HAPPY TOONIES
Sue is happy to be back from England visiting her daughter.
Ted is happy to be over the holiday season. He received an awesome gift for a stay at Casino Seneca.
Dan is happy to contribute.
Sandra is happy she had a great holiday.
Kim is happy to have visited her son in British Columbia. Picture perfect.
David P. is happy to contribute.
Devon is happy that the Bingo Float is getting close to balancing,
GUEST SPEAKER:
Name of Speaker: Dr. Leanne Foster
Introducer: David P.
Thanked By: Kim
Speaker’s Remarks:
Leanne is the Head of School at Trafalgar Castle School, in Whitby. Trafalgar Castle was built by the Sherriff of Ontario County in 1859. The school accommodates some 230 students from grade 4 to 12. Trafalgar offer both day school as well as residential school programs. They place no limits on their students.
The following notes are extracted from the Trafalgar Web-site about their World of Hope program.
It was spring of 2015 when I was named Head of School at Trafalgar Castle School. A friend and valued mentor took me out for lunch to celebrate my new role. After she congratulated me, she said, “So you’re a Head of School. Now what are you going to do?” Not sure what she meant, I asked her to clarify. “How can you make a difference?” she asked. “How will you give back? That’s what this job should be about.” As I sat pondering those powerful questions, she added, “There’s someone I want you to meet.”
A month later, I was introduced to Narmin Ismail, CEO and Founder of Spark of Hope Foundation. Narmin described the remarkable work her foundation does to help young women from developing and often war-torn countries access post-secondary studies. She explained that empowering young women who demonstrate exceptional academic and leadership potential, particularly those from countries in turmoil, has the ability to lift entire families out of poverty and strengthen whole communities by igniting a spark of hope.
I remember the moment when Narmin looked at me and explained, “We’re doing all we can to help these girls access university. But we need to get to them sooner. Many of them simply can’t wait.” And at that very moment, an idea was born.
A World of Difference is Trafalgar Castle School’s way to get to these girls sooner – to help them keep their studies going or, in some cases, to restart studies that have been interrupted because of war or civil unrest. Our school community is committing to work with Spark of Hope to identify a young girl from a developing country whose leadership potential and desire to learn shines through, despite the adversity of her circumstances. We will invite this young girl to join us at Trafalgar for her grade 11 and 12 year, so that we can prepare her for university studies. When she’s ready to leave us, Spark of Hope will be there to ensure that her studies continue, and that she receives the education and training necessary to make a world of difference in her home community.
We announced the launch of World of Difference this week. Humbled and proud do not begin to describe the emotions I feel as I see the outpouring of enthusiasm and support from the entire Trafalgar Castle School community – students, families, staff, alumnae – so many people who are rallying round this initiative. Support is even being offered from our local communities of Whitby and Durham Region, and that says to me that Canadians, far and wide, believe we can make a world of difference in the life of a young girl.
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT, MAKE UP: Go online at www.rotary.org go to the club locator and find a club or clubs near your destination. Or you can add the free App Rotary Club Locator to your phone for instant look up of any club in the world. Please mail or fax your make-ups to Secretary Robbie Larocque, or give your make-up card to the attendance/registration officer at the next club meeting.