YOUTH WILL BE SERVED
Devon Joy
Joelle Hamilton
Evel Beniskova
Ginny Lowood introduced the trio of young presenters; Devon and Joelle the co-presidents of the Interact club who will be serving a second term and Evel, last year's exchange student, who is now back home in the Czech Republic and exiting from a period of quarantine.
Devon and Joelle
They described their time in the Interact club which began when they arrived in grade eight knowing little about volunteering. Joining up with like-minded students they immediately found a home and took up executive positions by grade ten and then became co-presidents the following year. Their Interact experiences were further enhanced with a trip to RYLA. Although this year's activities have ended with a thud they are both looking forward to the Interact action in 2021.
Devon and Joelle described their club's many activities including: shoreline clean-ups, Kin Village supports, Christmas lights, fundraisers and a new project initiated this year, a tea party for the elderly.. They appreciate the support they continue to receive from our club and feel that their experiences have enabled them to take pride in their accomplishments and growth in their confidence levels. A number of club members commended and thanked these amazing young leaders.
Evel
Not only did she greet our club remotely, Evel was concerned with being rusty in her use of English which she has not spoken in quite some time. She need not have worried as she communicated well with her usual good-natured charm. Although locked-down for the last two months she is looking forward to the re-opening of her world and a return to activities, seeing her friends and traveling. Right now she is happy to announce that she has been accepted at Charles University for the fall session where she plans to study international relations.
When she returned home last summer she saw a lot of Europe that took her to Berlin, Copenhagen, Milan and throughout the Czech Republic. Along the way she met up with students she had connected with in Tsawwassen and picked up a boyfriend. Last fall she attended her graduation ball with 1500 people making it a great party. Right now she is hopeful of securing a job in Austria this summer and polishing up on her German speaking skills.
Evel expressed her thanks for everything done for her by our Rotary club last year and also for the connections that continue with her friends and club members. As to the long-term future she looks forward to a return trip to Canada which she remembers with fondness. In turn, when she does visit, club members assured her that she will not lack for a place to stay.