"I was privileged to spend my first year at Stillwater Area Public Schools to be working with Mary Jo.  I am sorry I didn’t have many more. No one I have known in my 30 years in education, more completely and fully dedicated her life to the teaching and learning of young people.  Mary Jo truly worked every day and many nights to deliver what’s best for kids.

And it is because of Mary Jo and her invitation, that I am a member of Stillwater Sunrise Rotary. 

Today, our children and youth face many challenges.  Many of us remember our own teenage years and some of the battles we had to conquer, lost girl or boyfriends, the challenge of peer pressure related to drugs, sex, alcohol, music, clothing - wanting to be popular and to fit in.  Those all exist for our youth today plus a few added burdens such as: a jobless economic recovery, terrorism, global warming and the real likelihood that they will be the first generation of Americans that will not exceed the economic level of their parents.   And to compound the challenge, if predications hold true, obesity, diabetes and more sedentary life style will result in them having a shorter life expectancy than their parents.

“Youth would be an ideal state if it came a little later in life." So stated Herbert Henry Asquith.  Abraham Lincoln showed his wisdom in 1862 when he stated: “In this sad world of ours sorrow comes to all, and to the young it comes with bittered agony because it takes them unawares. The older have learned to expect it”.  When young, we did not have the historical perspective to know that break-ups and other heartaches resolve with time and failing a course or losing a job was really not the end of the world.  Our children and youth need us to give them that perspective and understanding that tough times do pass, the depression lifts and that help is available.

To help our teenagers succeed, we must take note of and recognize their “sparks”. Sparks, as described by Peter Benson of the Search Institute are:
The hidden flames in your kids that light their proverbial fire
They come from the gut. They motivate and inspire.  They are authentic passions, talents, assets, skills and dreams.
They can be music, athletic, intellectual, academic, relational
They get kids going in the right direction into making a difference in the world and away from self-defeating and dangerous paths and when they are known and acted upon, they help youth come to that life-changing insight that “my-life has a purpose”

Research has shown that when several people know of and support the sparks that youth have, they have higher school attendance, get better grades, are socially and physically more healthy, are more likely to volunteer to help others and are more likely to avoid depression and have hope for the future.

You see, “the Youth of a Nation are the trustees of Prosperity”.  That was true in the 1800 when spoken by Benjamin Disraeli.   It is no less true today.  Last year Stillwater Sunrise Rotary invested $18,000 to 20,000 on youth events and activities.  Many successful fundraisers, including this annual golf event, have made that possible.  But compared to the dollar investment, priceless were the countless hours spent in mentoring youth through our STRIVE program, teaching leadership through Camp Enterprise and Camp RYLA, encouraging ethical thought and behavior through the Ethics Essay Contest and helping youth make music by sponsoring the High School Pep Band.  Priceless is the way our members have led the Youth, Alcohol and Drug program to rally the community around a problem that impacts so many of our youth and can only be effectively addressed when parents, community and schools all working together.  And we have demonstrated to our youth, through our Youth Exchange Program, that all youth no matter what part of the world they come from are to be treasured, nurtured and supported.

Pearl S. Buck noted that: The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible -- and achieve it, generation after generation.   And that should give us all hope and reason to continue to invest our time, resources and support to our children and youth. 

Stillwater Sunrise Rotary, just like Mary Jo Weingarten, recognizes What’s Best For Kids and enthusiastically invests its resources of time, energy and wisdom in assuring the prosperity of our youth, our future.  Yesterday, in commemoration of  9/11, President Obama declared a National Day of Service.  I am proud to say that Stillwater Sunrise Rotary focuses on service all year long and I am proud to be a member of such a dedicated organization that has followed Mary Jo’s lead in doing what’s best for kids.

Thank you for being here tonight and sharing your time and resources for this investment in our future."

Don Schuld, Stillwater Sunrise Rotary Member

Well stated, Don.  Thank you!