Community in Schools Program

 

“School to Work”

April 22^nd & April 23^rd

Miami North Western Senior High School

1100 NW 71^st Street,  Miami 

Our Club was contacted by the Community in Schools program to speak to high school students about our professions and offer "pearls of wisdom" to graduating seniors.

Two groups of Rotarians spoke on Tuesday and Wednesday morning at Miami Northwestern Senior High School in Liberty City. They serve 1800 students. It was founded in 1955 and the current school building was completed in the 90’s. They are best known for their achievements on the sports field in football and track, but recently have made the headlines by becoming the first inner city school in Miami to go from an “F” class school to an “A” class. Their graduating class used to be 40% and now it’s over 80% receiving high school diplomas. The principal and staff are very proud and the students were respectful and attentive.

We met the students in the college resource center. The lobby is plastered with college acceptance letters all over the walls along with a national map showing the students name and the school they’ll be attending. 

The Rotarians who volunteered their time for this community service event were Carol Brock, Dick Golden, Felix Pardo, Keith Phillips, Jim Skinner and Diane Thurston.  They were both entertaining and informative.

Carol Brock spoke about her career in Broadcasting and Media. 

Dick Golden spoke about his career as the owner of an ambulance company. 

Jim Skinner spoke about his career in law enforcement and serving as a police chief for three different cities including Coral Gables. 

Keith Phillips shared his path of multiple careers, beginning as an aviation pilot and then pursuing a  career in the insurance industry which took a turn after Hurricane Andrew. Then one day his air conditioner broke and decided that may be a good career path.

Diane Thurston shared her pursuit of many fields in college, until one day she met a psychologist. Her interest was piqued and she spent  years studying to become a PHD.

Felix Pardo spoke about his career in architecture. He knew that was the career for him before he even entered high school.  He told the students to follow their dreams and pursue what felt right in their hearts.

I spoke about the interior design industry and showed a power point presentation of spaces before and after remodeling.

We all enjoyed sharing these pearls of wisdom with the students.  We tried to offer inspiration as well as a glimpse of reality into the outside world. We also learned more about each other and I can easily see why each of these people are Rotarians. Serving our community is just who they are.

 This is the final Community Service Project for this year.  I hope more of you will join usnext year.  Our final event will be a wine paring dinner on June 10^th at Angelique Euro Cafe to raise funds for Civic and Charity events next year.            Lorraine Sheldon, Chair