Rotarian Luncheon

I teach in a school where there are 58 different nationalities and 65 different languages are spoken. A Rotarian appeared at our school and was looking for two students to attend a Rotarian Convention that was taking place in Canmore at the end of May. I recommended two students who I have taught to attend the four day Rotarian convention. One student took a computer course and another took a financial management course from me. Both were grade 11 students. There were students representing schools from throughout Alberta and the Rotarians who attended were from clubs from across Canada. The theme of the convention was about leadership. The guest speakers at the convention were individuals such as Craig Kielberger, of WE THE PEOPLE, Amanda Lindhot who was kidnapped and held hostage for 400 days and Samantha Nutt a social activist for the poor. The two students I sent had to make presentations at the convention to the Rotarians on what they could do to give back to society. The two students after the convention were invited to the Coast Plaza on June 22 to give a presentation to the Rotarian Club that sponsored the two students at their monthly business meeting. Using an I phone and the internet the two girls gave a 20 minute presentation on what had transpired at the convention . They projected the presentation using a computer plugged into the internet from which they downloaded their prezi presentation and projected onto a screen with a video data projector. Using their I phone as their notes they delivered a speech that had the Rotarians engaged and in tears. The Rotarians are going to contribute their time and money to help the students with their community project to help young people recognize the symptoms of depression and seek help. As their teacher , I was invited to attend the luncheon where the girls delivered their presentation. In the photo, I am sporting my 100th anniversary Calgary Stampede Commemorative jacket. As a teacher , it is rewarding when you can help students become active participants in community service. At the end of the presentation, the Rotarians gave the two girls a framed certificate for their presentation. One of the girl's is Amerasian and the other girl is Chinese Vietnamese who are second generation Canadians. Many of the new immigrants to Canada have suffered severe hardships before coming to Canada and when they arrive there is the culture shock of learning a new language and trying to earn a living. I am always amazed at the resiliency of the new immigrants when faced with their hardships but they came to Canada so their children could have a better life.