A bit from Murray: I am a native Kansan I have had more failures, AKA life experiences, than I can count. I have two degrees in business. One from McPherson College and the other from Emporia State University.
I am a Leadership Greater Topeka class of 2016 graduate—“best class forever.”
I have the best job in the world. I have been working for Youth Entrepreneurs of Kansas for the last 14 years where I teach Entrepreneurship at Topeka High School. I connect kids with opportunities. I have been validated with many awards. My favorite is NFTE Global’s Enterprising Educator of the Year for 2014.
I am a Rotarian, father and husband. I enjoy BBQ and bluegrass.
Who will win free dues for a year? There are nine Topeka South Rotarians hoping to walk away the big winner!
Each of them recruited, or worked with a fellow Rotarain to welcome a new member, during March Membership Madness. The following names will be placed in a hat to be drawn at Friday's meeting. Only one lucky Rotarian will have their dues paid for an entire year! The contestants are: Faron Barr, Paul Bossert, Scott Hesse, Dave Keating, Jenalea Randall, Jim Reardon, Alicia VanWalleghem, Jeff Wagaman and Jeanine Wells.
Seven new member applications were received between March 1 and 31. The new and potential new members (following the April 18 board meeting) are Dave Frederick, Patricia Hamilton, Terry Martinez, Sara Neiswanger, Greg Pert, Jared Underwood and Jacob Wamego. Welcome to Topeka South Rotary!
In addition, a number of TSR members welcomed guests during March Membership Madness activities which included Friday morning meetings, a tour of Vaerus Aviation, a social at the Norseman Brewing, and a number of service projects. Guests were hosted by Faron Barr, Paul Bossert, Liviu Florea, Kim Gronniger, Scott Hesse, Dave Keating, Jenalea Randall, Jim Reardon, Alicia VanWalleghem, Jeff Wagaman and Jeanine Wells. Each earned a US and Rotarian flags lapel pin. If you hosted a guest and your name is not on the list, please contact Jenalea.
RYLA 2017 is a five-day camp for incoming high school sophomores, juniors and seniors interested in developing leadership potential. The students will learn from business and community leaders about strengthening their leadership skills and abilities, promoting ethical behavior, and facilitating personal growth and self-awareness.
There are several past participants of this program that stated their experience was life-changing and made them more aware of their capabilities. It is common to see a student become emotional when talking about their experience with RYLA. For many students, this is their first exposure to Rotary and what we, as Rotarians, can accomplish.
The projects and exercises in this five-day camp are designed to get the students to think differently about certain situations and develop their own solutions with fellow students they may have not met before attending the camp. Many students worldwide, who have attended RYLA, have continued on to become members of an Interact, Rotaract, and eventually a Rotary club.
The University of Kansas in Lawrence will once again host District 5710's Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA) from June 4th - June 8th. The cost per student is $325 ($300 registration fee paid by the sponsoring club and $25 application fee paid by the student). 69 students attended last year's RYLA, engaging in a wide range of leadership development, team-building, civic engagement, and community service activities.
You can find the applications and brochure for the 2017 RYLA on the TSR website or by clicking these links: application or brochure. The applications along with the fee can be submitted to the District office address listed on the application.
We had a great tour last week at the 2016 Library of the Year. Check out TSR's Facebook page .jpg)
Who will win free dues for a year? There are nine Topeka South Rotarians hoping to walk away the big winner!
Deadline rapidly approaches!
Avondale West teacher lunch bunch will be Friday, May 5. We need 20-25 volunteers to attend, eat pizza and help us thank the teachers there. 
