It is a remarkably beautiful Spring in Texas - cool, wet, with magnificent wild flower displays along Texas highways and roads. The floral display seems to me, a great exclamation point for the year that I have served as President of our club. It is hard to believe that the year is almost over and yet we will finish strong before handing the reigns to our highly-capable leadership team for 2019-20. Lance Winter, Gregory Ross, and I have been talking about how to continue the momentum that we've gained in the last few years; we're still getting new members and exploring new ways to make San Marcos a better, more livable community. Seth
Rotary International's Theme for May
The opportunities that Rotary International provides students who have ambitions to solve the world's problems empower young people to be change agents, sometimes paying for entire degree programs at prestigious schools around the world. Many pay all expenses including travel. Inform yourself about it and tell others. You could be the catalyst to helping a young person make the world a better, safer, happier place.
Through Rotary International's service projects, peace fellowships, and scholarships, our members are taking action to address the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, inequality, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources. Can our club be of service here? Is it within the reach of our club to facilitate projects that involve youth and teaches them that they can be problem solvers through service.
Speaking of involving youth... Latest communique from our International Exchange student in France.
Sofia Ramirez
Hello, Bonjour, Hallo, Ahoj, and Ciao! Didn't feel like saying it in one language after traveling all over Europe! The last two weeks of April were the best days of my life! I will go on to explain. This past two week holiday I went on a trip called Eurotour with all the students of my district, 50 students, and another district which lies in the north of France, 15 students. We traveled to 10 countries in a period of 14 days! These countries included France (Paris), Belgium (Brussels), Netherlands (Amsterdam), Germany (Berlin), Czech Republic (Prague), Slovakia (Bratislava), Austria (Vienna), Slovenia (Postonja), Italy (Venice and Milan), and Switzerland (Geneva)! Wow did I have an incredible time! I learned so much about Europe and its history and culture that I never knew before! I visited places such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Basilique du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre, Notre-Dame, Place de la Concorde, Arc de Triomphe, the Atomium, the house of Anne Frank, the Soviet War Memorial, the Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, Memorial of the Murdered Jews in Europe, Altes Museum, Berlin Cathedral, Sachsenhausen concentration camp, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, John Lennon Wall, the concert hall where Mozart played when he was eight, the house that Beethoven lived in, the caves in Postonja, St. Mark's Square, Grand Canal, Milan Cathedral, and the U.N. office in Geneva. At the end of the trip, everyone cried because we had to say goodbye to the other district who we'll probably never see again and also because of the best trip of our lives. That was my unforgettable month! Thank you for reading! Sofia RamirezTexas State's International Piano Festival
In preparation for the Texas State International Piano Festival, which will be held June 1 - 9th, Dr. Jason Kwak and rising star pianists from the TXS Piano program performed for our club in May. Now in its 10th year, this year's festival brings young people from 40 countries. The event will be recorded for the second year in a row by NPR's nationally broadcast program From the Top. (participants from last years festival pictured above). For more information CLICK HERE.
Rotary Club Road Trip for Youth
Several club members are participating in a service project that aims at giving students from the SMHS FFA Program a real West Texas experience at the Independence Day Rodeo in Del Rio, Texas. The event is the primary fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Del Rio and their club has provided box seating for the students. Any and all club members are welcome to participate. Talk to Seth or Rico if you'd like to participate.
2018-19 Rotary International Vision Statement: Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
