Rotary International asks us to Serve to Change Lives through its Focus Areas
This month Rotary International asks us to Serve to Change Lives by helping everyone learn skills that will allow them to become economically self sufficient. Explore the possibilities with us at our meeting Wednesday at noon at Wick Park or virtually via Zoom.
This week, Rotary welcomes Michele Merkel, President of Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio, as our featured speaker. With more than 27 years of service to Junior Achievement, including 17 years as President, Michele has led remarkable growth across the organization. What began as a single after-school program has expanded into more than 400 in-school and after-school programs, reaching over 14,000 students annually.
Michele will highlight the impact of Junior Achievement Discovery & Finance Park, where students gain real-world financial literacy and career readiness skills. A dedicated community leader, Michele continues to strengthen opportunities for youth across the Mahoning Valley. Join us for an inspiring program showcasing education, leadership, and workforce development in action.
Recipients of the Rotary Club of Youngstown Scholarships at Youngstown State University broke bread with us April 15 at the Wick Park Pavilion.
In collaboration with the YSU Foundation, RCY annually awards six $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors from public and parochial high schools in the city.
Here are this year’s impressive winners:
Jonniece Moorer, of East High School, has a 3.76 GPA and plans to major in psychology. She is a member of the National Honor Society, a Student Ambassador and group leader of her school’s Destination Imagination team for creative problem-solving and community service.
Bryana Rosendary, of Youngstown Rayen Early College, plans to major in pre-nursing. Her hobbies include reading, crafting, and baking.
Michaela Wilder, of Chaney High School, chose pre-dental hygiene as her major because of her passion to work in themedical field. She wants to advance this opportunity to become an orthodontist.
Pierce Jones, of Cardinal Mooney, plans to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and is one of five children. His father became superintendent of the Diocese of Youngstown schools, which brought them here during Pierce’s junior year of high school. In addition to his academic achievements, he enjoys playing golf, basketball, and tennis.
Deion Miller, of Valley Christian, plans to major in business.He has maintained a GPA of 3.4 while balancing the demands of athletics, showcasing his discipline and time management skills. As a captain of the football team, he helped to build a positive and competitive team culture. He will continue his academic and athletic pursuits at YSU.
Alexander Simon, of Ursuline High School, is the recipient of the Edward J. Hulme Scholarship, named for a late Rotarian who strongly demonstrated Service Above Self. Alex, with a GPA of 3.88, plans to major in accounting. He is a member of the National Honor Society, varsity athlete in basketball, golf, and tennis, and volunteer at school, St. Maron Parish, and local organizations.
We also congratulated Genevieve Ramey, an eighth grader from Lincoln PK-8 in Warren, on winning the WFMJ-TV Regional Spelling Bee and presented her with a cash award. She will represent our area at the 101st National Scripps Bee in Washington, D.C. during Memorial Day week.
Best wishes to all Rotary Scholars!
In Memoriam
A memorial service has been announced to honor the life and legacy of Rotarian Hunter Morrison on Thursday, May 14 at 1:00 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP to Elayne Bozick or Bill Lawson.
Hunter Morrison’s impact on Northeast Ohio is profound and enduring. As Cleveland’s planning director from 1980 to 2000, he helped shape transformative projects including North Coast Harbor, the Gateway sports complex, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His leadership continued in Youngstown, where he directed the Center for Urban and Regional Studies at Youngstown State University and guided the nationally recognized Youngstown 2010 plan, focused on sustainable “right-sizing” and community engagement.
A recipient of national planning honors, Hunter remained committed to education, mentorship, and regional collaboration throughout his career. In Rotary, he found fellowship and purpose, embracing “Service Above Self” through projects like Wick Park Recreation Center restoration and Coats for Kids.
SAVE THE DATE
School Cleanup, 10am, April 24th, Williamson Elementary/ Rayen Early College, 58 Williamson Ave., Youngstown, 44607
Thrive Mahoning Valley Fundraiser, 6pm - 9pm, April 29th, support the new legal immigration clinic with a night of dinner, dancing, drinks, and raffles.
Bike Belmont, 12pm / 1pm, May 17th, 260 Wick Park Ave, Youngstown, 44406 Sign Up
Ignite the Night, 5pm, July 6th, The Youngstown Foundation Amphitheater, 201 S Phelps St, Youngstown, OH 44503
THIS WEEK IN ROTARY HISTORY
January 6, 1952: Youngstown Rotarians packed books to be sent to libraries in The Philippines.
CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION
Birthdays:
Gregg Rossi 1/7
Kathleen Prasad 1/11
Anniversaries:
Bill Petro 1/6
43 years
Fred Owens 1/6
38 years
Steve Poullas 1/7
11 years
Suzanne Fleming 1/9
24 years
NEW MEMBER NOTICES
Kanisha Teemer
Business Owner
Classification: Beauty Salon, Child Care Services
Sponsor: Dionne Dowdy
Teemer (nickname Nishe), 35, is the CEO of Your Mobile Cosmo, LLC, and Safe Haven Child Care, based in Austintown. She and her spouse, Richard Warren, have five children.
Eric Hall
Youngstown City School District
Classification: Education
Sponsor: Jeremy Batchelor
Hall is the school district’s Director of Community Partnerships.
Christopher Colon
Executive Director
Classification: Nonprofit Organizations
Sponsor: Jack Kravitz
Colon, 44, leads Thrive Mahoning Valley, an organization that helps newcomers feel at home in greater Youngstown by providing transportation assistance, housing referrals, employment and education connections, legal aid referrals, citizenship assistance, household goods and hygiene products, and more. He is married to Jessica Lev and has three sons.
Anthony Horvath
President and CEO, Safety Kaizen, about workplace safety and operational excellence, and Thrivenest AI, using artificial intelligence coaching to help underserved youth build financial literacy and emotional resilience.
Sponsor: Kelly Becker (Rotary Club of Struthers)
Horvath, 40, of Youngstown, is a veteran of the United States Air Force. He earned a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Park University and a Master of Science in Safety, Security, & Emergency Management from Eastern Kentucky University. He has worked in military aviation and explosives, commercial nuclear power, steel and aluminum, rubber, oil, and manufacturing, logistics, and service sectors.
