Submitted by: Tiana Bohn, Wahpeton Breckenridge Rotary Club Secretary
 
The Rotary Club of Wahpeton-Breckenridge invites High School Juniors from Breckenridge and the six Richland County schools each month.  Students are selected by their respective schools because of their accomplishments, character, and the respect earned from faculty and staff.  These students, along with their parents and respective faculty members, join us as luncheon guests. The recognition program is a sharing and celebration of gifts and talents and continued commitment to their school and surrounding communities.
 
During the program, each student guest is invited to share information about themselves that support the object of Rotary, such as mentoring younger students and various community service projects for about 5 to 10 minutes each.  A monthly newsletter is prepared that highlights the students various accomplishments, activities and future plans after High School. This allows Rotarians in attendance to ask the students some additional questions which makes the program interactive and entertaining for all attendees. Some commonly asked questions include: What introduced you to this activity or interest that has encouraged you to pursue it? What is your favorite piece of advice that you have received or like to share with others? Where would you like to live and why? And who is the person that has inspired you the most?   
 
Also included in the newsletter, is our mission statement and what Rotary is about by sharing this statement: “We are a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all our professions, and help build goodwill and peace throughout the world.”
 
Our Rotary member emcee, Joel Lysne, encourages all our attendees to learn more about Rotary and highlights other opportunities for area students, such as RYLA camp, the Annual 4-Way Test Essay Contest and potential scholarship opportunities. While emphasizing the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self”, encouragement is given to students to continue to find ways to get involve in a service club whenever you have an opportunity. In closing the program, members also recognizes the hard work of the area faculty for representing their respective schools and for teaching these amazing students. A group photo of the students is taken for the club webpage and the newsletter is forwarded to the local papers to share the student accomplishments with the community.
 
Pictured : Students of the Month and Rotarian Emcee, Joel Lysne