Rotary Log May 26, 2011 (Scholarships)

Written by: Rotarian X

Rotary Log

May 26, 2011

What a crowd we had today!  A packed house and not a politician seeking public office in sight!  Looks like the Rotary spirit is on the rise.  Despite a very late start to lunch (word has it the chickens were tipped off to their fate and put up a heroic struggle), President Diane, as always, ran a tight program. Fine Master Neal Ouellett, per his usual, captivated us with his fine master sleights of hand, comedic timing and commando style countermeasure fines.  Case in point—“all those who have received scholarships raise your hands.  Great, everyone at your table pay a dollar.”  Waheed Mansur gave a happy dollar for world peace.  As someone who was in Pakistan during the Osama Bin Laden event, he certainly is one who can speak from personal experience about the need for peace in this world.

Lisa Mills announced the Tall Ships are coming again this Memorial Day weekend--always a fun event for families and friends alike in Portsmouth.  Nancy Notis reminded us to bring any and all items we wish to donate for the Funky Junk Yard Sale to be held June 4^th from 8-2 at the Community Campus.  Time is running short so please bring any items you wish to donate to our next meeting.  Lastly, the golf tournament is just four weeks away.  We still need sponsors and auction items.  Please contact John Pratt or David Splaine if you can help in any way.

Today we celebrated the recipients of the annual Rotary scholarships given to select members of the class of 2011.  And what a fine group of civic-minded, high-achieving young men and women—wait, I stand corrected—fine group of young women and MAN.  Yes, the ratio was 14:1, more on that later.  Diane Levine, Chair of the scholarship program commenced the activities.

The first recipient to take the podium was Nicole Jones.  Nicole is a senior at Portsmouth High School who has immersed herself into a number of charitable causes including the Senior Citizen Prom.  Nicole participates in the RYLA Club and is a member of the PHS Student Council as well as the National Honor Society.  She also mentors children in the local grammar schools through the Amigos program.  Nicole plans to attend the University of Connecticut in the fall to focus on Latin American studies and expects to travel to Spain in the winter to observe and study Spanish culture.

The next recipient was Savannah Fodero.  Like her colleagues, Savannah is actively involved in a number of charitable causes such as the Salvation Army.  She is a member of her school’s tennis, field hockey and women’s lacrosse teams.  She too, is a member of the National Honor Society and a member of the Student Council for which she is the school board liaison.   Savannah plans to attend Simmons College to study nursing and may undertake the five-year master’s program in nursing.

Victoria Blanchard is a Rye resident who attends PHS.  She is a Co-President of the PHS chapter of the National Honor Society and a member of the Student Council.  She mentors children in the Amigos program and works at the Wentworth Marina.  Victoria plans to attend Northeastern University to study business marketing.  She plans to take a trip to North Africa at some time in the future.

Haley Bacon is a PHS senior who is active in community service.  She is Co-President of the National Honor Society with Victoria as well as president of the local chapter of Global Cause.  She participates in the Interact Club events such as the Senior Citizens Prom.  Haley provides tutoring services at Dondero to instruct gifted children in the Accelerated Math Program known as AMP.  Haley plans to attend Dartmouth College to focus her studies in medical research, in particular, and any research opportunities, in general.

Jennifer Tilden focused her acceptance speech on her future plans.  She will attend Keene State College in the fall to pursue a teacher’s certificate as well as a minor in Psychology.  Thereafter, she plans to attend UNH to seek a master’s degree and a child life specialist certification.  Further down the road she would like to work as a teacher.

Laura Nevins is a Co-President of the Student Council at PHS and is involved in the first student-run endowment to support the Portsmouth School System.  She referees 5^th grade basketball in her free time and attended St. Paul’s Advanced Studies program the past summer.  Laura plans to attend Williams College to pursue a liberal arts degree.

Symonne Fontenot is a tri-captain of the PHS Women’s Lacrosse team and is also a member of the PHS Women’s Soccer team.  She is a member of the Student Council and provides tutoring services to 5^th graders in the Portsmouth School System.  Symonne plans to attend Simmons College to study Psychology and Criminal Management.

Zoe Pillais a member of the PHS Women’s Soccer, Track and Lacrosse teams and participates in a number of clubs including the Amigos program—her favorite.  She attends summer camp and is actively involved in peer leadership programs.  Also a member of the National Honor Society, Zoey donates her free time to the local soup kitchen and the local chapter of the Salvation Army.  She plans to attend Northeastern University to study International Affairs.

Cielle Collins is a member of the PHS Women’s Softball and Basketball teams.  She also participates in the Big Sister program and provides help and companionship to a neighbor suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.  Cielle attended the St. Paul’s Advanced Studies program for Studio Arts and plans to attend Bowdoin College to study Neuroscience.

Satchi Nagada is a board member of the PHS chapter of the National Honor Society, Vice President of the French Club and member of the PHS Math team.  Satchi is a member of the PHS Women’s Field Hockey team as well as a participant in the Global Cause program.  She plans to attend UNH to study Chemical Engineering.

Next up was the lone male scholarship recipient, Chris Rogers.  Chris is actively involved in a number of music-oriented programs including his role as a 5^th grade band mentor, member of the PHS Marching and Concert bands as well as participation in the Freshman Ensemble that won a national championship in Dayton, Ohio. Lastly, he achieved membership in the New Hampshire Allstate Band as a capstone to his high school music achievements.  Chris will attend Boston College in the fall to study Biology and then possibly Medicine in the future.   Well done Chris for avoiding a female sweep!

The final recipient to take the podium was Kelsey Zuchowski.  Kelsey is a member of the National Honor Society and, like Chris, is a member of a number of PHS musical clubs including the PHS Marching and Concert Bands, and the Percussion Ensemble that tallied a gold medal this year after seven consecutive silver medals.  Well done Kelsey!  Among her many activities, she teaches swimming and offers her time and talents at church.  Kelsey will attend UNH in the Health and Human Services School to study occupational therapy with a focus on children.

The scholarship celebration ended with a well-deserved round of applause for the students for all they have achieved, and for their parents who have supported their children throughout their academic careers.  Again, well done to all.

The meeting ended on a light note with the irrepressible Walter Liff auctioning two items.  The first item up for consideration was simply classified as a “plastic blow-up toy.”  What appeared to be a new “chapter” in Rotary auction items prompted hushed exchanges, unintelligible murmurs and many blushed faces—my, my, how the Rotarian mind wanders when contemplating such high minded affairs as “plastic blow up toys”— and turned out to be nothing more than another innocuous “Certified Rotary Safe” auction item. See Picture below.  Unfazed by the subject matter, Walter was in top form with his precise description and unwavering focus to elicit the highest bid--$15.  The winner’s name shall be withheld to protect the innocent. (If we were to name Neal Ouellett, it would serve no purpose other than to sell more copies of the Log).  As for the second auction item, after all the commotion with the first item, can anyone even remember what it was?  Ah yes, a venerable British tea set of fine bone china direct from the Harrods London Collection. 

The raffle was for $68 and no match.  Having concluded all business, President Diane adjourned the meeting.