THE FUTURE LOOKS GOOD FROM HERE

Rotary does many things.  One of the most significant aspects of the work of Rotary is to encourage and sponsor student and youth-related activities.  We truly are blessed to have so many great young people in our community with whom we can interact.

After the meeting at which Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) student participants gave their brief talks, one of our members commented that even though we sometimes think this country is "going to hell in a handbasket", hearing those young people gave reason to be optimistic for the future.  Stanwood is blessed to have some outstanding high school students.  These folks were just a sample.

It is our plan to work with the FBLA members and to include them in some of our projects.  For example, they would be a great asset for our Thanksgiving Food Drive which takes place the two days preceding Thanksgiving Day.  Also, the students might enjoy assisting in Operation Warm.  Mr. Colby, the faculty advisor for the FBLA (and son-in-law of our own Charlie Keith)  has indicated there are many ways FBLA can engage with Rotary.  We are invited to send two members from the Stanwood/Camano Rotary to one of the FBLA meetings to tell them more about Rotary.  This is a perfect form of outreach for the purpose of planting Rotary "seeds" for the future.

In another way, this contact with FBLA can provide the nucleus for a Rotaract Club which we hope to start during this Rotary year.  Rotaract involves young people ages 18-25.  Many high schoolers are too young for active membership at present, but other young folks in addition to high school students who meet the age requirement might find this wholesome group to be of great interest.

We are delighted with this contact with high school students and hope we will help them know more about Rotary and to gain an appreciation for RI. 

Not only did we have some fine visitors from FBLA, we were also treated to another visit by our exchange student Marta Sorano Carpintero!  It is always wonderful to see Marta's smiling face.  Marta has agreed to give a program later in this Rotary year, so she can introduce us to her family and native land (The Canary Islands). 

Then, we should also acknowledge our outgoing exchange student, Ashley Hall.  Ashley is having a very good experience in Praesto,. Denmark (close to Copenhagen).  Ashley is an outstanding student and very pleasant young lady.  Upon her return, we will have a chance to hear many stories from Ashley's year in Europe.

Finally, we must remember Kayce Ericksen.   Our club sponsored Kayce's successful application for one of the two Ambassadorial Scholar grants offered by District 5050.  Her Scholarship year will be in 2008-2009.  Kayce, too, is outstanding.  Currently, she is in Korea and is also traveling other areas of Asia.

"But wait, there's more....."  Each year, we honor outstanding students from the Stanwood/Camano School System.  Soon, we will have the special meeting at which we get to meet and hear leading students from selected schools.  We appreciate Gary Platt and Mike Ganz who arrange for the special times we honor the students.  Many in our club say that is their favorite meeting.

So, students and other young people we encounter in Rotary meetings and activities give us reason to have faith that the future will be well taken care of by these fabulous personalities.

We offer our love and best wishes to each of you, 

JoAnn and Dave