DICTIONARY PROJECT

Dictionary Project:Engaging Early Literacy – Lexington Park Rotarians annually distribute some 600 dictionaries to third graders in 15 elementary schools throughout the southern portion of St. Mary’s County. This is part of a District 7620 initiative to get a dictionary in the hands of every student in the state of Maryland and the District of Columbia where the District has a presence. Club members find a special reward in giving dictionaries to students who are instantly appreciative.

Bernie Taylor, Chair

FOUR WAY TEST SPEECH CONTEST

Four Way Test:Engaging Youth for Ethics – The entire Club, led by the President, recites the Four-Way Test at weekly meetings. Participation in the Four Way Speech Contest compete at the Club level and the winners compete at the District level. This committee ensures that contact is made with our district 4-way speech schools for candidate selection, schedule and submission timelines.  It is the leader ensures arrangements are made to give the speech candidates to have the opportunity to present their contest submission to the club at a weekly meeting.

Michael DeManss, Chair

SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarships Committee:Engaging for Educational Opportunity – This committee selects worthy candidates for the Scholastic and Vocational Scholarships. The college scholarships vary from year to year depending on programs and funds available. One-year academic and vocational scholarships are typically given each year in the amount of $1,000.00. Currently, the Club is funding four $1,000 conditional four year sustaining college scholarships. The Scholarship Committee also administers the endowed scholarship programs for: The Greg H. Clarke Aviation and Engineering Scholarship, The Ann Houston Green Music Scholarship, The Doris Darrah Math Education Scholarship and the Merritts Academic and Vocational scholarship.

Dr. Mel Powell, Chair

JOHN BAETON MARCO POLO AWARD

John Beaton/Marco Polo Award:Engaging in Educating the Educators -This Committee selects a worthy teacher from St. Mary’s County to receive a $2,000.00 grant to be used for travel. The international travel is intended to broaden the professional horizons of an already dynamic teacher. Each year, the leader reviews the criteria for award selection and establishes a subcommittee to vet the applicants and select a winner.

Susan Paul, Chair

Service Above Self Award:

District Governor Greg Wins congratulates the 2017 Service Above Self recipient – Coach Tyrone Bell

Service Above Self:  Engaging Community Excellence – This committee selects and recognizes members of the community who have gone “above and beyond”. The awards are given on the annual Charter Night event. An adjunct award recognizes worthy First Responders from the local Volunteer Fire Department and Sheriff’s Department.

Jane Sypher, Chair

TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Teacher of the Year Dinner:Engaging to Recognize Educational Excellence – This committee organizes a joint project with nearby St. Mary’s County Rotary Clubs to recognize the outstanding teachers in St. Mary’s County. A teacher of the Year is also named.   This committee identifies public and non- public honorees, selects a suitable venue for the event and coordinates ticket sales to the public.

Linda Lymas, Zora Siemasko, Co-Chairs

SO MANY JOURNEYS WAITING FOR U

So Many Journeys Waiting For U:Engaging for College Advocacy – The program, supported by an anonymous donor in honor of Mr. S.M. and Dr. Jane Wu is meant to assist in early college awareness among those not typically associated with going to college.  This program is facilitated twice weekly as an after school program by a small team headed by the College Access Program counselor at Great Mills High School. The Rotary Club of Lexington Park stewards the funds.  The Club also provides a weekly guest program facilitator, typically associated with the members’ vocations or avocations.  To date, Rotarians have offered varied hands-on exercises for the 40 plus enrolled 9^th-10^th graders at Great Mills High School.  A similar college readiness program under the SMJWU mantle began for nearby Spring Ridge Middle School for 7^th and 8^th graders in early December, 2014.

George Hurlburt, Co-ordinator

TREE PLANTING PROJECT

Members of the Rotary Club of Lexington Park plant trees on the 2018 Earth Day weekend in response to a Rotary International worldwide initiative to plant trees. A tree can absorb as much as 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year and can sequester 1 ton of carbon dioxide by the time it reaches 40 years old. Rotarians Frank Taylor and Paula Coxon (Center Panel) spearheaded the effort.

Frank Taylor and Paula Coxon, Co-Chairs