Iowa RYLA 2025 Leadership Announced
Kai Ethell named as head counselor at Iowa RYLA 2025
Stories
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Three 5th Graders are Finalists in 4-Way Test Essay ContestCOVID-19 didn't stop the 4-Way Test Essay Contest, although it almost did. Tammy Rankin, Knoxville School District's 5th grade Language Arts teacher gave T. Waldmann-Williams 19 essays on April 30 after T. made a presentation on the 4-Way Test and contest on March 9 to 5 of Ms. Rankin's classes. After the school closed its doors, on March 13 the project seemed it would not be completed. However, Ms. Rankin was able to retrieve the essays, giving 19 of the possible 122 to T. who in-turn sent them to Sarah Prudy from the Write Place in Pella. Prudy developed a rubric and wrote feedback for each of the 19. Each of the 19 received their feedback as well as a certificate of achievement. The 3 finalists were Kaylynne Anderson, Bradley Hembrook, and Peyton Myers. In addition to their written critique and certificate, they each received two-1/2 hours of coaching to present their essay, 2 journals (one self-directed and the other a guiding writing for the 6th grade), the Rotary coin, and a set of pens good for journaling. Each presented their essay to Rotarians and guests via Zoom on May 20, 2020. This project as also a part of the Literacy Project supported by The Rotary Foundation and Rotary Club of Knoxville.
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Club celebrates 2020 Scholarship Recipients on ZoomThe pandemic didn't stop our club from celebrating the success of 16 scholarship recipients on May 6, 2020. While some recipients weren't able to join us on Zoom, a collage of their graduation pictures was made. We congratulate these graduates for their hard work academically and for their
 community service and wish them well as they go on to further their education. |
Final Distribution for Literacy ProjectThe 3rd and final book was delivered for 2nd graders to 4 masked school district representatives from Knoxville, Melcher-Dallas, Pleasantville, and Twin Cedars school districts by project lead, T. Waldmann-Williams in mid-May. This concluded the biggest portion of the Literacy Project grant the club received from The Rotary Foundation and Rotary Club of Knoxville. In the four school districts, over 650 books were give to 2nd graders (3 books each), ten 2nd grade classrooms, and teachers and others who assisted in completing this project. Additionally each city library was given the Little Big Book of How, which all 2nd graders received and any additional books that were purchased during the project. Approximately 25 Rotarians, RYLA-YRYLArians, and Rotary friends participated in labeling, reading to 2nd graders, and distributing. Besides labeling and distributing the final book, each was sanitized and put in a separate plastic bag because of COVID-19 precautions. The club would like to thank The Knoxville Public Library Director, Roslin Thompson and her staff for providing guidance and ordering of most of the books.
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2nd Distribution of Books to Schools210 2nd graders and 10 teachers from the Knoxville, Melcher-Dallas, Pleasantville, and Twin Cedars school districts were presented with Iowa author Jill Esbaum's book "Little Kids First Big Book of How" on January 27. At each school district, Ms. Esbaum presented how, when, and why she started writing and encouraged the 2nd graders to start writing. She shared her first story, which she wrote when she was in 2nd grade. Each presentation was followed by a Q&A primarily from students and some teachers. In collaboration with Knoxville Public Library, librarians created a one page Scavenger Hunt page that encourages 2nd graders to complete. Each 2nd grader, upon completion will get a choice of a balsa wood puzzle that includes airplanes, insects, and prehistoric animals. Knoxville Public Library is also creating a trivia contest for 2nd graders to enter that includes questions related to the book. Each city library will receive a copy of Ms. Esbaum's book. The 3rd and last distribution will be in the Spring.
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1st Distribution of Literacy ProjectRotary Club of Knoxville has a 2019-2020 literacy project that delivers three books to every 2nd grader Knoxville, Melcher-Dallas, Pleasantville, and Twin Cedars school districts. The students received their 1st level appropriate books to assist their development on Monday, November 25 and Tuesday Nov. 26 . Each book includes the Rotary 4-way test and the student's name. Rotarians asked questions how the 4-Way test is relevant to the student's everyday behaviors and along with two YRYLArians read to the students. Iowa author Author Jill Esbaum will be coming in January to talk with 2nd graders at each school and Rotary will deliver the 2nd book to them by Ms. Esbaum
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Oct 16, 2019 Featured Speaker & HostAaron Fuller hosted featured speaker, Jodi Marti, U.S. Army. Jodi shared her tour of duty at Kosovo between 2016-2018, that included her duties, food, shopping, driving, traveling, culture, politics, and her son's education through K-12 Online. .jpeg) |
Rotary Participates in Panther WalkSeveral members of Rotary participated in the Panther Walk with the Stepping Stones and West Elementary School. Several donated water for the event too.
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Bandstand Progress 2019 Rotary Club of Knoxville rebuilt the bandstand at the courthouse 15 years ago (2004) after the first one burned. President Tyler Christian realized that it needed sprucing up for our 80th anniversary and asked Larry Formanek to lead the initiative. Members power washed, stained, and Weiller Industries is cleaning the plates. These are some progress pictures. Another work day will be coming soon. .jpg) |
Sept 11, 2019Speakers: Jayette Carter on 2019 RYLA and Jean Berger on Girls High School Athletic Union
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Rotary Donates to Southern IA Honor Flight |
District Governor VisitsDistrict Governor Erna Morain and her husband Steve Morian visited the board and the club on Aug 28, 2019. President Tyler Christian provided the foundation to learn and DG Morian shared her goals: supporting those with food insecurity (our can monies support this); learning the Rotary Game; Guinness World Record for Presidents passing the gavel; Family Connections, etc.
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RYLA-YRYLA Recipients Share their Story |
Area 10 Clubs Work Together3 Pella Rotarians and RYLArian
 came and helped the Knoxville Club during Nationals |
Steve Mott receives George H. Andrew "Service Above Self Award"Steve Mott, 40 year Rotarian received the club's highest honor, George H. Andrew Service Above Self Award on June 19, 2019.
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Will Prather: Paul E. Hellwege Guardian of IntegrityWill Prather receives District 6000 Paul E. Hellwege: Guardian of Integrity Recognition  |
Protect Our Children Signs at Elementary SchoolsRotary Club of Knoxville partnered with the city and MidAmerica Energy to put up two signs each at Northstar Elementary and West Elementary.
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Rotary Club of Knoxville IA: End Polio Now CampaignRotary Club of Knoxville IA’s End Polio Now event is Tuesday October 24, 2017 at the Red Rock Grill & Still (124 S 2nd St, Knoxville, IA 50138), from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. $20/person for appetizers, plated meal, and desserts with 50% of the proceeds to END POLIO NOW. Your $10 Donation becomes $30 because the Gates Foundation matches every dollar raised with $2. Please consider giving, every and any donation counts. Rotary members in Knoxville IA are among millions reaching out on World Polio Day, October 24, 2017 to raise awareness, funds, and support to end polio – a vaccine-preventable disease that still threatens children in parts of the world today. Without full funding and political commitment, this paralyzing disease could return to previously polio-free countries, putting children everywhere at risk.
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District Governor Visits Knoxville Club
DG Loring Miller and his wife Phyllis visited Knoxville to energize the club in several ways: District Goals; membership; Foundation; and the 4-way Test. He used the Presidential Theme - "You are A Gift to The World."
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Harv Sprafka named George H. Andrew Service Above Self Recipeient for 2011
Knoxville Rotary Club President, Christine Buttell, presents Harv Sprafka with the George H. Andrew "Service Above Self" award. The awared was originally conceived in 2005, when Sprafa was servicen as the Club's President. He wanted to name it after Adnrew because of Andrew's decades of service ot the club and the community. Andrew passeed away last month. Sprafka has been a member of Rotary for several years. He is the former Mayor of Knoxville, former Police Chief and continues to volunteer and serve in various charitable capacities within the Knoxville Community. Sprafka came to Knoxville in 1975. He was joined at the awards presentation Wednesday by his family. photo by Steve Woodhouse, copy courtesy of Knoxville Journal Express
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Knoxville Rotary Awards Scholarships |
Kathy Caviness named George Andrew Servcie Above Self Recepient for 2010Congratulations to Kathy Cavinss, the George Andrew Service Above Self recepient for 2011 http://journalexpress.net/local/x436930119/Caviness-excited-stunned-to-receive-award/print
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Quote of the Week - Who Said It?
We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world.
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Thought for the Week - Who Said It?
An optimist is the human personification of spring.
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Mark Your Calendars!
Here you can post little tidbits of information, reminders, or anything else!
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Rotary Club of Knoxville offers 3 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)Rotary Club of Knoxville offered three Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) to Riley Fisk, Samantha (Sami) Thompson, and Nolan Crossett. They attend the RYLA conference in July 13-18,2014 along with 172 other high school award recipients from Districts 6000 and 5970. There were 44 supporting counselors and Rotarians including T. Waldmann-Williams. The three recipients shared their learnings with Rotarians on July 24. The picture from left to right is Nolan Crossett, Gary Anderson, T. Waldmann-Williams, Sami Thompson, Riley Fisk, and Riley's mother Helen Wares. This was a life changing experience for many. Gary and T. worked with Kevin Crawford and the high school counselors to select our three award recipients. |
Club gives 16 scholarships in 2014Rotary Club of Knoxville give 16 scholarships through Dollars for Scholars to 1 Pleasantville student and 15 Knoxville students. Pictured left to right are 1st Row: Margaret (Maggie) Murphy, Brianna Davis, Jordan (Jory) Wallace, Rachel Humeston, and Rachel Worthington. 2nd Row: Kaylea Thill, Rachel Morgan, Brad Shearer, Jamie Hunt, Madison (Maddie) Chrisman, and Marissa Lenger. 3rd Row: Megan Molloy, Brendan Finan, Carolyn (Carrie) Adrian, Chase Higginbotham, and Brody Dingle. Our Scholarship Committe included: Mike Lane (chair), Steve Mott, Larry Formanek, Chris Hoegh, Kevin Crawford, and Adam Norris |
Rotarian Chris Knapp and wife, Vernette win bid for Rotary Club of Knoxville BasketThank you to Pennie Sommar and Dave Hoch (Iowa State Savings Bank); Tom Schmeh (Knoxville Raceway); Sara McKay (Cobbelstone Hotel & Suites); Chris Hoegh (Marion County Title Company); and T. Waldmann-Williams (TWW Consulting LLC) for donating to a Rotary Club of Knoxville Basket. Our basket brought $200 at a live auction. Rotarian Chris Knapp (Rotary Club of Iowa City AM) and his wife Vernette got the winning bid. Knapp is a leader and active in our Youth Exchange program. |
Former Inbound Youth Exchange Individuals Return "Home" |
Pennie Sommar receives G. Andrew Spirit Above Self Award (2013)/PennieSommar_2013_GeorgeAndrewAwards_JasonMaasda.JPG)
Pennie Sommar receives the 2013 Rotary Club of Knoxville Dr. George H. Andrew Service Above Self Award on February 12, 2014. Ms. Sommar, Vice President - Iowa State Savings Bank, is the ninth recipient of the award. Sommar generously offers her time and talents in our community by leading and participating in many activities and events for Rotary and community organizations. Pennie spoke lovingly of her father who was her role model. “I learned from my dad. Although I didn’t understand why he was always gone when I was young, I learned that he continued to give back to our community because he was served by others. He is my hero and role model. There is nothing like community helping community. I get so much from giving. It’s my way of now giving back.”
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