The Rotary Club of Oak Ridge Sunset will again hold its Da Vinci Arts & Science Fair for the first time since 2019. The fair is open to third, fourth, fifth, and sixth-grade students, and will feature two new options: a Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) Category and 2024 Optional Project Theme: ENERGY. The Da Vinci Arts & Science Fair will be held May 4th & 5th, 2024 at Jefferson Middle School in Oak Ridge.
In addition to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards presented to each grade, a new STEAM award will be presented to a student in each grade. Students who would like to be judged as a part of the STEAM category will be asked to write a short paragraph of 2–3 sentences explaining how they utilized visual art and creativity to display their project. This paragraph must be posted and visible on their display.
This year, we are also implementing an optional theme for students to address in their projects. ENERGY is all around us in many forms. Students who would like to include 3–4 sentences to explain how ENERGY is depicted in their project will be eligible for a special Judges' Choice Award. This paragraph must be posted and visible on their display.
Registration forms for Art entries: Art Project Registration
Registration forms for Science entries: Science Project Registration
The online registration deadline for all students is April 26, 2024. Confirmation will be sent via email.
Students displaying art projects should take two signed copies of the registration confirmation email with their projects to Jefferson Middle School on May 3 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. For science projects, entrants will need to take one signed copy of the registration confirmation email when they set up their projects on May 4.
Winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony in the Jefferson Middle School Auditorium at 3:00 on Sunday, May 5, preceded at 2:00 by an open house when entries are available for viewing. All participants, parents, teachers, and the public are invited to attend.
Our American Roots
An Exploration of Cultures
The Implementation of Our American Roots is based on the following premise:
The “us vs. them” mentality is pervasive in many areas. And yet, as members of the human race, we are all more alike than we are different. Even so, there are differences among us – differences in culture, language, beliefs, and values. If we can understand, respect, and appreciate these differences, we can bridge the gap between “us and them.” Our American Roots is designed to build bridges.
Our American Roots is presented by the Oak Ridge Institute for Continued Learning in partnership with the Rotary Club of Oak Ridge Breakfast. The three remaining programs are scheduled below.
- Persecution of Uyghurs in China – A Uyghur’s Perspective.
Tuesday, March 26, 2024, 5 p.m.,* CNS New Hope Center, 602 Scarboro Rd.
Speaker: Dr. Abdurahim Oguz, ORNL Physicist and Uyghur. - Navigating Identities and Borders – The Evolution of Latino Immigration and U.S. Policy.
Tuesday, April 9, 2024, 5 p.m.,* CNS New Hope Center, 602 Scarboro Rd.
Speaker: Arléne Amarante, Assistant Professor of Law, Lincoln Memorial University. - From Peddlers to PhDs – The Jewish Experience in East Tennessee.
Thursday, May 16, 2024, 5 p.m.,* CNS New Hope Center, 602 Scarboro Rd.
Speaker: Wendy Besmann, Author of A Separate Circle: Jewish Life in Knoxville.
Sunday, July 17, 2022
“Above and Beyond“
It is a privilege as President to get to recognize one club member who has truly shown us what is means to go “Above and Beyond”. We have many club members who do excellent work to give back to those less fortunate but this year, one member really stuck out.I would like to award Syd Ball the President's Award for his service above self through his efforts to support those affected by the war in Ukraine. Syd was moved by the reports of millions of Ukrainian citizens forced to flee their homes. Instead of turning away, he got to work. He spent countless hours researching ways to help and found the opportunity to leverage the network of Rotary International. He spent time “building goodwill and better friendship” with a club in Lublin, Poland that is truly on the frontlines. Next, Syd got to work raising money by calling friends and family members, engaging our club, speaking to other Rotary clubs, getting information in the newspaper, and much more. We know his hard work is directly helping some of the most vulnerable and very likely savings lives.
For this and many reasons, I am so proud to have Syd as a fellow Rotarian and it is my honor to award him with The Presidents Above and Beyond Award. Thank you for your service.
Emily DeJarnett, President 2021-2022
“Katie Kanowsky Shooting Star Award“
This award is given to an individual who exemplifies the spirit of Rotary’s “Service Above Self” and who is always lending a hand.(Katie was a charter member of the club and its youngest member at that time. She was a board member and Integral in designing our first website. She sadly passed away after a long struggle with cancer. Our club honors her annually with an award given in her name to an outstanding member.)
To this year’s awardee: we thought it only appropriate that TWO wonderful individuals receive the award for jumping in head-first to participate and display their attitude service. Both individuals have already shown they are ready to take on any project with energy and enthusiasm. They both have great attitudes and great ideas on how we might improve our ability to serve. Their presence is not only enjoyable but also incredibly helpful.
From the moment Bonnie Hebert and Tricia Jaffery joined our club we all know they would be a fantastic Rotarians, and I am excited to see them expand their larger roles as I fully expect her role in Rotary in the coming years to be spectacular. Much like a shooting star.
For this reason, I would like to award Bonnie Hebert and Tricia Jaffery recipients of the Katie Kanowsky Shooting Star Award. Thank you for your service, your positivity, and friendship. We are all proud to have you both as a fellow Rotarians.
Emily DeJarnett, President 2021-2022
“Katie Kanowsky Shooting Star Award“
This award is given to an individual who exemplifies the spirit of Rotary’s “Service Above Self” and who is always lending a hand.(Katie was a charter member of the club and it’s youngest member at that time. She was a board member and Integral in designing our first website. She sadly passed away after a long struggle with cancer. Our club honors her annually with an award given in her name to an outstanding member.)
To this year’s awardee: Emily DeJarnett, a person who has an amazing attitude for service. She is always ready to take on any project she is given. She is incredibly organized and always has great ideas on how we might improve our ability to serve. Her presence is not only enjoyable but also incredibly helpful.
From the moment she joined our club I knew she would be a fantastic Rotarian and I am excited to see her grow into larger roles as I fully expect her role in Rotary in the coming years to be spectacular. Much like a shooting star. For this I would like to award Emily Dejarnette the Katie Kanowsky Shooting Star Award.
Thank you for you service, your positivity, and friendship. I am proud to have you as a fellow Rotarian.
Margaretanne Ingle, President 2018-2019
Sunday, June 30, 2019
“Above and Beyond“
Sometimes the quiet ones are often overlooked as influential or sustaining great importance to the success of a group. That is why I am so grateful to have the opportunity to recognize this individual for his dedication to our club.I would like to award David Stanley The Presidents Award for his service above self and his heart warming attitude. David is always present and ready to help at all of our service projects. He usually walks in quietly even when he isn’t scheduled wearing that sweet genuine smile and asks how things are going...then he asks how he can help. He has always happily more than willing to help anytime I called upon him.
I would also like to commend him for his philanthropic nature and charitable heart. Not only has he given a substantial amount to the Rotary Foundation and has been honored with a Paul Harris Plus 7 recognition but he has always graciously given to all of our projects in which we have participated.
Last but not least, he saw a need for a project in our community and single handedly conducts this project of gathering donations for the men’s rehabilitation center every quarter.
I am so proud to have David as a fellow Rotarian and it is my honor to award him with The Presidents Above and Beyond Award.
Thank you for your service.
Margaretanne Ingle, President 2018-2019
Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.
Rotary club membership represents a cross-section of the community's business and professional men and women. The world's Rotary clubs meet weekly and are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds. More info.....
Rotary membership provides the opportunity to: Become connected to your community. Work with others in addressing community needs. Interact with other professionals in your community; assist with RI's international humanitarian service efforts. Establish contacts with an international network of professionals. Develop leadership skills. Involve family in promoting service efforts. More info.....
The following is a listing of the awards and recognitions received by year at District Conference.
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