• Historical Highlights

        Of The

        Rotary Club of Bastrop County

        District 5870

         

        Youth Exchange Students

        January-June 1997 — President Wilfred Navarro

                 December 1998 — President Steve Taylor

        Wendy Steward, Australia

             Wendy, from Wongan Hill, Australia, was the Club’s first Exchange Student and came in January through December 1997. 

             Her host families were Rick and Yvonne Dyer in Cedar Creek; Wilfred and Dooley Navarro; and Susie and Tim Langford.  Dyers’ daughter, Tonya, was in Australia while Wendy was here. The Langford’s daughter, Abbey, was an exchange student to Australia in 1995 and Susie Langford was an exchange student in Australia when she was in high school.

             Besides her school studies of Algebra II, Business Computing Application, basketball, US History, Biology II, English and dance, she studied ballet with Holly Fritz in Smithville, and played tennis. 

             She took trips to New Braunfels, San Antonio, Tulsa and over the Spring Break to New Mexico.  

         

        Youth Exchange Students

        1998-1999

        President Derek Van Gilder

        Thais “Thata” Fredrich, Brazil

             Thata was on the Bastrop High School Girls Soccer Team and a member of the French Club.  She spoke Portuguese, English, French, some Spanish and was learning the Japanese language. 

             Thata went on the Southern Conference of Rotary Youth Exchange (SCRYE) trip before returning home in June 1999.

             Thata visited Bastrop in the home of  David and Shara Johnson again in 2003.

        Youth Exchange Students

        1999-2000

        President David Weir

        Breno Hernandez Santos, Brazil

             While in Bastrop, Breno was on the “Arsenal” soccer team during 1999 and on the Bastrop HS varsity soccer team during 2000.  He graduated in 2000 at Bastrop HS. 

             Breno went on the Southern Conference of Rotary Youth Exchange (SCRYE) students Western US Trip..

             He went to the Renaissance Festival in October 1999 and attended UT football games in 1999. 

             During February 2000 he visited the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.  In March 2000 he went to the Houston International Fest.  April 2000 he visited NASA, Galveston, Dallas and San Antonio

             Derek Van Gilder presented Breno with a Paul Harris Fellow in June 2000.

        Youth Exchange Students

         

        2000-2001

        President Travis Sheffield

        Lena Woudstra, Netherlands

             Earl and MaryAnn Walborg took Lena to visit Guatemala where MaryAnn has an export business.  David and Sharah Johnson took her on several other trips with their family. 

             September 2000, she went on the North East Texas (Longview) trip with other Exchange Students. 

             In February 2001, she traveled to Oklahoma City with other Exchange Students. 

             Derek Van Gilder presented Lena with a Paul Harris Fellow in May 2002.

           

        Youth Exchange Students

         

        2001-2002

        President David Johnson

        Anna Dreves, Germany

             Anna went on a trip to Houston for a Business and Professional Women’s District Conference with Bastrop BPW members in August 2003 during her return to the US to visit with David and Sharah Johnson.

             Anna was a member of the Austin Chamber Orchestra and the Bastrop High School Band Flag Corps.

             Anna graduated college in Germany and spent six months in 2004 in China teaching English.

              She is currently (2006) in Law School at the University of PASSAU, Germany.  She is also a member of Rotaract in Germany.

              She visited The Rotary Club of Bastrop County on 8-22-06 while staying with David and Sharah Johnson. 

             Derek Van Gilder presented Anna with a Paul Harris Fellow in April 2002.

         

        Youth Exchange Students

         

        2002-2003

        President Dolores Hestdalen

        Juha Koskinen, Finland

        Dear Bastrop County Rotarians,

             First of all I would like to thank every single Rotarian for all the support I received during this wonderful year.  I have to say that exchange year couldn’t be more better than it was for me.  I had such an experience over here I will not forget for the rest of my life.

              When I came here, it was something I didn’t expect it to be.  Actually I tried not to have any expectations at all, but of course everybody’s got stereotypes of Texas.  Some of them good and some of them...really good.  Well, the whole picture and understanding of the culture of Texas and USA opened up to me.  Texas was not covered by desert, there was plenty more than just local rednecks fighting in the local oyster-bar and no shoveling cow waste all day long.  But there was the Texas people — people I made life long friendships, people who taught me and made me see the world with better eyes and people who where just there, making my every day so interesting.  They were the people who showed me what Texas is really about: It is a great place to live, even when it gets so damn hot.  But let me say, I’m going to miss it in winter.

             I left absolutely no regrets behind of me.  Only joy, wisdom and good memories are with me.  I grew so much as a person during this year.  Not just physically, but mentally also.  And now I’m ready to take that wisdom with me back to my native country and share that wisdom with all the people there.                                                                                

              And remember, Y’all were the people who made it all happen.  By supporting me not only financially but also just being there and introducing yourself to me and welcoming me to your club.  You all are doing such a wonderful and unselfish job to make this world to be a better place to live for all human kind, and in my eyes every one of you is a hero and deserves my respect.

             I’m going to miss y’all, but life goes on, and for me it goes on back in Finland where the real party is just starting for me.  But in the future you will be able to find me from somewhere in the United States of America!

             I’ll keep in touch by writing every once and awhile to some member of your club and I wish Y’all nothing but happiness in your life!!!  I’ll promise to be more than happy where ever I’m going to be in the world!

             And for the last I want to thank once again the whole rotary club and especially Al and Janice Mouton, Donna and Derek Van Gilder, Mike and Jean Helmick, Sarah Wannacka, David Lopez, Rick and Betsy Nalle and also Rick and Teresa Price from the Mexia club and EVERYBODY—thank you.

           

        Yours sincerely,

        Juha Koskinen

        Youth Exchange Students

        2003-2004

        President Jay Polsky

        Rosa Alejandra Sardon Panta, Peru

             In September 2003, Rosa attended the Exchange Students Orientation weekend meeting at the home of Derek and Donna Van Gilder. 

             Rosa was on the Bastrop High School Varsity Tennis Team.  She lettered in tennis, was First Place in tennis at Bastrop HS and at the District level. 

             She is currently (2004) ranked 23rd of all the math students in Peru.

             She went on a trip with other Exchange Students to Orlando and Disney World in December 2003. 

             Rosa visited her relatives in New York City in May 2004 before returning to her home in Peru.

             Derek Van Gilder presented Rosa with a Paul Harris Fellow in May 2004.

         

        Youth Exchange Students

        2004-2005

        President Bill Reed

        Anne Pelletier, France

             Anne attended the Exchange Students Orientation weekend meeting at Derek and Donna Van Gilder’s home in September 2004. 

         

             She went to Las Vegas in October 2004 with her host family Roy Gould and Bonni Baty.

         

             Anne traveled to the Renaissance Festival in November 2004. 

         

             She went on the trip for Exchange Students to Orlando and Disney World from Wednesday, December 1 to Sunday, December 5, 2004. 

         

             In February 2005, Anne attended the Youth Exchange Students Mid-Year Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

         

             She attended the Peaceful Kingdom Retreat and District Conference in 2005.  Before going home in June she visited Fiesta Texas in San Antonio.

         

             Anne was a student trainer for the Bastrop High School football and baseball teams during her year here.  She gave players water, took care of injured players and counseled them.

             Derek Van Gilder presented Anne with a Paul Harris Fellow in April 2005.  

         

        Youth Exchange Students

2005-2006

President Rick St. Cin

Michelle Hui Ling Chung, Taipel, Taiwan

Michelle was 15 years old and spent the 2005-06 school year as a junior at Bastrop High School.  Michelle attended the Youth Exchange Students Mid-Year Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma in February 2006.. She attended a UT football game and visited Dallas while staying with the Van Gilders.  She also visited Galveston and Sea World will staying with the Rogers.
Michelle also went on the East Coast Tour in June 2006 with other Youth Exchange Students.  She visited New York City, Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington DC.  She said she met many Exchange Students from different countries and made lots of friends. 

While at Bastrop High School, Michelle was an honorary Honey Bear Dancer and participated in the Spring Dance show at Bastrop High School.
Derek Van Gilder presented Michelle with a Paul Harris Fellow in June 2006.   


    •  

      Interact Clubs (Chartered 2004)

            The Bastrop and Smithville High School Interact Clubs were chartered on May 11, 2004 at the LCRA Conference Center, Bastrop.  DG Barbara Warden joined president Jay Polsky; vocational service chair Mike Helmick; and Interact    chair Jason Goodman in conducting the ceremony.

           Interact is a Rotary sponsored youth service club which provides opportunities for youths to work together to encourage the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise, develop high ethical standards and advance international understanding, goodwill and peace.

           The School Advisors were Chris Carter, Bastrop HS and Bill O’Neal, Smithville HS.  Carter and O’Neal were named honorary members of the Rotary Club of Bastrop County.  (Current Advisor for Smithville HS is Mary Beth Battles.)

           Bastrop High School Officers:  President JoBeth Wedding, VP Alysha DeLeon; Secretary Candace Dozier; Treasurer Matthew Barnes.

            Smithville High School Officers:  President Regan Saunders; VP Katie Nyc, Secretary Kristen Layton; Treasurer Neil Wessels. 

       

       

         

 

Young Hero Award 2003

     Kristina Kelley from Smithville was chosen as one of only four students for Top Recognition at the District 5870 Young Heroes Banquet on April 22, 2003, Hyatt Regency on Town Lake, Austin. 

     She received a certificate, medallion, a $500 US

Savings Bond, and a Dell

computer and printer. 

 

 

Youth Service Above Self Award

(formerly Young Hero Award) 2004

     Wallace “Wally” Simmons, 6th Grader at Cedar Creek Middle School and a member of Boy Scout Troup 1998, received the 2004 District 5870 Youth Service Above Self Award in April 2004 for saving two individuals who had been swept away by the current of the Colorado River.  At the time he was 13 years old.  He received a certificate and a $200 Series EE Savings Bond.

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Camp Enterprise

 

     The Rotary Club of Bastrop County sponsored two 11th grade students, Kristen Layton from Smithville High School, and J. T. Fort from Bastrop High School for Camp Enterprise during the weekend of March 21-23, 2004.

     This camp is a three-day weekend where juniors in high school are taught first-hand about the free enterprise system.  The Camp Enterprise program is conducted by a number of Rotary clubs throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada.

     The program took place at Camp Balcones Springs located near Marble Falls.  Students selected were students leaders in the top 10 percent of the 11th grade class.  Academic achievements were considered, but the students ability to work well with other students and adults were also considered. 

     At Camp Enterprise the students were exposed to real life business skills, concepts of the free enterprise system, and a computer business simulation game, eCommerce/web-based businesses, stories from top business leaders and entrepreneurs, discussion of ethics in society and business, negotiating skills and more, including an opportunity for several scholarships.  They also worked on a team to develop an idea for a business and wrote a business plan for their idea.

     The students also enjoyed the recreational opportunities of Camp Balcones Springs, which included basketball, volleyball, an ice cream social, a dance (live DJ) and meeting and mixing with highly motivated peers.

 

 

 

RYLA 2003

     RYLA is a Rotary sponsored leadership camp where groups of outstanding young people entering their senior year spend a week in a challenging program of leadership training, discussions, inspirational addresses, and social activities designed to enhance personal development, leadership skills and good citizenship. Start up for RYLA was in 2003.  The Camp was held in Dallas, District 5810.  Leah Stump from Smithville attended.  At that time the scholarships were given to students at the District level.  District 5870 used this as a template for their RYLA program.  Leah Stump came back in 2004 as Assistant Counselor and in 2005 as Counselor.  

 

RYLA 2004

     Scholarships for a Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) camp were awarded by Marcie Polsky, District 5870 RYLA Chair, to Katie Diedrich and Brenda Luna from Smithville High School, and Vivianna Hamilton and Kevin Nixon from Bastrop High School on May 11, 2004.  (Vivianna and Keven could not attend and A. J. Kuizinas from Smithville High School attended in their place.)  The RYLA camp was held at McKinney Roughs in July 2004. Bastrop County Club member, Marcie Polsky, was Camp Director.

     J. T. Fort, Smithville High School; Camp Enterprise Chair Mike Helmick; and Kristen Layton, Bastrop High School, reported about the experience during a luncheon meeting of the Club.

Marcie Polsky, District Chair 03-04; Katie Diedrick, Brenda Luna, Smithville High School;

Kevin Nixon, Bastrop High School.   

RYLA 2005

     Scholarships for a Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) camp were awarded by RYLA Scholarship Committee members Bill Reed, Marcie Polsky, Sally Kirkpatrick, Jason Goodman, and Rick Nalle to Smithville High School students Amanda Hartfield and Kenneth Trench.  Alternate Smithville High School students were Justin Weldon and Megan Murphy.  Bastrop High School recipients were Quione Cooke and Jacinto R. Melendrez.  Alternate Bastrop High School students were Kimberly Simons and Stephanie Trevino.  Actual participants attending the camp on July 3-9 were Smithville High School students Amanda Hartfield and Kenneth Trench; Bastrop High School students Stephanie Trevino and Jerry Germenis.  Rotary member Marcie Polsky was on the District RYLA Planning Committee and Camp Director.  

 

RYLA 2006

     Scholarships were awarded to Lauren Carver, Andrew Vinklarek, and Mia Minor of Smithville High School; Greg Shivener of Bastrop High School; and Yral Wade of Elgin High School for the July 4-9, 2006 RYLA camp at McKinney Roughs.

     Other students taking part at the camp were Amanda Hartfield of Smithville HS, Marcie’s Assistant; Stephanie Trevino, Bastrop High School, Assistant Counselor; and A. J. Kuizinas, Smithville High School, Counselor.  Kenneth Trench and Jerry Germenis were Gold Shirts (students who learned the most) during the 2005 RYLA Camp,

            Rotary member Marcie Polsky was on the District RYLA Planning Committee and Camp Director.

 

RYLA 2007

Back Row: Dolores Hestdalen, Bastrop County; Dr. Suresh Pahwa, Austin University; Meena Leela Mallesh; Kuruvadi Madhu Prasad, Team Leader; Front Row: Kiran Prasad Rajanhally; Laraine Lasdom, Austin Downtown; Margerine Beaman, East Austin; and Austin Hestdalen.  

 

 

Rotary Youth Exchange Program

 

     Each year, local Rotary districts and clubs worldwide arrange thousands of international youth exchanges for high school-aged students.  The primary goal of the program is to foster world understanding by way of intercultural exchange. 

     The Rotary Club of Bastrop County has participated in the long-term exchanges since January 1997.  These exchanges usually last an academic year and the student lives with more than one family and attends Bastrop or Smithville High Schools. 

     District 5870 screens young people interested in youth exchange in the Bastrop area using a detailed application and interviews.  This process helps to ensure that only highly responsible and mature students are sent.  The student’s home country generally assess an applicant’s scholastic record, linguistic ability, and general adaptability, among other qualities.  Disabled students are encouraged to apply.

     Each district and club have to run their own programs independently of RI, but do receive guidelines from RI.

     Students accepted sign and agree to abide by a list of program rules prior to their departure from home.  The hosting Rotary club will also discuss all program rules with both the host families and the students.

     All students will attend an Orientation meeting during the month of September (usually at the home of Donna and Derek Van Gilder).  There is a Youth Exchange Retreat at Peaceable Kingdom in March.  All students must attend the District Conference.  Students may participate in the South Conference of Rotary Youth Exchange (SCRYE) Western or Eastern tour at the end of the year before returning to their homes. 

     There is a trip in December to Orlando, Florida and Disney World.  Students also participate in bi-monthly meetings that are not mandatory, but help them to have fun and get to know students from the other countries.  

 

Youth Service Above Self Award

2006

 

     Zenaida Miranda, Bastrop High School, was chosen as the Rotary Club of Bastrop County’s Youth Service Above Self recipient of the 2006 Youth Service Above Self Award.  She will attend Southwest University in Georgetown and will study Environmental Science. 

     Zenaida was a charter member of the Bastrop High School Interact Club.  She has participated in Bastrop Clean Sweep, Relay for Life and fund raising for Hurricane Katrina victims.  When the opportunity presented itself for her to assume a leadership role, Zenaida stepped up and was elected Vice President of the Interact Club.  In that role she assumed the responsibility for organizing a bake sale.  The proceeds from the sale were donated to a national organization that works to end hunger for children in the United States.

     Zenaida has used her involvement in the Interact Club as a springboard to begin to involve herself in other community projects that call for providing service above oneself.

     Zenaida received a $200 Savings Bond and a certificate from Benjamin Ford, District 5870 Youth Service Above Self Award  Chair, at the March 14 luncheon meeting.

 

Youth Service Above Self Award

2007

 


Cub Scout Pack 181

Lost Pines Elementary School

     Cub Scouts (boys first grade through fifth grade) meet in small groups called dens for weekly, meetings.  Once a month, all the dens meet together as a pack.  Often that monthly meeting will involve a fun activity. 

     Cubs and their families take part in events, such as the pinewood derby, model car races, raingutter regatta model boat races, or a space derby model rocket race.  Or, there could be a picnic, trip to a ball game, etc.  Many Cub packs schedule camping trips, including visits to Cub World at Camp Tom Wooten (on the LCRA Lost Pines Scout Reservation).  Units are also encouraged to attend the Capitol Area Council’s Cub Scout Resident Camp each summer at Cub World.  Individual Cubs or Cub dens may also choose to attend one of the Capitol Area Council’s many summer Cub Scout day camps. The Rotary Club of Bastrop County is the charting Organization.  Cub Scout Pack 181 was chartered in September 2004.  Rotary member Al Mouton was Charter Organization Representative and Rotary member Ed Henderson, District Executive, Capitol Area Council, was the organizer between the Scouts and Rotary. 


Sea Scout Ship 1701

Boys and Girls Ages 14-20

     Sea Scouting is a program within the Boy Scouts of America’s Venturing program.  It is a nautical program for young men and women ages 14-21.  It is the BSA’s implementation of the Sea Scout program first developed by Baden-Powel in England.  The program today was developed originally in 1912.  The advancement scheme for Sea Scouts places an emphasis on nautical skills before encouraging the youth to take a major role in planning activities in the unit.

Sea Scouts emphasizes leadership; so the youth in the ship hold the officers of Boatswain (President), Boatswain’s Mate (Vice President), Crew Leader, Assistant Crew Leader, Yeoman (Secretary), Purser (Treasurer), and Storekeeper (Quartermaster). Sea Scout Ship 1701 have accumulated an inventory of boats to do their sea events: Sunfish Sail Boats and Kayaks.  They are always interested in boat donations for their unit.

The Rotary Club of Bastrop County is the Chartering Organization.  Sea Scout Ship 1701 was chartered in September 2004. 

Rotary member Al Mouton was Charter Organization Representative and Rotary member Ed Henderson, District Executive,

Capitol Area Council, was the organizer between the Scouts and Rotary.  

Juan Felipe Sanchez Rocha; Pablo Antonio Saldana Ramirez; Maria Guadalupe Martinez, Team Leader; Julian Rodriguez Hernandez; and Rodrigo Zavala.

 

From L to R: Jerry Germenis, Kenneth Trench, Amanda Hartfield, A. J. Kuizinas and Stephanie Trevino were student leaders for the Rotary Youth Leadership Award Camp July 4-9, 2006.