Youth Merit Awards

Arch McIntosh, Headmaster, Charlotte Latin School opened the program with some oversight about the college admission process and how competitive it has become. After introducing his co-presenter Ernest Winston, Chief of Staff at Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, he remarked that there is much bad news coming from high schools, but he was going to focus on the good news.

He commented that he had attended an admissions conference at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California last year. The meeting was addressed by the Director of Admissions who stated that their acceptance rate was 6.1 percent and that they prided themselves in their diversity at the same time. He went on to say that the acceptance rate for the parents of current students was about 40 percent and about 80 percent for their grandparents. That is how much the admissions process has changed. At an ethics discussion at Princeton, Arch learned that they turned away 300 students with perfect SAT scores last year. Sat Scores topped out at 1600 for many years. They now have a top score of 2400. Arch indicated that Harvard accepts students at a 5.1 percent rate. He also mentioned that Vanderbilt turned away students with ACT scores of less than 35. The top score for ACT is 36. He also discouraged using the U.S. News and World Report on universities. He said that they gave a bad name to too many schools and too much credit to only a few. He summarized at the end that the admissions process is insanity and that he was trying to bring back some sanity. He said in most cases, it has become a lottery and that students are now preparing a resume’ to send to schools. He tries hard to coach students and parents about the process and understands how stressful the process has become. He then proceeded to praise the students for all their hard work, creativity and commitment to service. Following are the Youth Merit Award Winners from public and private high schools in this region. 2015 Alyssa Cunningham - Renaissance School at Olympic Forrest Hamil - Charlotte Country Day School Shelby Baker - David W. Butler High School John Kaspar - Providence Day School Grabriel Delgado - Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology Alessandra Aquilar - South Mecklenburg High School Caroline Bowen - Providence High School Grace Desena - William Amos Hough High School

REPORTER May 19, 2015

Jalil Pack - West Mecklenburg High School Hannah Little - East Mecklenburg High School Sydney Weaver - Charlotte Christian School Christina Faith McGee - Independence High School Alana Hadley - Ardrey Kell High School Kenneth Tucker Haas - Charlotte Latin School Antonia Adele Soja - Myers Park High School Wells Meakin - Hopewell High School Catherine Erin Sands - Charlotte Catholic High School Speaker Write Up: John Galles Head Table: Jill Santuccio, Jerry Coughter, Tony Zeiss, Arch McIntosh, Cynthia Marshall, Denise Hallett; Invocation: Suzanne Bledsoe; Visitors & Guests: Jeff Searcy; Song: Angela Broome; Health, Happiness & History: Natalie English; AV: Nikki Keith, Tom Bartholomy, Jessica Dupree; Photos: Bert Voswinkel

Club News Marcus Lee introduced the club’s newest Rotarian, John Gathings. John is an attorney at Moore & Van Allen and can be reached at johngathings@mvalaw.com. Welcome John!

Tom BartholomyPresident-Elect and Membership chair, , reports 42 new members have been brought into the club. This club’s programs, leadership and an already strong membership are what makes people want to become a part of this group. Did you know 250 guests have visited this year? Tom says keep ‘em coming and his committee will continue sending them a welcome message. Elizabeth Harrison Ron Campbell and are cranking up this year’s Rotary Scholarship Golf Classic, September 29th at Ballantyne Golf Club. Everyone is encouraged to support this event in some way…golf, auction item, sponsorship opportunity from your contacts/vendors. Your efforts will continue providing college scholarships for the families of our First Responders. Luther Moore Lee John Tabor recognized and for their tremendous commitment to The Rotary Foundation by becoming Level Two members of the Bequest Society. This means, the Tabor’s have made a provision in their Will to make a donation to The Rotary Foundation.

Dan RajkowskiCharlotte Knights’ BB&T Ballpark ( ) was voted the number one best Omar Kazzaz ballpark in the minor league; is launching a series of educational seminars

about international business and current world affairs. For additional information, visit http://conta.cc/1EPAr6z; 200 guests attended the Abilities Illuminated Philanthropy Dinner

Davan Cloninger Dena Diorio to benefit services provided by LIFESPAN ( ); is named as one of the 100 most powerful women in Lake Norman. Approve for Membership (comments to the Rotary office by 5/26/15) Jessica L. Whitaker (Human Resources, Payroll Service) Flex-Pay Payroll Services Sponsor: Saeed Moghadam Endorsed: Davie Veach and Alice Harrison Ed Wadsworth is looking for club members to serve as host families for Anna and Radim (Myers Park High & Charlotte Latin), who will arrive from the Czech Republic and Germany in August. ed@wadsworthgroup.net. Visitors on 05/19/15 Chris Helsabeck, Mahlek Pothemont, Burt Davis, Lauren McDowell, Siobhan Nestor, Sara Dir, Shanmugavel, Jessica Whitaker, Raul Santana

NEW ADDRESS FOR THE ROTARY OFFICE, EFFECTIVE MAY 11, 2015 1850 East 3rd Street, Ste 220

Charlotte, NC 28204 UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS (5/26/15 – 6/01/15 ) 05/26 Don Millen 05/29 John Galles, Brad Crotts 05/30 Craig Simpson, Greg Hatcher UPCOMING ANNIVERSARIES (5/26/15 – 6/01/15) 05/26 Justine & David Tobin, Christine & Phil Volponi 05/27 Mariana & Mike Orzech, Sandra & Luther Moore 05/28 Karen & Doug Bean, Jessica & Devin Dupree 05/29 Lori & Glenn Paton, Claire & Brent Trexler 05/30 Deanna & Craig Simpson 05/31 Joan & Paul Wyche 06/01 Saline & Don Millen, Beth & Don Steger Visitors & Guests 40 Club Members 148 Total 188 Percentage 51.9% MEMBERSHIP 05/19/2015 319 07/01/2014 317 Net Increase: +2 New Members: Mike Restaino, John Gathings Resignations: Wells Van Pelt, Ron Mikels UPCOMING LUNCHEONS (www.charlotterotary.org and click on the events tab) 05/26 – John Allison, Former President & CEO, Cato Institute; Retired Chairman & CEO, BB&T 06/02 – Phil DuBois, University of North Carolina at Charlotte 06/09 – Chase Saunders and Lucia Griffith, Soccer Initiative 06/19 - Michael Marsicano, Foundation for the Carolinas

Photos from our luncheons and other events can be found on Flickr Click here

charlotterotary.org 704.375.6816 1850 East 3rd Street | Suite 220 | Charlotte, NC 28204 USA Rotary Club of Charlotte