COMMUNITY & CLUBS:

While your college students are at home for the holidays, discuss with them a scholarship program larger than the better-known Rhodes and Fulbright scholarships. Rotary District 5320 is looking for a few good candidates for three Ambassadorial Scholarships being offered in Orange County, for study abroad in 2009-10, according to Bob Silver, president of the Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa.

The scholarships top out at $25,000 a year, and candidates should have two years of college or be at the graduate level to apply.

The Ambassadorial Scholarships program aims to further international understanding and friendly relations among countries. The program sponsors several scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students as well as for qualified professionals pursuing vocational studies.

While abroad, scholars serve as ambassadors of goodwill to the people of the host country and give presentations about their homelands to Rotary Clubs and other groups. Upon returning, scholars share experiences that led to greater understanding of their host countries.

Worldwide, Rotary International offers more than 1,000 Ambassadorial Scholarships, making it one the largest scholarship programs in the world, according to Silver. Prospective candidates may download the scholarship application from www.rotary.org, The Rotary Foundation, Education Programs, then click on Ambassadorial Scholarships.

Applicants are interviews by the local Rotary Club and, if approved, are interviewed at the district level on June 6 and 7, 2008 when the pool of 10 to 15 candidates will be narrowed to three. For more information on the Ambassadorial Scholarship program, contact Rotarian Richard Holmgren at (949) 644-8244.

ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS

As family and friends gather for the holidays, let’s take time to let people know how important they are to us. Let that be your holiday present to them: showing them they are appreciated and loved. Discuss how each you will improve the world in 2008. Start with your own commitment! Model the behavior you want to see.

Merry Christmas to all!

WORTH REPEATING

From the Thought for the Day, as provided by Greg Kelley of the Newport-Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council:

“The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect; to all men, charity.”

COMMUNITY & CLUBS is published Saturdays in the Daily Pilot. Send your service club’s meeting information by fax to (714) 921-8655 or by e-mail to jdeboom@ aol.com.