Waitpersons Lisa, Meghan and Ashton were thanked for their excellent service to the club at Hart's
President Mike introduced Gary to conduct the evening program recognizing the incoming and outgoing Interact members and their officers. He introduced Interact President Eli and noted that there are currently 43 Interact members at Interlakes. Gary gave a brief summary about Interact and then invited those Interact members and Rotarians present to stand and ceremoniously welcomed the new Interact inductees.
Keynote Speaker Jaimie Sousa addressed the group: “Becoming a Part of Your Community by Giving Back”. Jaimie related her experience coming to live in the Lakes Region; how she was welcomed and what she has done to become part of her new community. Today her goal is for everyone she meets to feel as at home and welcome in the Lakes Region as she does. She believes it “takes a village to make anything happen!”. She spoke of the value of “making connections”; of networking: and of doing “that which makes you happy”. She urged the students to continue their service wherever they go.
Eli and Jasmine Schmalle were recognized as among the very first Plaque Holders.
Gary recognized out-going Officers: Eli, Gable Busby, Reagan Buhrman and Jasmine Schmalle Returning and Incoming Officers were also recognized and introduced. They include: President Jasmine Morrissette, Vice President Joe DeTolla; Secretary Brendan Bunnell, Treasurer Ian McCabe, Grade 10 Director Aalianna Marietta, Grade 11 Director Maya Weil-Cooley and Grade 12 Director Jaydie Halperin. Many of these students were committee chairs and activity leaders this school year.
Service Above Self Awards were presented to: Maya Weil-Cooley who completed the MOST service hours this year; Joe DeTola, Alyssa Floyd and Brendan Bunnell
Member of the Year: Jasmine Morrissette.
Out-going President Eli passed the gavel to Jasmine to everyones applause. In his closing remarks he thanked Rotarians Gary and Rick for all their hard work. He thanked his fine fellow officers and, in particular, he thanked his mother, his dedicated driver and his father, who got him to visit Africa, for all they have done for him. In closing Eli commented: “I was once a ‘troubled guy’; and now am a leader”.