2014 Youth Salute Awards - Press Release
Scottsdale Rotary Clubs Honor Student Leaders
The Rotary Club of Scottsdale and Airpark Rotary Clubs annually collaborate to hold Scottsdale Youth Salute to applaud the positive accomplishments of local young men and women. Youth Salute recognizes outstanding high school seniors. It involves them in seminars and workshops specifically designed to further develop their already formidable leadership skills. Nominations for Scottsdale's Youth Salutes are requested during a student's junior year. Students are nominated not only on grades, but also on leadership in school activities, religious organizations, or activities in their community. Each student is asked to complete an application and answer three out of four essay questions. The two Rotary Clubs review the essays, interview each student and then select ten students to compete on award night by answering an "on the spot question." Of the ten selected students, four students are selected to attend "Town Meeting on Tomorrow" to be held October 18-21, 2014. Youth leaders with diverse backgrounds from across the nation gather in St. Louis at Washington University to participate in the Youth Salute Programs, sponsored by the National Council on Youth Leadership. Town Meeting on Tomorrow inspires youth to service, excellence and outstanding performance by reinforcing active leadership as the key to meeting tomorrow's needs.
This year the Rotary Clubs received Youth Salute applications from eight Scottsdale high schools. One of last year's award winners, Samhita Vedula, talked to the award night attendees about her experiences and the life-long leadership skills she was taught at the 2013 Town Meeting. Additionally, Miss Vedula told attendees about the Rotary Club of Scottsdale student mentoring program - that each of the top ten students were invited to experience. In her case, Miss Vedula's life goal is to become a pediatric neurologist. The Rotary Club matched her with a Phoenix Children's Hospital pediatric neurologist who shared true insights into this career.
Youth Salute Program Chair, Mary Blank, announced on Award night, held March 20th, at Scottsdale Community College, that the four 2014 Scottsdale Youth Salute Awardees going to 2014 Town Meeting on Tomorrow were all from Desert Mountain High School - Mehek Mohan, Jack Shipka, Naveen Dasari and David Adelberg. The Rotary Clubs express special thank you to the applicants, parents, high school counselors, interviewers, award judges, and Chaparral High School and Scottsdale Community College for hosting the Youth Salute events.
In more than 34,000 clubs worldwide, you'll find 1.2 million Rotarians volunteering in communities at home and abroad to support education and job training, provide clean water, combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, and eradicate polio. The Rotary Club of Scottsdale is the largest Rotary Club that meets every Monday at noon in the Valley of the Sun's Scottsdale area. Scottsdale Airpark is a local club that meets 5:30pm every Monday. Both clubs are proud of their support for youth in our area and for the quality of its weekly luncheon speakers. The clubs actively welcome new members and transferees from other Rotary clubs. Visit www.scottsdalerotary.org or call 480-945-6158 or http://www.scottsdaleairparkrotary.org or call 480-874-6541 to learn more about local Rotary club meetings, projects and upcoming programs.
Pictured (LtoR): Bob Jackson, Rotary Club of Scottsdale Club President, Naveen Dasari, Mehek Mohan, David Adelberg, Jack Shipka and Nigel Drummond, Airpark Rotary Club President.