and much applause resulted because she is continuing the line.
District Assembly takes place next Friday on the campus of Guilford Technical Community College. Upcoming officers are encouraged to attend.
President H.R. turned the program over to Past President Jim Rich, Chair of the scholarship committee. Jim began by reminding us that a portion of our dues goes to the Educational Foundation. This year the club is distributing $7600 in scholarships to seniors at Asheboro, Randleman, and Southwestern Randolph High Schools and one scholarship to a second year, full-time student at Randolph Community College. The RCC scholarship pays for two semesters tuition.
By presenting these scholarships Asheboro Rotary emphasizes the importance of further education. The first RCC scholarship was presented in August of 2007 to Charleen (“Sherry”) Holt. The criteria were: (a) Student must be a second year associate degree candidate; (b) Student must have a GPA of 3.0; (c) Student must be enrolled in 12 hours of credit courses; and (d) Financial need must be evident.
Sherry spoke to us of her thanks to Asheboro Rotary and the experiences she has had because of the scholarship. She is preparing to receive her Associate Degree in accounting and business administration this May. She has become a member of a professional organization, Phi Theta Kappa. She works on several community projects including those which involve working to a cleaner environment, volunteering to supplement the food banks at CUOC and the Salvation Army, and working with the compensatory education program at RCC, a program we have supported in the past.
The high school scholarships were awarded on the bases of a. academic achievement b. citizenship and community participation and c. demonstrable financial need.
Bethany Underdonk, guidance counselor (with Jennifer Smith) at AHS spoke of the accomplishments in academics, athletics and community participation. She was especially proud of Zoo School.
AHS recipients were Meleah Faucette who will attend UNC-Chapel Hill as a North Carolina Teaching Fellow this fall to pursue a Spanish major with a minor in dance and Samantha Lovin who will also attend UNC-Chapel Hill to major in Political Science with an eye to law school.
RHS guidance counselor Jill Hayes spoke with pride about her school and its students. RHS received a beautification grant which supported the creation of a nature trail between Randleman High and Randleman Middle School. She introduced the RHS award recipients Ashley Evans and Patricia Pirelli both of whom will be attending UNC-Charlotte.
SWRHS guidance counselor Teresa Burton remarked about Southwestern’s being chosen as one of Newsweek Magazine’s top schools in the nation. She introduced Elton (Dale) Cranford, who will go to North Carolina State University in engineering; and Caroline Sheffield who will also go to State but major in Agricultural Education.
Each of the scholarship recipients spoke to the club briefly and expressed their thanks in a most mannerly way.
President H.R. gave the gong a mighty whack and we were adjourned.
