Rotary Club of Kernersville

Our club’s annual Rotary Youth Leadership Academy week continues with Law Enforcement day, where students got some hands on, interactive time with our local police force. A huge thank you to the law enforcement professionals at the Kernersville Police Department who took time out of their day to spend with these young leaders!

Looking back at the first day of our Rotary Youth Leadership Academy week. This day was dedicated to leadership skills. Great participation by these high school students and future leaders!

Our club’s Rotary Youth Leadership Academy week is well underway. Today these high schoolers from East Forsyth and Glenn have been learning about our town’s history. We visited the Little Schoolhouse, Kernersville Museum, Körner’s Folly and Kernersville Moravian Church, among other stops!

This morning our club heard from Loren Hill, Carolina Core Regional Economic Development Director, about the successes to date and future plans of this program. The Carolina Core refers to the corridor along Hwy 421 in the central part of NC, promoted as a prime destination for businesses seeking to start or expand. Since the program's inception, there have been tens of thousands of jobs created and many billions of dollars invested in the region.

Thank you to Loren for sharing all the exciting news about major economic growth in our area!
https://nccarolinacore.com/

Here is updated information on the Fourth of July parade!…

As another Rotary year comes to an end and a new one begins, we gathered for our annual banquet to celebrate. Many thanks to our fearless leader, outgoing Club President Joey Herman, for helping us achieve success this year. And we are looking forward to serving alongside incoming President Donna Rodgers in the year ahead.

Rotary District #7690 Governor Van Lankford was even on hand to install our incoming club officers and directors.

How do we measure a successful year in Rotary?...
--How many people did we help and how many lives did we change for the better?
--Did we enjoy fun and fellowship with like-minded friends?
--Did we put service to others above ourselves?
--Did we make new contacts to help us improve our business pursuits?
--Were we able to pool our talents and work as a team to achieve our goals?

Yes!!!

Less than two weeks before our run. Make sure you sign up today and tell your friends and family! https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Kernersville/4thofJuly5k

Last night was the Installation Banquet for our District 7690 team for 2024-25. Our District Governor will be Ron Pierce - https://rotary7690.org/resources/club-administration-next-year/ -

We had a big program this week centered around community connection! Suzanna Ritz Malliett, Executive Director at Körner’s Folly, gave us a glimpse of the newly opened John & Bobbie Wolfe Visitors Center at Körner's Folly. She shared plans for further renovation and development at the Folly.

We also had an opportunity to present a BIG CHECK to the Folly for completion of the new Arnold King Pathway on the grounds. This project is funded as a partnership between the Rotary Club of Kernersville and the Kernersville Foundation, in memory of a fearless leader of both organizations: Arnold King.

Arnold was a charter member of our Kernersville club, a two-time President, a Rotary District #7690 Governor, and the 'patriarch' of our club. Often referred to as 'Mr. Rotary', Arnold would be proud of this commitment from our club to the Kernersville community. We were able to celebrate the honor with many family members and Rotary friends in attendance.

Rotary Club of Kernersville - 29th Annual 4th of July 5K - https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Kernersville/4thofJuly5k - https://www.facebook.com/kernersville4thofjuly5k/

NEW MEMBERS ALERT: Welcome to the world's newest Rotarians, Miguel Lara and Martin McGowan! Miguel is the Sales Manager at Modern Nissan of Winston Salem and Martin is the Business Development Manager at NETcom Cabling & Security. Both are raising families in our community and are interested in getting to know others and giving back in meaningful ways.

Pictured (l-to-r) are sponsor J.G. Wolfe, Miguel and Martin.

There's still time to get signed up for the Rotary Club of Kernersville 4th of July 5k Run before the entry fee increases, but you better be speedy!...

Rotary Club of Kernersville 4th of July 5K Run The Rotary Club of Kernersville 4th of July 5K Run is on Thursday July 4, 2024. It includes the following events: 5K Run/Walk and Kid's Fun Run/Walk.

We recently had the opportunity to recognize and hear from our 2024 Forsyth Tech scholarship winners. Each year, our club awards scholarships to deserving students attending the college. Pictured here are this year's winners Brooklyn “BJ” James from East Forsyth (right) and Micah McCloud from Glenn (left).

Best of luck to these gentlemen!

Major Andrew Wiley with The Salvation Army of Greater Winston-Salem, NC spoke to our club today about the excellent work being done in our area to help those in need. As part of that network, The Salvation Army Kernersville Corps has a large food pantry that has served thousands in Kernersville. Food and monetary donations are always welcomed.

We learned an interesting fact today: perishable foods in the food pantry that are past their prime go to the local reptile center and feed the animals -- waste not, want not!!

Thank you to Asheley Cooper, the new Executive Director of The Shepherd's Center of Kernersville, Inc., for sharing with our club about all the wonderful things the Center is doing for our aging residents in Kernersville.

Many people are aware that the Shepherd's Center loans out medical equipment and provides active senior activities. But did you know that volunteers regularly help folks with their grocery shopping? And that volunteers completed over 600 tax returns at no charge for those who couldn't afford to do it themselves this year??

These are just a few examples of why the Shepherd's Center is a special organization...and why Kernersville is a special community filled with those who want to help others 👍👏!

We will be serving up delicious 'fair foods' and drinks at Spring Folly 2024 in downtown Kernersville today and tomorrow (Fri & Sat). All proceeds go back to the Kernersville community through our club's many projects serving local youth, the underprivileged, and others. Who's up for a funnel cake???🥮 A cold soda???🥤 Look for the Rotary booth near the main stage!

Last week we held our club's annual Scholastic Banquet, recognizing the top 10 Seniors and top 10 Juniors at both East Forsyth and Glenn High Schools. A huge congratulations to this years recipients (see the photos for the list of winners) -- we wish you the very best in all of your life's pursuits!

Each year, the senior groups from each school get to nominate their favorite teacher for special recognition -- a highlight of the event. Congratulations to teachers Lindsey Parnell from Glenn and Scott Sapp from East for receiving this honor, and for the impact you've had on these students!

More photos from the event can be found here: https://kernersvillerotary.org/scholastic-awards-ceremony/

The 2024 Rotary District 7690 Conference is in the books and a great time was had by all in New Bern!

Our Kernersville crew returned with some serious hardware:
--The Governor's Platinum Club Award is given only to the highest-achieving clubs in the district.
--We secured the coveted Triple Crown Award for our support of The Rotary Foundation.
--Our club received awards for most funds raised and highest per capita giving to CART (Coins for Alzheimer's Research Trust).

These awards prove one thing: As dedicated Rotarians, we are serious about helping others and making the world a better place!

Thank you to Anthony Gurley, Author of Deadly Dilemma: A Memoir, who shared his personal story of struggles against self doubt and poor self image with our club today.

Mental health is extremely important and issues related to it are very real, but they are often overlooked or ignored. Anthony has had the courage to share his own story in an effort to help others cope with these issues and find hope. Check out his book if you know of someone who can benefit from it.

Today our club awarded college tuition scholarships to four local students as part of our 'Service Above Self Scholarships' program. These scholarships have been presented annually for more than 35 years! The selection criteria are weighted in favor of those students who have exhibited strong positive character and demonstrated a propensity toward volunteerism and service to other individuals and organizations, in addition to academic excellence.

Congratulations to the following 2024 scholarship recipients:
From Glenn H.S., Sarah Sawtelle and Kimberly Wyramon.
From East Forsyth H.S., Brianna Alpaca Barreros and Emerie Hilton.

Best of luck to these students as they continue to make their mark on the world by helping others!

Congratulations to Jordan Moore for receiving the Coach Whitney Fisher scholarship, awarded here by Josh Pratt! This annual scholarship is given by Savage Roasters, LLC in loving memory of 'Coach Whitney', whose passion for her students went well beyond the sport of volleyball.

Our club had the opportunity to contribute toward this scholarship for 2024. Be sure to contact Savage Roasters Coffee if you would like to play a role in growing it and helping other deserving students going forward.

https://savageroasters.com/pages/tribute-to-coach-whitney

We had an interesting program today presented by Trey Kinsey on "The Dark Side of Leadership". Yes, excellent leadership skills (think influence) can be used for good or evil, e.g., Abraham Lincoln vs. Adolf Hi**er.

The great thing is that skills that could be interpreted as negative personality traits can be turned into positive influence and outcomes.

This interesting topic is one of several covered as part of the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program this summer conducted by our Rotary district. Our club is sponsoring a high school student from East Forsyth and Glenn to attend the leadership program.

Drum roll please 🥁... April is the final month of the school year for us to recognize the Rotary Club of Kernersville Students & Teachers of the Month! From Glenn High School (l-to-r): Students Marcelo Blackwell and Jaydon Jefferson, and Teacher Katie Correll. From East Forsyth High School: Students Lilly Pike (pictured) and Michael Mullins, and Teacher Mrs. Vera (not pictured).

A big shout out to this month's recipients - congrats!!

NEW MEMBERS ALERT: A belated Facebook "welcome" to our two newest Kernersville Rotarians: Thomas Gibson and Irvin Williams! Thomas (pictured solo) is a Process Engineer with TexTech Industries. Irvin (pictured to the left of his sponsor Tom Fitzgerald) is the Owner and Executive Chef at NOLA Catering.

Both have a heart for service and are interested in being more connected to their community!

https://www.nolacatering.info/
https://textechindustries.com/

Did you know that Boy Scout Troop 940 is chartered by the Rotary Club of Kernersville? The troop has a pine needle fundraiser going on right now -- get your yard and/or business looking good and help these scouts get to Florida at the same time!

So true!

Let's celebrate our March Students & Teachers of the Month! From Glenn High School (l-to-r): Students Nhi Son and Alexandra Luria Morales, and Teacher Ailene Carmichael. From East Forsyth High School (l-to-r): Students Christina King and Jackson Napier, and Teacher Alexis Callender (not pictured).

Congratulations to all of the award recipients!!

Our club sponsors an entry into the Rotary District #7690 Jim Armstrong 4-Way Test Speech Contest each year. This week we hosted the student we are sponsoring -- Avary Herman -- who delivered her speech to our club. WOW!

Avery posed the idea that the U.S. would be a completely different place if politicians abided by the 4-Way Test, the ethical guide Rotarians use in their personal and professional relationships. Her point is that her generation is disengaged from the political process because they don't have trust in political leaders. Politicians need to work harder to earn that trust through their actions. Well said, Avery!

If you want to be reassured that many our youth are actually headed in the right direction, attend the contest yourself at Randolph Community College on Feb. 23 at 9am.

Proud to recognize our club's students and teachers of the month for February this week -- congratulations to the award recipients!!

From Glenn H.S.: Students Kareen Soto-Chacin and Taylor Sherrod (pictured in foreground l-to-r), and Teacher Chrissy Jones

From East Forsyth H.S.: Students Niobe Brooks (pictured) and Christopher Loera-Saldana, and Teacher Leslie Norman (not pictured)