Northlake Mandeville Rotary Club Celebrates 50 years with Anniversary Gala
Mandeville – The Northlake Mandeville Rotary Club celebrated 50 years of Service Above Self at their Gold and White Anniversary Gala Friday, September 6, 2024, at Benedict’s Plantation in Mandeville.
The celebration included reflection by current club President Ted Dittmer, on the history of Rotary, and a personal update and testimony to the impact of Rotary’s scholarship program and mentorship from Afshin Salehi, M.D., M.S., a former Rotary Scholarship recipient (2003), and pediatric neurosurgeon at Children’s Nebraska, in Omaha. The evening culminated with guest speaker Norman Robinson, a fellow Rotarian, past president of the New Orleans Rotary Club, and retired long-time news anchor from WDSU.
Robinson spoke to the work that Rotarians do, the Rotary motto — Service Above Self — and said that his time in Rotary was by far the most important work he has ever done. “When I retired from television news, I decided that I would do only positive things, because when I meet St. Peter at the pearly gates, I want him to welcome me in,” Robinson continued. “This work is by far the most important work I have ever done.” Approximately 90 guests attended the celebratory event. Incoming President-elect Chase Villeret closed the evening’s program with a toast and guests then lingered to enjoy a celebratory cake and dance to the Groovy 7 Trio.
The flagship program of the Northlake Mandeville Rotary Club is their scholarship program. Rotary selects four graduating seniors from local high schools for whom the scholarship will have the "greatest impact." These high school seniors are awarded $12,000 college scholarships at the annual scholarship banquet held in May. The students return every year to update the Rotary about their college careers and accomplishments. To date Northlake Mandeville Rotary has awarded over $500,000 to over 60 local students.
To learn more about how to become a member of Rotary, visit: Northlake Mandeville Rotary Club .
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