The North Coast Rotary Club said “goodbye” to past president Linda Rakvic, who has moved out of the area. The new Leadership Team was inducted by Rotary District 6600 Chief of Staff, Tony Cuevas. Taking office was Jinnyn Tata – President, John Crooks – President-elect and Vice President, Matthew Knotts – Vice President-elect and President Nominee, Treasurer Larry Calabrese, Deputy Treasurer Robert Scott, Foundation Administrative Coordinator Mark Musial and Secretary Mary Crehore.
For several years the North Coast Rotary Club has assisted with the duck tape festival. The past several years the Club has provided donuts, coffee and water to the parade participants as they gather before the parade. Dunkin Donuts of Avon, has generously supported the Rotary Club and the parade by donating donuts and coffee.
The North Coast Rotary Club was awarded the Gold Presidential Citation for the July 2015 to June 2016 year. Rotary International recognizes rotary clubs each year who are strong and vibrant and achieving the goals of Rotary in community service and leadership. This is to the credit of Club Members who made it happen and under the leadership team of Linda Rakvic, Jinnyn Tata, Mary Crehore, John Crooks, Mark Musial, Frank Krempasky and Doug Maurer. 
Three of our six Scholarship Winners joined our Rotary Club Meeting to describe their future plans.
Hailey Acosta, winning the Jane Kuzman Memorial Scholarship at Avon High School will attend Otterbein College and major in nursing. Pierce Morgan, an Interact Scholarship winner from Brookside will attend Kent
State University, majoring in fashion merchandising. Tyler Simons, Scholarship Winner from Avon Lake High School will attend The Ohio State University, majoring in engineering and French.
Not pictured are the other three scholarship winners, Hannah Floyd and Chloe Hardman from BrooksideHigh School and Treasure Jenkins from Avon High School.
Annually North Coast Rotary Club sponsors students to attend a workshop at Defiance College. Seven students attended this year, getting a taste of college life, learning about Turkey and developing and presenting their reports. Four of the students shared their experiences with the Rotary Club.
Jenna and Inna from Brookside and Lauren and Andrew from Avon all said they enjoyed World Community Workshop and were pleasantly surprised at how much fun they had.
Rotarians enjoyed the hospitality of Sprenger while meeting many business owners at the very successful 2016 Avon Lake Business Expo.
Rotarians enjoyed the hospitality of The Wine Room sampling great wines and Hors D’oeuvres. “Not your everyday wine store..” is how Pete Sandrev, co-owner describes The Wine Room. Perfect for Rotary’s social, club members learned about several wines and how to improve the Rotary Club’s Wine Tasting Fundraiser. 
Enjoy free admission to the 6th Annual Child Safe Community Day, presented by Jeff Ellis’ International Karate Centers, the North Coast Rotary Club and its’ student organization North Coast Interact. The event includes mini clinics on safety topics for young people and parents, including finger printing ID kits.
There will also be photos with the Easter Bunny as well as an ice cream eating contest.
The event takes place from 1 PM to 4 PM at Troy Intermediate School, 237 Belmar Boulevard, Avon Lake, Ohio. Call 440-930-2530 for more information.
On Tuesday high school students from Avon High School, Avon Lake High School and Brookside High School participated in a Rotary sponsored public speaking competition, also known as the 4-Way Speech Contest.
Rotarian Dr. John Crooks coordinated the program and enlightened the audience of 30 members and guests about its’ history. Rotarians have long promoted high ethical standards, and the “4-Way Test” asks that of the things we think, say and do:
1) Is it the Truth;
2) Is it Fair to all concerned;
3) Will it build Goodwill and better Friendships and;
4) Will it be Beneficial to all concerned.
The Contest gives students an opportunity to demonstrate their public speaking skills while highlighting Rotary’s values. Students develop their own speaking material drawing on the 4-Way Test and their own personal experiences.
The students’ presentations were evaluated by four judges, all with educational backgrounds. The judges complimented the participants on their presentations expressing their opinions that they all performed at college level.
Kyle B. from Avon Lake High School and Sam L. from Avon High School were fourth place finishers and were recognized for their effort in participating.
Alexis D. from Avon High School was awarded a third place finish; Dale W. from Brookside High School a second place finish; and Elliott P. , also from Brookside High School, was awarded first place with the opportunity to continue at the Area Contest and District Contests.
Cash prizes were awarded to the first, second and third place winners. The next competition among the winners from 10 to 16 Rotary Club competitions will be at Ritter Public Library in Vermilion on Saturday March 12th.
For High School Seniors from Avon High School, Avon Lake High School and Brookside High School, the Rotary Club Foundation will fund a total of six scholarships; one for each high school and one for each program – Interact and Strive.
Scholarship applications are accepted beginning in March and decisions are made in May. Each high school guidance office has the scholarship application forms. Eligibility requirements include acceptance by and enrollment in a four-year college or university.
North Coast Rotary Club and Foundation 
