–article submitted by Ellie Schatz; photos submitted by Noel Pearson and Ellie Schatz
On Sunday, July 13, nearly 80 Rotary scholars and mentors attended our 9th Annual Rotary Scholar-Mentor Picnic. The following photos don’t quite tell it all, but they give the flavor of a day filled with the excitement of shared goals and dreams, the bonding accomplished through conversation and caring, the comforts of an idyllic environment, good food, and people we are so lucky to have in our lives.
Upperclassman Patrick Mather shared the ropes of college with Austin Coppernoll, incoming freshman.
Club President Tim Stadelman heard of dreams and plans, like Sheikh Jammeh’s possibility of working and studying in the Galapagos Islands.
Cheryl Weston spent some quiet moments with Kiran Silwell as she prepares for her senior year.
Alan Rubio and Cristhian Hernandez talked about classes at Madison College (and soccer?).
Our hostess, Noel, never took a breather. When she wasn’t behind the scenes organizing food, chairs, etc., she was behind the camera capturing the fun and future that’s represented at her lakeside table. Thank you Noel and Dick Pearson.
Graduate scholar Chie Yang began a conversation about majors, graduation, graduate school and careers. Mentors reveled in hearing all the BIG ideas and plans.
A picnic on the lake must include a boat or two?! Brett Stratton helped Captain Dick bring the boat up for a very popular annual activity. Seeing Madison from the lake adds new perspectives for many scholars.
New Rotarian Jason Hunt and scholar McKenna Crossen shared some get-acquainted time.
The Kitchen Committee, as always, got a big heads up as do all the mentors for the delicious dishes, from chips and dips to cookies and pies. Terry Heinrichs, did you make that scrumptious raspberry pie yourself?
It was a perfect day in a perfect setting. If this is “service above self,” we enjoyed living our Rotary motto.
Rotary Club of Madison, Wisconsin 