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.

Club Honors 166th PHF

Judy Schofield, wife to Rotarian Rick Schofield, mother of 3 and grandmother to 4, is SGR’s newest Paul Harris Fellow.  The club’s 166^th PHF was honored with the presentation of a certificate signed by RI president Sakuji Tanaka, a lapel pin and a medallion at the Monday, September 10 luncheon meeting. 

When $US1000 is contributed to The Rotary Foundation, a request can be made for recognition as a Paul HarrisFellow. Individuals – whether or not they are Rotarians - can make a personal contribution or the contribution can be from a club, a company or business.

Meet Our Outgoing Exchange Student

Alexandria Meyer, like her classmates at Pine View High School, is eagerly anticipating the excitement of her senior year of high school.  But rather than studying in English in her Washington County hometown, Meyer recently left her family and friends behind to study in French as a Rotary Youth Exchange student in Belgium. 

Meyer, the oldest daughter of Lance and Suzanne Meyer of St. George, is one of 8000 students annually who participate in Rotary youth exchanges in more than 80 countries, living for a year with a host family while attending school, learning a new language and serving as an unofficial ambassador of goodwill for her country, her culture, her ideals and values.

When she first proposed the idea of studying abroad, her parents were uneasy, but encouraged her to “do the research . .  . and she did!” notes her mother.  “She coordinated with Pine View so she could graduate with her classmates here in St. George, collected all the necessary reference letters and – through fundraising and part time jobs – raised more than 75% of the money she needed for the year.  That’s our Alex!  When she wants something, she really digs in her heels and gets it done!”

As Meyer’s sponsor in the Rotary Youth Exchange program, the St. George Rotary Club plays host to an incoming exchange student and provides a small monthly stipend to the incoming student. The Meyer family will serve as a host family for our incoming an exchange student.

Other families are needed to host Rotary Exchange Students. If interested, please contact Linda Baker.

Rotarians At Play!!!

Only a handful of Rotarians and their families took advantage of President Phil Hall’s invitation to spend a weekend recreating at Deer Creek Ranch, his beautiful, fully-developed property up Johnson’s Canyon outside of Kanab, but those who made the 1 ½ hour trip were not disappointed!  The weekend included zip lines, swimming, skeet shooting, hiking, canoeing, great food, and the opportunity to get better acquainted and socialize with family and Rotary friends.  Those who did attend are ready to do it again . . . those who were unable to attend can expect a wonderful opportunity for fun and play!  Thanks to Phil and his family for sharing this exceptional resource in the mountains.

Collin Davis Named Rising Star

Collin Davis was named 2011-12 Rising Star at the club's annual installation and awards luncheon on July 2.  He also received a Distinguished Service Citation in recognition of his willingness to get involved in the club's parks and trails project committee which will be carrying out a futsal project at Snow Park.  Collin initially sought membership in the club because of the Guatemala stove project and immediately volunteered his time and money to travel with members of his new club.

The Rising Star Award recognizes exceptional accomplishments in service to the club, community, state or the world by a new member(s) in good standing (those who have been members for one year or less). 

O'Riley is Rotarian of the Year

Janet O’Riley was named 2011-12 Rotarian of the Year by President Linda Baker at SGR’s annual installation and awards luncheon on July 2.  Janet also received a Distinguished Service Citation – both awards in recognition of her work as Rotaract Advisor and providing guidance in the establishment of a an Interact Club at Dixie Middle School.  In addition, Janet helped establish an annual fundraising project and was personally responsible for the sale of 100 cases of oranges to help the fundraiser succeed.

The Rotarian of the Year must be a member in good standing who has provided outstanding service to the club exceeding the expectations of membership through their commitment of time and energy to best exemplify Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self.”