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The Rotary Club of Parker has the honor to have been selected and empowered by Rotary International to create and execute a professional program and to host an Open World delegation from the Republic of Georgia from June 7-15, 2019. Open World is a bi-partisan initiative sponsored by the US Congress to establish business-cultural networking with Eastern post-Soviet Union countries. Five professional delegates from the Republic of Georgia will participate in a program on the theme of “Rural Tourism,” proudly and professionally designed and arranged by our Rotary Club of Parker. Members of the Rotary Club of Parker should make every effort to attend the following two events to welcome and learn from this delegation. You must RSVP by Saturday, June 1, 2019 to attend these events. RSVP to the Open World Chairman and program designer, Alvaro Pisoni, at pisoni@pisoni.com or 720-837-3394 (cell phone). 1) Welcome dinner on Friday, June 7. Time: 7:00 PM All Rotarians and spouses are invited to meet the delegation at the residence of Glenn and Joan Petty (4505 Carefree Trail, Parker 80134). The theme of the evening will be “Cowboy/Cowgirl.” Please wear Western-cowboy attire if you can! The dinner will be potluck (Janice Beller will coordinate what to bring) and entertainment will be provided by Rotarians Steve Brown and Jim Muir. 2) “Open World Day” Special Event on Thursday, June 13. Time: 7:00 AM On June 13, in lieu of our regular meeting we will have a special event totally dedicated to our official welcoming and presentations by the delegation and by Rotary International. We will also learn about the country of Georgia. This event will take place at the Conference Center at Boondocks Parker (18706 Cottonwood Drive, Parker 80138) and will include a breakfast buffet. All people present will be charged $15.00 per person, which includes breakfast and the event set-up. Please invite interested family members and friends to attend this special event. The delegation includes: - Elene Bukhaidze, co-founder of the Wine Tourism Association of Georgia
- Lamara Mtchedliani, head of the Tourism Development Department for the city of Mestia, Georgia
- Eduard Partsvania, Project Manager for the Destination Management Organization of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Region, Georgia
- Aleko Sardanashvill, founder and manager of Sardanashvili's Winery & Guest House
- Miriani Tsintsadze, Mayor's Advisor for International Relations & Economic Development for the city of Baghdadi, Georgia.
The delegates will be accompanied and assisted by Gvantsa Abuladze, Travel Facilitator, Shalva Bibilashvili, Professional Interpreter from Washington D.C. and Alvaro Pisoni, Open World Chairman and program designer from the Rotary Club of Parker. Highlights of the rural tourism program for the delegates include a presentation by the Colorado Tourist Office (part of the Colorado Office Of Economic Development and International Trade). The delegation will also travel to key areas of Colorado to meet with groups such as Chambers of Commerce, hotel associations, guest ranches, wineries, breweries, and economic development authorities. The delegates will visit Denver and the Rocky Mountains and will take part in several cultural and community activities Founded in 1999 by the US Congress, the Open World Leadership Center maintains a vast network of more than 28,000 professionals and administrators in strategic countries in Eastern Europe. Open World supports legislative diplomacy efforts for Members of Congress by conducting exchanges that establish lasting professional relationships between emerging leaders and their US counterparts while being hosted by American families. Some information on Georgia: Georgia is a little smaller than South Carolina. It is very mountainous, incorporating the Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and the Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south. The highest point is Mt'a Shkhara at 17,037 feet (compared to Colorado’s Mount Elbert at 14,433 feet); the mean elevation is 4700 feet above sea level (compared to Colorado at 6800 feet above sea level). Tusheti region of NE Georgia However, Georgia has something that Colorado does not – a coastline on the Black Sea: |
Sarah Gates. At Ponderosa, Sarah has served with Student Council and the Link Crew, as well as founding the Yoga Club. Sarah has served the Parker community through her involvement with Teen Court (four years) and the Parker Task Force. She also volunteers extensively at her church, including teaching young children. She is a National Merit Scholar. Sarah plans to major in engineering at the University of Oklahoma.
Austin Porros. Austin has participated in student government as well as serving on the Student Advisory Committee for the Douglas County School District for three years. He played tennis all four years at Ponderosa as well as serving as a manager of the girls’ tennis team. Austin’s Eagle Scout project was building benches at the Ponderosa football field. He participated internationally with Believe in Haiti and Humanitarian Experience for Youth (Africa). Austin plans to study psychology or neuroscience.
Brooklyn Pustari. Brooklyn has been active with FCCLA (Family, Community and Career Leaders) throughout her high school years; most recently she served on the state executive council, managing Colorado’s 3200 FCCLA members. She has volunteered with the Special Olympics for five years, coaching a local soccer team. She has received an academic letter all four years of high school. Brooklyn plans to attend the University of Northern Colorado to become an elementary school teacher.
Noah Gerwinat. Noah served the Chaparral community in student government, as part of the Red Blue Crew, and as an officer of DECA. He was a Co-Project Manager at Chaparral for Make-a-Wish Colorado, calling on over 100 local businesses for support. Noah participated in track and field while also lettering in academics all four years of high school. Noah plans to study business at the University of Arizona.
Sydney Tyler. Sydney has volunteered at Sky Ridge Hospital. She also served in student government and worked with special needs athletes. She has been an academic letter recipient all four years of high school while being on the cheerleading squad, serving as the varsity captain this year. Sydney plans to attend the University of Missouri to study nursing.
Belinda Wise. Belinda has been an active participant in the Rotary Interact Club at Chaparral and is currently serving on the team of officers. She has also served the Chaparral community as a writing tutor and as a member of Link crew, while being on the honor roll throughout high school. Belinda plans to study psychology at Brigham Young University.
The club also awarded one Vocational/Trade scholarship to Lucas Hernán of Chaparral High School. Lucas has been active in theater at Chaparral and has served the Chaparral community through his involvement with the Rotary Interact Club. He has served the Parker community through several years of volunteering for the Parker Task Force. In the fall, Lucas will be attending the Food Service program at Eastern New Mexico University—Roswell.
And finally, Rotarian Peggy Carter presented the club's Four-Way Test Scholarship to Emma Yanez. The applicants for this scholarship are asked to solve one of four provided dilemmas using Rotary's Four Way Test: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all? Emma is a graduate of Chaparral High School. While she was there she was involved with Link Crew, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor society and Writing Tutors. She plans on continuing her education at CU Boulder and majoring in speech and Language Pathology with a minor in Spanish.
