Solon High School senior Ashwin Rane was not only the winner of the Rotary Club of Solon's locally sponsored Four Way Speech Contest, but also the winner of the District competition held in Aurora (featuring the winners of each club's local contest.)  Congratulations Ashwin!

Video of his speech from the District contest can be found here on YouTube!  

            The Rotary Club of Solon has announced Rosemary Reid as its student of the month for February 2012. 

            Rosemary, a Solon Middle School eighth grader, is described as “striving for excellence in everything she does” and as a “wonderful student” who successfully takes advanced course work in math, science, and languages and shows the qualities of a “natural leader who leads by example.”  In addition to her academic achievements, Rosemary is a talented singer who participates in Solon School’s Mixed Ensemble and Chamber Ensemble, serves on the Community Service Committee of the Student Counsel, and plays on the Middle School’s girls’ basketball team. 

            Rosemary is also active in the community, and it was said that “if there is a cause to support, she is usually first in line to sign up!”  She was a girl scout for 8 years, has volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House and in a local soup kitchen and church, and has participated in Relay for Life.

            In brief comments to the Rotary Club, Rosemary thanked her parents, her brothers, and her teachers for "steering her in the right direction" and helping her to make the right decisions.  She also said that despite a sometimes overwhelming schedule, she tries to always stay involved in the community, and she's happy to be in a community like Solon that offers so many opportunities for community service.

The Rotary Club of Solon is holding "A Night at the Races" at the Solon Community Center the evening of February 4, 2012!  $35/person will include a buffet dinner, beer, soft drinks and mixers.   Bring your own wine and liquor!  The event, to be held from 6pm to 11pm, will feature simulated horse racing, wagering opportunities, and raffles, including Super Bowl "square" boards.  Proceeds will support the Rotary Club of Solon's local projects in Solon and surrounding communities.  Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased by going to the Rotary Club of Solon's EventBrite page.

 Additional information is also available in the linked flyer. 

The Rotary Club of Solon has announced Matt Ayzenberg as its student of the month for December 2011. 

Matt, a Solon High School freshman, is already taking advanced classes and active in school activities, including the yearbook club and Solon High School’s chess club, and also serves as a Guidance Office aide.  He is described as “very reliable, polite and helpful.”

Matt is also active in the community, and volunteers weekly at the Montefiore Nursing Home in Beachwood, visiting with residents, serving food, and translating for Russian-speaking residents.  He also has volunteered at a retirement community in Chagrin Falls.  His goal is to make life easier for people in need, and in particular to help people be able to walk after injuries.  Matt plans a pre-med curriculum and ultimately to become an orthopedic surgeon.

In comments to the Club after receiving the award, Matt stated that he was “greatly honored and privileged” to receive the award, thanked his parents and others for their constant encouragement, and stated his hope to “improve the world one minute at a time, one person at a time.”

In keeping with its local mission of “Enhancing the Minds and Bodies of Our Children,” the Rotary Club of Solon, in partnership with Heinen's, participated in a service project to provide much-needed groceries to 10 families this Thanksgiving season.  "Helping those less fortunate than we are, especially during this season of giving thanks, is what the Rotary is all about," said Kevin Cox, President of the Rotary Club of Solon.

Five members of the Rotary Club of Solon, with assistance from their sons, gathered at the Heinen's in Bainbridge on Wednesday, November 23rd, to coordinate efforts to hand-deliver eight bags of groceries to each of ten different Geauga County families.  "It felt great to see how happy the family was when we knocked on their door and gave them food so they could enjoy Thanksgiving.  I want to do this again sometime soon," said Tyler McRill, a 7th grade student at Solon Middle School.

The Rotary Club of Solon next plans to “adopt” three Solon-area families for the holidays.

Pictured from left to right:  Back Row: Rob Previte, David Lunardi, Scott McRill and Jim Hyde; Front Row: Jeremy Previte, Kevin Cox, Skylar Lunardi, Tyler McRill and Troy Hyde.

            The Rotary Club of Solon has announced Eugene “EMack” Bentley as its student of the month for November 2011. 

The Rotary Club of Solon has announced Ethan Wainblat as its student of the month for October 2011.  Ethan, a Solon High School senior, is an AP scholar and has had his poetry published.  A longtime Boy Scout, he is nearing completion of his Eagle Scout Project, involving repairs to docks at Shadow Lake and park benches.  He has also served as a Merit Badge Counselor.  Ethan is an active volunteer for the Great Lakes Science Center and many other organizations, having logged more than 1,500 hours of community service.  Ethan is also a director for Comet Productions, Solon High School's student video production company, and is the President of the Solon High Fencing Club. 

The Rotary Club of Solon will hold its second annual "Bowl for Water" fundraiser event, sponsored by Aquafina, on October 22, 2011 at Freeway Lanes, starting at 5pm.  Proceeds will be dedicated to international clean drinking water projects.   Last year's inaugural "Bowl for Water" raised $6,000 on behalf of Blue Planet Network.

A $15 ticket includes two hours of cosmic bowling (5pm to 7pm or 7pm to 9pm), pizza, soda, and a live DJ.  Celebrity bartending and raffles will also be held; a $5 admission applies to those who wish to attend without bowling.  A party will continue in Freeway Lanes' bar after 9 p.m.

Lane sponsorships remain available for $200; your company logo or sign will be displayed on the lane for a week prior to and after the Bowl for Water.  Other sponsorship opportunities are available.  For sponsorship information or to provide a raffle item, contact Glenn Gable at 216-470-1885 or info@freewaylanes.com.

The Rotary Club of Solon is, quite literally, helping to "pave the way" to the Solon Center of the Arts by selling personalized paver bricks that will be included in a newly-designed courtyard and outdoor stage.  Tax-deductible donations start at $100 for  a 4x8 brick paver.  Additional options include an 8x8 brick paver ($250) and 12x12 limestone ($500) or granite ($1000) square pavers.  All pavers may be personalized with your name or other message, or for an additional fee a corporate logo can be engraved.. 

The Rotary Club of Solon raised more than $7,000 at its "Night at the Races" fundraiser held at the Solon Community Center on June 25, 2011.  More than 130 attendees were treated to a buffet dinner and simulated horse racing, as well as a 50/50 raffle and several auctions of sports-themed prize packages.

In keeping with the Rotary Club's mission of "Enhancing the Minds and Bodies of Our Children," the funds raised by the event will be used for projects and improvements in Solon Community Park, the Recreation Center, and the Solon Center for the Arts.  Identification of specific projects is now underway.  Club vice-president Ned Bergen, who also served as the event chair for "Night at the Races," said "We're pleased to be able to work to improve parks, recreation and arts facilities right here in Solon.  The Club thanks all of those who contributed to make this event a success." 

Cierra Haupert, an 8th grader at Solon Middle School, has been named the Rotary Club of Solon's "student of the month" for June 2011.  Cierra participates in a wide variety of activities, from athletics and music to service.  She is on the track team and is an active member of Student Council. In addition, she sings with the mixed and chamber ensembles and was selected for the honor choir.  Her teachers describe her as sweet, a hard worker and someone who is always kind to others. She has an exemplary attitude toward school and her extra-curricular activities and always carries herself with dignity. She is an “absolute treasure to have in class,” her teachers report.

The Rotary Club of Solon is holding "A Night at the Races" at the Solon Community Center the evening of June 25!  $35/person will include a buffet dinner and beer (bring your own wine or liquor), plus simulated horse racing, wagering opportunities, and raffles.  Proceeds will support the Rotary Club of Solon and its projects with the Solon Recreation Department, including the Solon Center for the Arts!

More information, including horse and race sponsorship, is available in this flyer; tickets and sponsorships can be purchased following the instructions in the flyer or by visiting EventBrite.

The Rotary Club of Solon's inaugural "Service Above Self" award for a Solon Student of the Month goes to Mycah Wells, a 17-year old senior at Solon High School.  Mycah is an active board member for the Solon High School Diversity Acceptance Program, a club that celebrates and embraces diversity at SHS. Mycah's leadership this year has elevated awareness of the DAPs club and encouraged a growing number of SHS students to participate in the learning opportunities the club sponsors.  In addition, Mycah has excelled at the Culinary Arts career tech study program based at Beachwood High School. Mycah earned a bronze medal in the national competition for culinary arts students and applies her skills in her own baking business.  Her future plans after graduation include attending Culinary School in Charlotte, N.C., in the fall.

Mycah said that "I never thought doing something I love would get me here."

 The Rotary Club of Solon will sponsor monthly "Service Above Self" awards, alternating between Solon High School and Solon Middle School, on an ongoing basis, with the assistance of Solon Schools' guidance office personnel. 

The Rotary Club of Solon cordially invites members of the Chagrin Valley, Hillcrest, Shaker, Bedford, Twinsburg, and Chagrin Highlands clubs to join us on Wednesday, June 22 from 5-8pm for a social gathering at Freeway Lanes of Solon.  There will be a short club meeting during the mixer, featuring Bedford Municipal Court Judge Harry J. Jacob, III as our guest speaker.

$5 cost per person includes Perky's Pizza and sliders, with a cash bar available.

 See attached flyer for more information. 

Join us at Signature of Solon on May 4 for a inspirational presentation by NASA Astronaut Michael J. Foreman.  Captain Foreman, an Ohio native,  is currently the Chief of External Programs at NASA Glenn Research Center and is a veteran of two space shuttle missions, among many other professional accomplishments. He has logged over 637 hours in space, including five spacewalks totaling over 32 hours.

 Captain Foreman's speech will begin at 7:00; a pasta and chicken parmesan buffet dinner (with complimentary beverage) will be served starting at 6:00.  All ages are welcome!  Cost is $12 per person.  Signature of Solon is located at 39000 Signature Drive, Solon OH 44139.  Contact Betty Hickle (elizabeth.hickle@stvincentcharity.com) or Matthew Liebson (matthew.liebson@thompsonhine.com) with questions or reservations, or call Signature of Solon at 440-449-8888.

Representative Steven LaTourette (OH-14) will be the featured speaker at our Wednesday morning breakfast meeting (7:15 am, Freeway Lanes, 33185 Bainbridge Road)!

Bowl For Water at Freeway Lanes

Meet Katie Spotz while raising funds to provide clean drinking water!

The Rotary Club of Solon's First Fundraising Event