Sunrise Spirit - June 11, 2008

June 6, 2008 Meeting

Announcements

Howard Stauffer reminded us that their will be a group of Rotarians and others heading for Laos in August. They will attend ceremonies at the Rotary School in Mongkol Borei, dedicating the recent additions supported by our Rotary Club, among many others. The Arcata Sunrise contingent is now eight strong, including Howard, President-Elect Mark Burtchett, and Jessica McKnight. The travelers will leave August 22^nd, and they plan to return on September 7^th.

Don’t forget!!!! Next Friday, we will meet at the Arkley Center for the Performing Arts in Eureka for a field trip. The Community Center will be overrun with recent graduates of Arcata High (at the Safe & Sober graduation celebration), so we are taking the opportunity to explore the back stage areas of the new facility.

Honoring the Top Ten Percent

Every year, shortly before graduation, we host the academic elite of Arcata High School’s graduating class. AHS Principal Lisa Grey noted the high achievements of the group, noting that among them, they have taken 105 Advance Placement courses. They also have a cumulative grade point average of 3.927.

Scholarships

Sunrise Rotary Memorial Scholarships were awarded to Wyatt Roseman, Rebecca Harnden, Ka-lani Robles, and Matt Batini. Each received $1,000 to help them in their academic pursuits. Celeste Manka received our $1,500 Renewable Scholarship.

Last year’s Renewable Scholarship recipient, Ben Batini, told us how that the scholarship gave his education at Humboldt State a huge boost. Ben is studying kinesiology, with plans to enter the field of sports medicine. He called his first year of college “a great adventure”. He has made many new friends, and he is able to walk to school each day. He has been trying to start a wrestling club at HSU, but “it’s harder than you would think”. Ben stays busy, though, working in youth football and as a volunteer wrestling coach at Arcata High. He congratulated all the 2008 graduates-to-be.

Commencement Address?

Dr. Bob Snyder, the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Interim Provost, then gave a brief presentation. He led off by thanking President Lori and our Club for honoring the top achievers of the Class of 2008. Dr. Snyder then reminded us all that these students had to overcome any number of potential distractions. “High school,” he said, “offers more opportunities to wander off course than any other time in life.”

He told the seniors that they will have more freedom within the next few years than at any other time in their lives. He encouraged them to take advantage of that freedom and to explore the array of possibilities open to them. Dr. Snyder advised them to sample the various disciplines outside their majors, and to think about the co-curricular opportunities. He reminded them that the world needs individuals who are creative and able to communicate well.