“The Rotary Foundation Allowed Me to Be an Ambassador”

November 11th, 2008: John Bleeker and Kyra Morris were “proud Rotary parents” today. Between announcing Rachel Ward as our new Ambassadorial Scholarship winner, Keely Robinson as our first World Peace Scholar Recipient (see page 2), and introducing Julie Ohlandt, our Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar (2006-07) …. they had a full day.

Ms. Ohlandt is a James Island High School graduate who went on to Queens College (now University) in Charlotte NC.

Julie went to Chile to attend the University of Southern Chile. She stated, “it changed my life!” But she also apologized for wearing casual black shoes and keeping time with her cell phone since “no one in my generation” wears a watch. She spent the year of graduate studies getting her degree in rural development … but she learned much more.

First, some parts of Chile are cold: “thanks a lot!” They have the driest desert in the world; active volcanoes; shorelines to the Pacific; lakes and waterfall that take your breath. But after living in Santiago (where one-third of their population lives), Valenderia (where they had the coldest winter on record), and various other locations she realized: “nothing compares to the people; my fellow classmates (Cuba, Columbia, Philippines); and I’m an ambassador for Rotary and our Club.”

Submitted by Bill Crowe, Keyway Committee