2009 Youth Merit Awards
By George MacBain
 
                        
Today we had the pleasure of hosting the Charlotte Rotary Club Merit Award recipients for 2009 introduced by Club member Arch McIntosh of Charlotte Latin and Peter Gorman of Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. This is truly a "feel good" program our Club began years ago in an effort to recognize local high school seniors attending Independent and Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. Each area high school, with the assistance of the principal and guidance counselors, selects one senior that best represents their school with excellence in leadership, scholarship, and community service. This year's 22 recipients will receive from the Club $500 each payable to the college they will attend next fall. We should be most proud of these young people coming out of our high schools in Charlotte based on their many accomplishments.
 
The recipients include the following:
 

    
   
Head Table: Rick Jackson, Dumont Clarke, Mac McCarley, Arch McIntosh, Peter Gorman, Elsie Garner, Will Barnhardt;
Invocation: Tony Marciano;
Visitors & Guests: Gene Bratek; Health & Happiness: Tony Zeiss; Song: Alan Barnhardt; Piano: Thomas Moore; Photos: Bert Voswinkel

• Jerry Walters, Littler Mendelson, PC, is recognized by the Charlotte Business Journal's 40 Under 40; Wes Sturges was a bit shocked to receive a call from the Treasury Department asking if Tim Geithner could mention Bank of Commerce while addressing a convention of community bankers. Wes said 'certainly, since you're talking about good things." Myers & Chapman (Rick Handford and Bob Webb) won the "Green Renovation Project" award from Mecklenburg County.
          
• Pender McElroy was the recipient of the Florence Crittenton Services Lucille Giles Award. Pender was honored for his eighteen years of pro bono services to the agency and his years of service to the Charlotte community. President Mac McCarley was Master of Ceremony and Thomas Moore led the audience in singing the Invocation; Anna Katherine Moore, daughter of Luther Moore, was presented at the Charlotte Debutante Club's annual ball.
 
• Ed Wadsworth is working to line up a host family for next year's exchange student from France. He will be staying with Charlotte Country Day families in the Fall and Spring. If you would be able to host from December to March, contact Ed at 704-661-1770.
 
• The Annual Pet Festival & Walk will be held in Independence Park (300 Hawthorne Ln) May 30th from 8:30 to 1:00. Contact Jessica Dupree for additional information.
  
• ROSTER UPDATES are well underway. Changes to your profile are due to the Rotary office within the upcoming week. David Norman is available to take photos in the State room before and after Rotary on May 26. The cost will be $15. Appointments are not necessary.

Should you question the eligibility of any nominee, contact the Rotary office by 05/25/2009.