Rotary Log for May 28, 2020
President Leo led the Pledge of Allegiance and turned it over to Judy who sang the third verse of My Country Tis of Thee.
John Rice’s invocation noted that deaths from Covid19 passed the 100,000 mark this Memorial Day week.
Leo then welcomed guests, notably our District Governor-Elect Peggy Balanger
and Melissa Lesniak, president of the Dover Rotary Club.
Sara Treacy made the only announcement, which was about our Salvation Army effort. The Army has moved out of its old Middle Street address and now operates a food truck to serve meals. It is uncertain what our future role will be.
With no fine master operating today, James Petersen brought out an historical photo of his passing-on the presidency This resulted in some laughter and perhaps a bit of queasiness.
The image superimposed a smiling James behind a bare-chested Vlad Putin.
Jon Flagg’s historical moment recalled June 1985 and the day when James Labrie was inducted as Portsmouth Rotary president.
Coincidently, we were happy and pleased to see Ellen Labrie on board at this meeting.
Today’s program, the awarding of Rotary Scholarships, was next. Co-chair Lindsey Hery reviewed winnowing down the list of 28 highly qualified applicants to 13 final recipients. All interviews were done on Zoom and it was apparent that the students were quite comfortable with this approach. All 13 received $3,000-dollar scholarships.
Lindsey virtually presented the first three recipients. Jennifer Sidhwa, fifth in her class of 232 at PHS, was strongly involved in volunteer activities and is headed to UNH. Jenna Pole hopes to enter veterinary medicine. She also volunteered extensively while at PHS and will go to the University of Miami. UNH-bound Ella Lucacz has a unique dual interest in art and sustainable farming.
Cleo Villaflores introduced the next group. St. Thomas Aquinas grad Austin Phan will attend Brown University. UNH is Emma Savage’s choice. She will major in Marine biology. Rachel Goldberg is going to Colby College as an education major. Both young women graduated from PHS.
John St Pierre described three more recipients, all PHS grads. Emma Katona is a National Honor Society scholar who did shopping for her neighbors during this crisis. She goes to Lesley College in the fall, majoring in art. Adison Scully, remarkably, has already earned her real estate license. That’s a good thing since she will be a real estate finance major at The College of Charleston. Jacob Boutin is a member of two All-State basketball championship teams. He volunteered extensively and started his own babysitting business. He plans to enroll at Suffolk University.
Tristan Shanley profiled the final four students, all from PHS. UNH-bound Lillian Murray started her own non-profit and was able to provide a washer/dryer for six needy families. She hopes to become a CPA. Kathleen McCafferty is going to North Carolina State. She is a National Honor Society member and has had a working job since age 14. Riley Huneke has enrolled at University of Southern Maine, where he will be exercise science major. Riley hopes to train as an EMT. Finally, Jack Russo will head north to attend St Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y.
It is our loss not to be able to meet these remarkable students in person, but we congratulate and wish them well. May their futures be adventurous and fulfilling. We also thank the committee for their hard work and dedication.
Peggy Balanger closed the meeting for us with the 4-WayTest.
Respectfully submitted, Al Lantinen
Photos by Don Chick
