Last Week's Meeting
Rotarians took a field trip to SMARTS Art School, which is led by RCY Past President Becky Keck. Rotarians are well acquainted with SMARTS, but Keck and her colleagues explained adjustments they’ve made during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide virtual and in-person arts instruction to 1,500 children in Ohio and Pennsylvania, from pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade.
SMARTS instructors are augmenting music, art and theater education in local schools. Examples include The Montessori School of the Mahoning Valley, which will stage a musical later in the school year in conjunction with SMARTS and using the SMARTS stage in its downtown Youngstown location. Rotarian Paul Garchar, CEO of Potential Development schools for persons on the autism spectrum, explained how working with SMARTS helps his staff to provide meaningful experiences to students.
SMARTS classes for children are free and open to the public, thanks to ongoing community support. Rotarians can lend support by attending the SMARTS Family Dinner, which will be Nov. 18 at Stambaugh Auditorium. SMARTS students will share their talents, and the meal will be served family style. See Becky for ticket information. The Art for SMARTS fundraiser, featuring an art auction, is being planned for April 29, 2022.
The meeting ended with guided tours of the facility and many friendly conversations.
Additionally this week, Youngstown Lions Club, Youngstown Kiwanis Club and the Youngstown Rotary Club welcomed Cleveland Indians Senior VP of Public Affairs Bob DiBiasio
