Raging Red Entertains SGR

“Not just a program, but a program and a half!!!” 

That’s how members of SGR felt about the musical ability, high energy and spirit of Dixie State College’s “Raging Red” show choir who performed at today's meeting.  Led by an enthusiastic  Choral Director Merilee Webb, the 30-voices of Raging Red – some who had at one time been in detention centers, homeless or who come from families with societal problems – find fun,  camaraderie and a feeling of belonging on the “inviting and unimposing” Dixie State College campus, where a full third of the student body is considered “non-traditional”.  Patterned after the original Dixie College Program Bureau, the group sang with gusto a few new numbers and a few from the days of PB Director Roene DiFiore, inviting Sam McArthur – a former member of the PB – to join them. 

The group – who sing, dance and recruit for the college they love in a variety of settings – has traveled at their own expense to China where they shared their Dixie spirit 9 times before large crowds.

“Thanks for supporting us and our college,” said one member of the choir to those in the club who have given generously to the school  and its programs over the years.  “Dixie lives in us!”

More PHF's Recognized

Today’s meeting of the Rotary Club of St. George included the presentation of Pat Bramlage and Louise Petersen.

For those unfamiliar with the recognition named for Rotary’s founder, it is defined on the RI website as follows:  Anyone who contributes - or in whose name is contributed - a gift of US$1,000 or more to the Annual Programs Fund may become a Paul Harris Fellow. Each new Paul Harris Fellow receives a commemorative certificate, a Paul Harris Fellow pin, and a medallion. Donors are eligible for Paul Harris Fellow recognition when their cumulative giving reaches US$1,000. 

Thanks to Bob Bramlage and Jack Petersen for their generous donations designating their spouses as Paul Harris Fellows, bringing the total of PHF’s to nearly 170!!!

Isom Twins Learn Leadership at RYLA

Kathrine and Rachel Isom, 13-year-old 8^th graders at Dixie Middle School, speak softly – but with obvious enthusiasm – of their mid-September weekend participating in RYLA. 

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is a youth leadership training program for young Utahns, usually in the 10th and 11th grades, chosen for their leadership potential to attend an all-expenses-paid camp where they develop and enhance skills through activities conducted in an atmosphere of trust and respect.

The youngest ever RYLA participants, the twin daughters of Richard and Anneliese Isom of St. George call the experience “life-changing” as they develop leadership skills in preparation to help lead the new Interact Club at Dixie Middle School. Interact is a Rotary International sponsored youth service club for 12 – 18 year olds.

The attractive blond teenagers noted the “award” was the chance to take part in the camp held this year at Heber Valley Camp with approximately 130 other teens. Sponsored by Rotary clubs all over Utah, participants also included Rotary youth exchange students from ten countries.

Every RYLA addresses leadership topics taught in a variety of locations, including outdoors in this spectacular autumn mountain setting:

• Fundamentals and ethics of leadership
• Communication skills in effective leadership
• Conflict management and problem solving
• Building self-esteem and self-confidence
• Elements of community and global citizenship
• Rotary's purpose of service to the community, state, nation and the world

What was their best memory of the weekend? Kathrine and Rachel agree the high point for both of them was hearing from motivational speaker Sam Bracken “who was into drugs by the age of 9 and lived with Las Vegas motorcycle gangs but who was able to completely turn his life around because he realized, 'you always have a choice in life!'” Bracken is the author of My Orange Duffel Bag with reference to a time in his life when everything he owned was carried in an orange duffel bag.

The girls were also impressed by Chad Hymas, a young husband and father, left a quadriplegic after a tragic farm accident, the keynote speaker at the conference with a theme of “A Different Kind of HERO (Helping Everyone Reach Out)”

Would they attend again, if the opportunity presented itself? “Absolutely! It was excellent,” the girls exclaim in unison. They plan to return in a few years to serve as RYLA Alumni.