Club Publicity Chair, Paul Emery (left), along with long time member T. Nelson Harmon (right), present to Henry Saunders (center) a framed picture of the members attending the 2015 Lobster Boil.
This annual event has been held each summer at Henry’s Sebago Lake home for the past several years. This small token was given in recognition not only of his great generosity in opening his home and grounds each year, but also in tribute to his many long years of service to the community through the Westbrook-Gorham Rotary. Thanks Henry!!
(From left to right) RYLA Chair Jason Beever, RYLA students; Sarah Terrano and Connor Blake from WHS; Kara Ellsmore from Gorham High School; Dr. Bruce Dyer Interact Advisor WHS; and Harold Thomas, RYLA selection committee. Three other students were not able to join us including GHS students: Noah Bird and James Benson.
Each year, a small group of W-G Rotarians reviews applications and interviews students from Westbrook and Gorham High Schools to select up to three candidates from each school to attend RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards). While many RYLA attendees are members of their local Interact Club, not all have that opportunity. The goals of Interact (and also RYLA) include developing leadership skills and personal integrity, demonstrating helpfulness and respect for others, understanding the value of individual responsibility and hard work, and advancing international understanding and goodwill.
Each students spoke about their life changing experience during the 3 day program at Camp Hinds, which involves many social and physical team building activities. Kara told us that RYLA was about making relationships and helping others on your team through the challenges. Connor spoke about meeting new people and successfully facing an obstacle course as a team; like figuring out how to get all team members over the 12’ climbing wall. Sarah commented that speaking in front of people was outside of her comfort zone, but an introduction exercise during which a ball was passed to each speaker was great and helped her overcome that fear (and she did well in front of us!).
As we have heard from previous attendees, RYLA is a great and often life-changing experience. We look forward to promoting RYLA at both schools for the upcoming year. Ideas for “getting the word out” to a broader audience about this great program are welcome (speak to Jason or Hal).
One of our own, Deborah Shangraw, was honored by WCSH Channel 6. 6 Who Care is a program that seeks to find and honor individuals who demonstrate exceptional service to their community.
To quote from the award: Deborah Shangraw is a champion for My Place Teen Center in Westbrook. As a member of their Advisory Council, she has advocated fearlessly for its funding (including her own generous contributions and her appeals to the Governor's office and the Legislature). She is a regular presence the MPTC, volunteering at least 20 hours each week with the kids. For 21 years Deb has been part of the Real Estate Managers Association Toys for Tots Drive – one of the largest of its kind in Maine; she served as the State Event Chair for six years. A devout churchgoer, Deb is deeply involved in meeting basic and emergency needs in the community (home heating oil; Thanksgiving baskets; clothing for those in need). Most often her help is given very quietly, with no expectation of recognition. Paul Emery says "Deb is an outstanding person combining great business acumen, personal warmth, devoted motherhood, and extraordinary generosity, giving money, energy, and time to organizations and individuals in need."
Don't forget that this is Polio Plus month for Rotary International. Please be generous with the Polio Plus canisters at our last October meeting this week so we can send a big donation to the Rotary Foundation at the end of the month.
Every donation that we commit to polio eradication will be tripled by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Let’s help support the final push to eradicate polio around the world.
