Rotareminder
The Rotary Club of Kent
June 2, 2026
President Amanda Senn called the meeting to order at 12:15. We sang the National Anthem and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. President Amanda announced the passing of fellow Rotarian Larry Wright and asked for a moment of silence in his honor. Ann Moneypenny offered the invocation. David Dix at the piano led us in singing “I Wanna Hold Your Hand.”
Kevin Wermer, District 6630 Youth Coordinator, from the Medina Sunrise club was a guest along with Guy Chapman, a Youth Exchange Student. Guests included Beth Khan and Zach and Liz Sullivan, both host families for today’ speaker, Youth Exchange Student Emelie Helbert. Chase and Marly Miller were guests of their grandfather, Chris Martin and their mom, Laura Martin Miller.
Announcements
Denise Baba invited everyone to the retirement celebration at PARTA for Director Claudia Amrhein on June 25 from 4 to 7 at the PARTA offices and garage.
Nancy Whitehead noted that the Rotary Foundation will meet next Tuesday to consider a request for funding.
Bill Childers invited volunteers to attend the Salvation Army Food Distribution on the first Wednesday of each month at the corner of Summit and Horning from 8:30 to 11.
President Amanda announced the retirement of Roberta O’Keefe from her long time efforts to recruit fellow Rotarians to offer the invocation. If you are interested, we’re looking for a new volunteer to take her place starting in July.
New Member Induction
Natalie Pillsbury, CEO of PBS Western Reserve, was inducted as our newest member. Sponsor Mark Pennell introduced her noting that she had steered both WKSU and PBS Western Reserve through difficult times created by Federal funding cuts. PBS Western Reserve comprises two television stations, WEAO and WNEO, which cover Northeastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania reaching five million people. She is a Kent graduate and is mom to two kids ages 7 and 11.
Happy Bucks
Many Rotarians offered Happy Bucks today to honor the passing of Larry Wright. Also honored were today’s speaker and her host families, the end of another successful year at Kent City Schools, community support for our schools, and special friends and family members.
Today’s Program: Emelie Helbert, Rotary Youth Exchange Student at Theodore Roosevelt High School for 2025 and 2026
Emelie, a 16 year-old from Germany, was introduced by Asad Khan, representing one of Emelie’s three sets of host parents: Khans. Sullivans and Richardsons. Emelie began her presentation by thanking her hosts for making her feel fully a part of each family. During her year in Kent, she got to hang out with Peyton Richardson in Kent, travel to Washington with the Khans, and vacation in Florida with the Sullivans.
At school, she felt warmly welcomed by friends and teachers and participated in three sports, swimming, tennis, and track. She will return to Germany in July keeping memories of her time and her many friends in Kent forever. Before she goes home, she’ll travel with other Rotary Youth Exchange Students on an east coast trip to New Youk, Philadelphia, and Washington. She’ll also travel to the west coast with stops in Arizona and California.
Back in Germany, Emelie will complete her 12th and 13th year of high school and then attend university.
Response
Kathy Myers provided the response inviting Emelie to return to her Kent home as soon as possible.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas Hatch
