Harbourside Rotary Scholarships and Youth Recognition

Harbourside Rotarians are very proud of our club's impact on youth through our scholarship program. 

Pat Morris introduced this morning program by invited our very own Lauren Moline to speak about her experience of accepting a scholarship from Harbourside Rotary who was honour to be recognized by Rotary and even sharing the celebration by her mother who savored the fact that "Rotarians and the Union Club don't allow women members."  Lauren is proof that a wise investment in talented youth help create great leaders (yes Lauren, we mean you !!!!) 

George Prince provided a background of the Michael Potter Scholarship.  The Michael Potter Scholarship was provided by a $1.0 million donation to the Harbourside Foundation in memory of Michael's father - Harbourside Charter Member Alan Potter.  George provided a narrative of the initial management of the fund and how after some very unstable equity markets and some liberal scholarship rules the club revised and tightened requirements for recipients.  The new guidelines provided the confidence that was needed that led to Michael Potter entrusting the club with his significant donation.

This year the club recognized the following recipients:

Romy Dome (accepted by father/mother - Roger Done & Marianne Emmot).  Romy is a recipient of the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award; Maintained 90-percent average in both grade 11 and 12.  Principal's honour roll grades 9-12.  Completed Red Cross certification as water-safety instructor, occupational first aid national lifesaving society award, first aid and defibrillator certification.  Competed in athletics in senior girls basketball (Gr 10-12) and co-captain (Gr 11-12).  Also received certification as open-water diver, advanced diver and rescue diver.  Recognized by being on the Athlete’s honour roll (Gr 10-12).  She was involved in student council throughout high school and  through numerous Rotary programs.  This includes Rotary Youth Conference – Adventures in Citizenship (Ottawa, Apr 2013); President of Interact Club (Parklands); Rotary District Conference, youth liaison (2013); Rotary youth conference: Adventures in Technology (Saskatoon); OSEF (Organisation de Séjours Éducatifs Français) exchange (3 months) – Vendome, France, 2011; Rotary Short Term Exchange Program (4 wks) – Netherlands, 2012.  Significant community experience including a position as a coordinator for community food drives and other Sidney based community projects.

Romy is studying Mineral Engineering at the University of Toronto. 

Michael Potter Scholarship -

Elizabeth Kuroyedov (accepted by sister Mira Kuroyedov).  Elizabeth completed the enrichment program with a 98% average and also studied Mosaic Russian Language & Culture.  She began her community services efforts as a peer tutor English 9; fundraising for the Mustard Seed; active in the Political club; volunteered in the Esquimalt Youth for care & Inclusion (awareness campaigns re anti-bullying, mental illness, multiculturalism.)  Participated in the restoring ecosystems initiatives; “Step Up Youth Leadership” crew (Crystal pool and rec centre leadership group: low-income children, liaison between community centres.)  She was also a Youth Leader in Training, with one month volunteer in day camps through James Bay Community Centre. Throughout she maintain strong linkages and supported the Ukrainian culture centre.

Romy is University of Ottawa studying International Relations.

Lindy Pangka (accepted by Helena and Rudy Pangka).

Lindy achieved High Honour Roll from Gr 8 and maintained a 90% average through Grades 11-12.  Academically, she received the Award of Merit.  While maintaining a job at Brentwood Pharmasave she completed grade 9 level piano and French horn and choir.  Involved in school event planning and a worship leader for chapel service.  She has been involved in numerous fundraising initiatives including: Victoria Pregnancy Centre “Duct tape for diapers” and has actually been volunteering since age 14.  She has helped peers by tutoring an international students, reading Buddies, peer buddy. Involved with Tour de Victoria by setting up starting area, tents, sponsor signs.  She has also volunteered at Broadmead Lodge with residents visits and engaging seniors with chess play.  Similarly, she volunteered at Mount St Mary’s Hospital to play the piano and visit residents.  International experience includes a missionary trip to Mexico where group built three houses. This is where she realized how privileged she is to be a Canadian.

Lindy is pursuing her dream to study medicine at the University of Victoria, first by completing a Bachelor of Science.

The program continued on the youth theme with acknowledgments of RYLA (Sarah Leslie) and Rotaract (Lance Shaver and Nalin Dhillon.)  Lance, in his usual exuberance talked about Rotaract's dual charter and involving members between the ages of 18-30 years old.  He highlighted the club's accomplishments, including: planning committee of the Victoria Rotary Polo Match; target of 140 out of rain shelter kits of Victoria's street youth (and he needs 50 sticks of deodorant and 140 travel sized tubes of toothpaste); helping Victoria Harbourside in baking cakes doubling Rotaract's volunteer contribution to 50+ hours; hosted OurPlace Lunch with Oak Bay Rotary; hosted a special guest speaker at the University of Victoria - Dr. Valerie Taylor, (Physical Therapist and founder of CRP in Bangladesh 40 years ago.)

In summary, Lance really did a great job in explaining how Rotaract has responded to all of Victoria Rotary clubs' projects.  Providing both resources, energy and youthfulness to help create a fun environment for us to do our great work.  Lance will likely be remembered as the young man, who when given a minute to speak, will provide the best 5 minute update humanly possible.