Guests: David Sommers’ guest was Philip Lanier, Director of Marketing for DS Architecture; Anthony Horton’s guests were Stanton Middle School student of the month Caroline Mahon and her parents Tom and Catherine Mahon; Shawn Gordon’s guest was Andrew Popp, attorney with Weisenburger Law in Ravenna, and Kathy Myers’ guest was soon to be member Mark Pennell.
Announcements: President Randy announced the creation of a 100th Anniversary Kent Rotary Foundation Endowment campaign to be chaired by Paul Organ.
Roger Sidoti announced that the Kent Mayor and three At-Large Councilpersons are holding a drive through petition signing event Saturday from 10 to 1 at the site of the old Longhitano’s. The event is open to any candidates running for election in the City of Kent. The purpose is to keep people safe during the pandemic but allow candidates to get the signatures required to be on the ballot.
Bill Childers announced that United Way organized the Salvation Army kettle drive this year and that Will Underwood and David Dix represented Rotary ringing the bell for several shifts. President Randy noted that part of the proceeds from the Holiday Gala also went to the Salvation Army.
Lauren Talion thanked Rotary for the donation made to the Portage County Insurance Association’s coat collection for children in need. She said they raised almost $6,000 and were able to give away 600 coats, compared to 300 last year.
100th Anniversary Moment: Jim Myers gave us another fascinating glimpse into our past from the Depression Era noting important accomplishments of members from the inception of the park project along the Cuyahoga River to the first member appointed to the Kent State Board of Trustees and the new postmaster replacing another member as outgoing postmaster.
Stanton Middle School Student of the Month: Principal Anthony Horton introduced Caroline Mahon who has been a student ambassador, participated in track and field and was a member of the choir for three years. She is a 4.0 student and described by her teachers as a “team player.” Outside of school she is active in her Girl Scout troop and local church. She is interested in being a foreign exchange student in the future so she can learn more about another culture.
Speaker: January program chair Amanda Senn introduced her 2002 Kent Roosevelt High School classmate Marquis Parham. He is the Assistant Director of the Career and Leadership Development Center at his alma mater Ohio University. Marquis holds bachelors and masters degrees in recreation and sport pedagogy with an emphasis in coaching education and recreation management and administration. He is an educator, motivator, personal trainer, fashion model and television celebrity.
Marquis told his life story about how his successes and failures during his early years in Kent have shaped his life. He gave great credit to his mother Jackie Peoples Duke for raising him and his older brother alone. She worked two jobs to provide for them.
From his earliest years in Silver Meadows and a broken home, Marquis excelled academically and athletically with the strong influence of teachers and coaches. He learned a lot about lower and middle class and culture when he was involved in an altercation with several students during his freshman year at Roosevelt. He was expelled for six weeks and had to go to school at the Kent Free Library. His best friend, who is white, was allowed to go back to school.
After this first mistake, he applied himself harder and rose to be the alternate for Buckeye Boys State and Homecoming King. He received a full athletic scholarship to Ohio University to play football. He credits his stepfather, Uncle Jason Jones, Coach Kevin Hawkins and his best friends’ fathers for teaching him how to be a man and be consistent.
Marquis asked Rotarians to watch over Kent children who need coats or have deviant behavior to give them a chance to succeed as he has. He suggested that with these children you: Listen first; Embrace their culture; Remember the Rufio effect (growing up fatherless), and Keep them active in multiple programs, sports and events.
Response was given by Marcus Wright, son of Robert Wright, who talked about watching Marquis play football for Roosevelt.
Respectfully submitted,
Anita Herington
Amanda Senn kicked off our month of programs highlighting local talent. Marcquis Parham, a talented athlete in the local sports scene during the 1990’s, described his journey as an impoverished black male in a single parent matriarch family in our community. His powerful message of influencer’s in his life can provide a path for us as individuals and an organization. I believe our efforts to support our schools and literacy programs with our time and money truly make a difference. Next week’s speaker will be Dr Ellie Yanchar, another 1990’s local talent, who now serves on the front lines of health care in New York City. Should be another informative and interesting program.
Up Next: January 12 Ellie Yanchar, Psychiatrist and Family Medicine Physician at the Bronx NY Health Collective will speak about her experiences working with underserved populations, primarily homeless and marginally housed individuals in community health center and homeless shelter settings. Ellie is a proud 1999 alumna of Kent Roosevelt High School.
John Gettrust was our President during 1934-35. Our club’s membership had dropped to 50 members, still the result of the Great Depression.
Ben Askren from the Aurora club asked me to distribute the attached flier to our club. He says they "...haven't been able to have a fund raiser for well over a year now. Its a 50/50 drawing and hopefully we will have a big pot. People who want to enter can via the 
