Community Service --- Our Youth Programs

2005-2006

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Like most Rotary clubs we try to be very active in Community Service. Here is a summary of the Club activities that are focused on our youth.

Learning the basics of Rotary
  • Four Way Test Essay contest is held for high school students in the Spring for them to learn about some of our ideals.

Leadership Development Opportunities
  • (RYLA) Rotary Youth Leadership Awards-a leadership camp in April for 9th graders sponsored by our District 7530.
  • (HOBY) Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Seminar in June in West Virginia is a program for 10th graders. All the schools nominate a student for this program. We sponsor at least one of the students from our local area. Also there is an International HOBY program which we have supported nominated students.
  • Girls and Boys State is sponsored by the American Legion and we work with the local high schools to sponsor 11th grader girls that we nominate. This even occurs in June after school is out.
  • Our sponsorship of the Interact Club at Parkersburg South HS is an all year long leadership development program for all of the 30-60 students who partipate. In addition to the many community services they perform alone they help us with our Blood Screening program and our SOUPER Bowl.

Student Recognition activities
  • Every week during the school year we ask student leaders from Parkersburg HS, Parkersburg South HS, Parkersburg Catholic HS and Wiliamstown HS to join us for our luncheon meeting. They are leaders from athletic teams, arts groups, student council, and many other organizations. Our goal is that they learn something about Rotary and the importance of community involvement.
  • In May we invite the winners of the West Virginia Golden Horseshoe contest. We recognise the achievement of these eigth graders in their understanding of West Virginia history and culture.

Scholarships
  • Our annual summer Sour Mash golf tournament supports students with renewable  scholarships related to golf.

International Helping and Understanding programs.
  • Our annual medical mission to Nicaragua includes whole families as well as students from the Interact Club
  • This year we are restablishing Rotary Youth Exchange in our Club. We are planning to bring a student for an academic year that is being sponsored by another Rotary Club somewhere else in the world. We hope that we can send an adventuresome and self confident student overseas in 2007.