Today's Program: The first 8 to 10 minutes the Sixth and Seventh Grade Odyssey of the Mind Team from St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School will make their award winning presentations to our club. They are going to the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals May 31 through June 3 at the University of Maryland. The second 10 to 20 minutes our own Wendy Kumpe will give us a report on Rotary's Wheelchair Project in Costa Rica.

Last Week's Program:

President, Jonathan Moore, led the Club with singing “America " and saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Invocation by Biff Averitt. Dick Trammel led the singing “In the Good Old Summertime”.

Marge Wolf introduced today’s speakers:

Ms. Ashleigh Painter, daughter of Bruce and Shondra Painter. Ashleigh was crowned Ms. Lakes of Northwest Arkansas in March and will be representing our area and competing at the Miss Arkansas pageant this July in Hot Springs. She is a student at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith.

Ashleigh explained that she is grateful for the opportunity to represent the community. She is active in the Special Olympics. She promotes as her platform - Reading is Fundamental - to help raise awareness about illiteracy and to help raise the literacy rate.

Ashleigh explained that there are four stages of the Miss Arkansas competition:

1) Interview - they ask anything and everything! From what’s your favorite color to what you think about the war in Iraq. She watches the news avidly to prepare for such questions.

2) Evening gown competition

3) Swimsuit competition

4) Talent competition - she will be singing “How Great Thou Art”

The second portion of today’s program is the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Benton County. Marge introduced Kyle Huffley, with Mitchell Williams Law Firm, he is the Board Chairman for the Single Parent Scholarship Fund. The SPSFBC has been around since 1984. In its inaugural year, the Single Parent Scholarship Fund awarded seven $150 scholarships, today, more than $2 million in scholarships have been awarded to deserving students throughout Benton County. Kyle introduced Ladonna Penner, Executive Director and Karen Robbins.

They give students an alternative to government-assisted living by providing scholarships to single parents that help with school and living expenses such as: transportation, housing, childcare and utilities. 98% of recipients are female with an average age of 31. 84% of the students are employed full or part-time while attending school and caring for their family. 75% have a 3.0 grade point or better.

Kyle introduced Dawn Green as one of the recipients. She is pursuing her Masters degree in Educational Technology. Dawn has two children, Tristen 12 and Ashton who is 9. Dawn told the Club that the SPSFBC goes beyond financial assistance. They helped her make some life altering decisions like deciding to rent versus own her home which she had a loan that she found herself unable to manage. They helped her and her family pay for their bills, groceries, clothes and fuel. Dawn went on to tell the Club the trials that she has faced in today’s job market, thinking that she was secure in her job, but two companies that she worked for were bought out by other companies. One job was eliminated, the second job she had offered her the choice to relocate to Texas, but due to family and support she had in this area she declined the offer. She then realized that her hard work wasn’t enough - she need a good education. SPSFBC has afforded her that opportunity.

The Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Benton County will have an open house for the new facility across from the Helping Hands on SW “I” Street in Bentonville on May 29th @ 5:30. They have numerous sponsorships available for chairs, doors, rooms, etc. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, contact them at: 479-254-8550. Their website is: www.spsfbc.com

Announcements:

Visiting Rotarians and Guests:

Kay Riazzi introduced todays visiting Rotarians and Guests -

Marge Wolf introduced Ed and Kathy McClure
Jene Huffman introduced Larie Madden
Jeremy Putman introduced Josh Putnam
Macadda Peoples introduced Jason Owens
Joe Hines introduced Laney Hines

Visiting Rotarian: Jerry Danehower, Rogers Early Risers

Bob’s Student Guests
No student guests

Chad’s Members in the News:

• Betsy Reithemeyer, The Chase Foundation awarding NWA Food Bank with $2000

• Beth Stephens at the Tetrazzini dinner curb side service

• Kent and Diana Eikenberry, Ozark Natural Science Center Call of the Wild

• Susan Jasan, Treasurer of PEO Chapter U in Rogers

• Jerry Carmichael, Sr. VP of commercial lending for Intrust Bank

• John and Mary George

• Dr. Tom Woodruff, Rogers baseball coach

• Dick Trammel 3X

Upcoming Programs

TBA

The Club closed the meeting with reciting the Four-Way test.