The Ambassadorial Scholars Are In The House

As always, this event is one of the most uplifting and positive events one could attend in Rotary. Each of the students selected to receive a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship in the world is truly the best of the best, in all aspects of his /her relatively young life, as you will see.

For those that are not familiar with the Ambassadorial Scholar Program, it is the Rotary Foundation's oldest program. Since 1947, nearly 37,000 men and women from 100 nations have studied abroad under its auspices. Today, it is the world's largest privately funded international scholarship program. Nearly 800 scholarships totaling $500 million were awarded for study in 2005-2006 to recipients from 70 countries studying in more than 70 countries. The purpose of the Ambassadorial Scholarships program is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people in different countries. The program sponsors several types of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students as well as for qualified professionals pursuing vocational studies. While abroad, scholars serve as ambassadors of goodwill to the people of the host country and give presentations about their homelands to Rotary clubs and other groups. Upon returning home, scholars share with Rotarians and others the experiences that led to greater understanding of their host countries. Generous contributions from Rotarians worldwide represent continued faith that the students who are Ambassadorial Scholars today will be tomorrow's community and world leaders.

There are three Ambassadorial Scholar recipients studying in District 5280 in the 2006-2007 academic year (known as inbound scholars). Corinna Mueller is from Germany; she is attending UCLA, where her major is International Relations; her counselor is PP John Jaacks from the Palos Verdes Peninsula Rotary Club. Shane Whisker is from Ireland but sponsored by a Welsh Rotary club; he is attending the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute where he is studying acting; his counselor is Ferris Wehbe from the Hollywood Rotary Club. Hideaki Katagishi is from Japan; he is attending UCLA where his major is Computer Science (Programming); his counselor is Scott Shiota from the Torrance Rotary Club.

Each of the three addressed the group about their background, their areas of study, their goals in attending a foreign educational institution, and their appreciation to Rotary for the opportunity. Following their remarks, the Scholars and their counselors met with PDG Vicki Radel to learn their responsibilities while studying here, which include making presentations to 10-15 different Rotary clubs, participating in their host club's activities whenever possible, and attending two District Breakfasts, the Paul Harris Celebration, and the District Conference.

Also in attendance were past Ambassadorial Scholars Daniel Stamm (AFI) and Hide Ichieru (UCLA) who also spoke of their appreciation and honor of participating in this program.

Those locally sponsored Scholars that are studying overseas (known as outbound scholars) were not in attendance because they are in residence at their foreign educational institutions. You heard last week from Brent Giannotta who is attending the American University in Cairo, Egypt; your Editor is the lucky counselor and Wilshire Rotary Club of Los Angeles is the sponsoring club. Aram Nadjarian is studying at the University of Sussex in Brighton, England; Dr. Fred Kiesner is his counselor from the Westchester Rotary Club. Elana Wien is attending the Universidad de las Americas-Puebla in Puebla, Mexico; Marjorie Heller from LA5 is her counselor.

Please make an effort to meet these wonderful people, help them schedule their presentations, and/or host them to one of your club's events and you will never regret it. If you are interested in being a counselor, contact Vicki Radel or Larry Ybarra and volunteer. It will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your Rotary life. HONEST!