Stories


Local Students Shine in 2023 Speech Contest In mid-March, seven local students participated in our annual 4-Way Test speech contest with topics ranging from school shootings, the mental health crisis plaguing our youth and peer to peer sexual assault to the negative effects of screen dependence, prejudicial gender statements and women’s health rights. All high school students, grades 9 through 12 are eligible to participate in the contest. Each contestant chooses the topic of his/her speech. The purpose of the speech is to persuade others while applying the principles of the Rotary 4-Way Test. The 4-Way Test asks the following four questions of the things we think, say or do: 1. Is it the TRUTH? 2. Is it FAIR to all concerned? 3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? 4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? Their stellar entries made it difficult, but ultimately the judges selected Andy P. from Whitehall High School as the winner. His moving and persuasive speech focused on unfair healthcare/health insurance practices and the effect these disparities have on individuals and families. Andy went on to represent Whitehall High School and our Club at the Regional Contest on April 1^st, where he won first place, and the May 6^th District Contest, placing third. Read more...	Local Students Shine in 2023 Speech Contest		2023-09-26 04:00:00Z	0
LOCAL STUDENTS SHINE IN SPEECH CONTEST On March 9, five students from Whitehall High School and one student from Catasauqua High School were showcased in the Whitehall Area Rotary Club’s annual 4-Way Test Speech Contest. The contestants tackled a broad range of challenging topics, including book censorship, drug addiction and racial hate crimes. All high school students, grades 9 through 12 are eligible to participate in the contest. Each contestant chooses the topic of his/her speech. The purpose of the speech is to persuade others while applying the principles of the Rotary 4-Way Test. The 4-Way Test asks the following four questions of the things we think, say or do: Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? This year’s stellar entries made it difficult, but ultimately the volunteer judges selected Mackenzie Laub of Whitehall High School as the winner. Her moving and persuasive speech, titled "The Real Story of Title IX," focused on ongoing gender inequality issues in collegiate athletics. Club President-Elect Dianne Frana and Club Member/Contest Moderator Mary Kay McMahon presented her with a check from Whitehall Area Rotary as her prize. Kudos also to runners-up Grant Heimbecker (Catasauqua High School), and Vanamarie Huynh, Jasmin Abdalla, Janet Rivera, and Giovanni Failla (all from Whitehall High School) who will each receive a monetary prize from host site Fellowship Community. Laub will represent Whitehall High School and Whitehall Area Rotary Club at the Regional Contest on April 2, which will be held at Willow Lane Elementary School, Macungie, PA. The students are taught/coached by Michelle Abbadessa, Whitehall High School English teacher; Ashley Schmidt, Catasauqua High School Career Facilitator; and John Yanek, Catasauqua High School Learning Support teacher/Debate Club sponsor. The event was held at Fellowship Community in Whitehall, PA, and live-streamed on the Club’s Facebook page. Six Club members participated as judges, moderator, timekeeper, and teller. If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Tracy Bozik at (610) 769-9198 or tbozik@FellowshipCommunity.com.	LOCAL STUDENTS SHINE IN SPEECH CONTEST		2022-04-12 04:00:00Z	0
Helping people with disabilities make their own music Music has been an important part of leading an ordinary life for students at the Music School for Children With Disabilities in Honor of Paul Harris in Lublin, Poland. Founded by Rotary members, the school serves 20 students with various disabilities, including Down syndrome, autism, and visual impairments. The Rotary Club of Lublin-Centrum-Maria Curie-Sklodowska has provided funding with help from Rotary Foundation Matching Grants and the Henryk Wieniawski Musical Society, which houses the school. After their son Mateusz was born with underdeveloped eyes, Mariusz and Joanna Kania looked for ways to help him be active. When he showed an aptitude for music, they looked for a teacher and were thrilled to find the Paul Harris music school. Read more...	Helping people with disabilities make their own music		2015-05-01 00:00:00Z	0
Finding Safe Haven For years, Angalia Bianca had slept in abandoned buildings throughout Chicago. She stole. She did drugs. She spent time in and out of jail for forgery, theft, trespassing, and possession of narcotics. But after she landed in prison for the seventh time, something changed -- Bianca knew she wanted a better life. She just didn’t know how to make it happen. After serving her time, Bianca sought help from a local homeless organization, A Safe Haven, and moved to its shelter in the Rogers Park neighborhood. Bianca followed the program closely -- she attended all the required meetings, passed drug tests, and volunteered at every opportunity. Read more...	Finding Safe Haven		2015-05-01 00:00:00Z	0
Saving lives in Ghana What is it like taking a large team to Africa? It has probably been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. In mid February, I began leading Rotary members from all over the East Coast of the United States through Ghana. I’ve tried to give the team a warm Ghanaian welcome like I’ve received on my earlier trips. A large trip is a real blessing because each person sees Ghana and our work in a different way. A highlight for the team was greeting the chief of Sagadugu. The team got excited about buying goats and food for children in the villages where I support eight churches. It was good to see the pastors of most of the eight churches, and I had to explain that we were just passing through on our way to Bolgatanga. Read more...	Saving lives in Ghana		2015-05-01 00:00:00Z	0
India celebrates three years without polio Throughout India and around the world, Rotary clubs are celebrating a major milestone: India has gone three years without a new case of polio. The last reported case was a two-year-old girl in West Bengal on 13 January 2011. To mark this historic triumph, Rotary clubs illuminated landmarks and iconic structures throughout the country with four simple but powerful words, "India is polio free." The three-year achievement sets the stage for polio-free certification of the entire Southeast Asia region by the World Health Organization. The Indian government also plans to convene a polio summit in February to commemorate this victory in the global effort to eradicate polio. Read more...	India celebrates three years without polio		2014-02-26 00:00:00Z	0