PROGRAM for MAY 13:
MEETING IN THE ATRIUM OF THE HOTEL
Ally Gamaitan, Brooke Sahm, Madeline Blackwell, Indy 500 Princesses talking about the Indy 500.
MEETING FUNCTIONS for MAY 13:
Money Collectors:
    GIL SATTERLY - 11:00 to 11:30
    VICKI BURCH - 11:30 to 12:00 NOON

Greeters:

    TBA - 11:00 to 11:30
    TBA - 11:30 to 12:00 NOON
Invocation:
    PATTI TRUITT
MAY PROGRAMS:
  • 5/20  Comm. Coll. Scholarships.
  • 5/27  BOB HANNEMANN. National Missing & Exploited Children.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:

♦ Will we have another Harvest Dinner?  Who will organize it?  Should we have another kind of fund raiser?  BECKY ROBLEDO raised these questions for members to think about.  If we are to have funds for local projects, we need to raise funds.  In 2012 The Harvest Dinner raised $25,000.  In 2013 it brought in $20,000. This will be discussed during the next month.  Any ideas you have should be directed to BECKY or JANE.

♦ Our printed directories quickly become “out of date”.  Before we print more this summer, please check your information and report changes and/or cell phone number to JANE.

♦ Pub Club is meeting at Red Seven at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.  It is located at 200 Main Street, Lafayette, and BECKY ROBLEDO invites us to park in the Lafayette Savings Bank parking lot at 101 Main Street.

♦ Our club will be participating in the first annual Volunteer Expo sponsored by Leadership Lafayette Class 43 at the YWCA on May 8th between 4 and 6 p.m. Volunteers are needed to represent our club.  Contact CHRIS for if you can help.  Details are here.

ROTARY SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS:

Introduction of Ben Hallberg, Harrison H.S. by LIZ SOLBERG

The initial things that jump out when getting acquainted with Ben on paper is that he is first in his class at Harrison, has all kinds of awards, and was doubly accelerated in his honors math class. Ben plans to attend Notre Dame and earn a degree in math and another STEM discipline and then go on to graduate school in engineering or science. • Ben has been a delegate to Hoosier Boys State, and has participated in • National Honor Society, • Spanish Quiz Bowl, • Math Club, • basketball,…..and he plays a little Frisbee, too! >

But reading on, there is much more. His math teacher describes him as the one that other students seek out in class group projects, Ben Hallberg not just because he is so good, but because he wants to help others, which he also does as a volunteer math tutor. Music plays a crucial role in Ben’s life.

You have seen him marching with his trumpet in the Harrison band at football games, playing in the jazz band, and this year in the pit band. Excellence in this area is marked by multiple annual gold solo ratings at the state level in music contests. Again, he goes beyond his own involvement and makes a difference for others.

But let me let Ben speak for himself from the essay he wrote:
“My greatest joy has come from making a difference in people’s lives, no matter how small. One of my favorite ways to do this is by helping people understand academic material, primarily in science and math, which combines my strength in these areas and my willingness to lend a helping hand. Another way I love to make an impact on people, is to set a good example. Whether it is by sitting with the lonely child during lunch at LUM Camp, or encouraging timid trumpet players in band to play out, I believe setting a positive example is one of the best ways to help out my neighbors, as role models in my life have played a large part in me becoming who I am today.”

Ben has also done a number of community volunteer activities, such as with the Salvation Army and Jubilee Christmas. But a real standout has been his two summers as a counselor at the Lafayette Urban Ministry summer camp. Let me read some observations made by the camp director about his effectiveness in that role:
- “The young boys in Ben’s cabin group absoltely enjoyed every day they were able to spend with him. He was a wonderful role model to them.
• Ben possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• He puts those around him at ease,
• makes friends very quickly, • is a natural leader,
• enjoys overcoming challenges, and
• has a great sense of humor. - On all levels he is a blue ribbon standout.
- He is a credit to himself, his family, our community, and our state.”

I say to you, Ben, and to your fellow scholarship award winners, we thank you for the chance to get acquainted and for the optimism you give us that the future is, indeed, in good hands! Congratulations!

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Notes by JOHN BARRETT for Elena Escudero, Jefferson High School.

    Elena’s Mother: Shellie Kay Johnson, Accompanist
    Shellie’s Husband: Steve Douglas Koehler, Managing Director, Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette

Along with Elena Escudero’s high academic attainments she has received at least 18 Awards and Honors, mostly in recognition for vocal and cello    performances.

Elena has been involved in principal roles in 29 Activities including roles in Theater, Elena EscuderoVocal and Instrumental Music.

In Community Service she has been involved in at least 7 endeavors, including being a Page for Ron Alting.

She has worked as a Teacher, in her Church Nursery and as a Vocal Soloist.

Quoted or paraphrased from Elena’s application essay:    

    “For as long as I can remember, music has ruled my life, from jazz, to opera, to Broadway, including voice, cello, piano and percussion. My life goal in music is not simply to be a performer, but also to raise awareness of the less popular genres, because of their potential entertainment value and their historical importance. I have spent my 17 (now 18) years of my life committing to any musical performance opportunity that I could. “

This summer- Elena plans to give an eclectic concert and will donate all proceeds to a local not-for-profit.

This fall- Elena will study vocal performance at DePauw University.  After this she will either continue her education or sing with an opera company, or both.
 
Eventually- Elena plans to perform professionally, and to influence and educate children and adults in the beauty of opera, jazz, and other genres of music.

Elena’s utmost motivation for success is the thought of benefiting others just by doing what she loves!

Michael Bennett, Elena’s choral director at Jefferson High School, and recent winner of a Golden Apple award, says Elena possess a rare combination of character, talent, and pride, not often found in high school students, especially those receiving constant acknowledgement and praise.

Vergene Miller, DePauw University Distinguished Professor of Voice, Emerita, and Elena’s voice teacher and coach, says that Elena’s beautiful voice, musicianship, and unusual maturity, generosity and kindness, matched by an artistic connection to her music, happens only on rare occasions. She has advanced to the finals in every national contest she has entered! Vergene says Elena is the single most talented high school student she has ever taught.

Personally, I hope I live long enough to hear Elena Escudero sing in the Met!

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Introduction of award winner Alaina Milazzo - Central Catholic High School – by Dr.BOB HANNEMANN-
Good Afternoon—Rotarians and guests. They seem to get better and better don’t they?
Today it is my pleasure to introduce to you Scholarship winner Alaina Milazzo from Central Catholic High School. Her parents, Marla and Joseph are with her and have already been recognized.

Alaina is ranked number 1 in her class. She has had numerous honors and awards during her high school career,Alaina Milazzo among them are the following: The Indiana History award; Being a Participant in the National History Day in Washington D.C. in 2013; Recipient of an Indiana University Provost Scholarship; and election to the National Honor Society.
She has not only been recognized for her high school academic achievements but also for her other student activities including membership on the student council, being president of the senior class and involvement with music particularly singing.  I recognized that earlier in the meeting as we sang the National Anthem. It was obvious that she and the other students and guests made that rendition better than it usually is because our Rotary Club is not noted for its musical ability, particularly the singing.
In addition to the school activities already mentioned, Alaina has been active in sports. She has been a 4-year participant in soccer and a 2-year captain of the team. Her skill is in defense and my granddaughter, a soccer player for Purdue, who has taught me all I know about that sport, has informed me that playing defense is the most demanding of all positions in soccer and Alaina has excelled at that.  
Alaina has also been active in the community particularly in her church where she has contributed her efforts and talents in multiple ways including activities involved with music and work with younger children. She also has done work for the Columbian Park Zoo.

Alaina has also found time to work outside the school and church by being an employee at a restaurant and those of us who have done that, know how difficult it is to satisfy the customer particularly in that setting.  And, speaking of difficult tasks, she has tackled two others: refereeing soccer and babysitting.
Alaina plans to attend Indiana University in Bloomington to double major in journalism and advertising.  By virtue of her outstanding academic record and further evidenced by her being awarded a Provost Scholarship, she has already been given early admission to the School of Journalism.
Here is a quotation from one of her letters of recommendation: “Alaina is a wonderful young woman who will succeed in any endeavor to which she aspires. She will make the most of every opportunity that a college education affords her. I unhesitatingly recommend that you invest in her future as the returns will be bountiful.”  Rotary agrees, Alaina!