DG Mary Bedosky addressed the students, parents and Rotarians at the first Serve and Celebrate banquet encouraging students to continue with Rotary involvement after graduation. RYLA recipients were introduced. scholarship recipients were presented with certificates and checks, Interact sashes presented, and other awards were presented. The outgoing Interact board introduced the incoming board with various anecdotes and bits of advice. 
The Student Union was filled with a palpable sense of accomplishment as the Melissa Interact Club gathered for their annual awards banquet. The room buzzed with the energy of students, parents, and Rotarians, all there to celebrate a year defined by the motto "Service Above Self."
A Call to Lifelong Service
The evening’s inspiration reached a high point when District Governor Mary Bedosky took the podium. Her message was clear and heartfelt: graduation isn't an exit from the Rotary family, but an invitation to a larger stage. She encouraged the seniors to carry the torch of Interact into Rotaract clubs at their future universities, reminding them that the world needs their leadership now more than ever.
Celebrating Achievement
The focus then shifted to the specific milestones of the year. Dawn Kelley stepped up to introduce the three students chosen to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) camp. She spoke of the rigorous selection process and the life-changing week of personal growth that awaited them.
Following the RYLA introductions, Jill Hare, Interact sponsor, and Dawn presented certificates of accomplishment to many Interact members. Graduating students who had earned the Interact sash were identified.
Then the room grew quiet for the presentation of the Melissa Rotary Scholarships.
- Dawn Kelley and Melissa Rotary President Dana Conklin stood together at the front, calling the scholarship recipients forward:.Kate Garret, Ace Gustaveson, Addison Thomas, McKenzie Hendrickson, Hannah Ackerman, Rachel Lewis, Hemela Taddesse, and Brooklyn Landrum.
- Each student received a certificate and a check to support their upcoming collegiate journeys.
- Dana shared a few words on how these students hadn't just excelled academically but had shown a true heart for community service.
Passing the Gavel
The final portion of the evening was dedicated to the Transition of the Board. It was a moment of reflection and humor as the outgoing student leaders stood with their successors.
The outgoing board members offered a mix of funny anecdotes and poignant bits of advice. They spoke of the late-night planning sessions and the bonds they formed while serving others. As they handed over the symbolic leadership gavel, the incoming board looked on with a mix of nerves and excitement, ready to build on the legacy their peers had left behind.
Surprise at the End
Students presented Jill Hare with a huge birthday cake and a rousing rendition of the Happy Birthday song.
As the banquet concluded, the room wasn't just filled with award winners; it was filled with a community committed to making a difference, one project at a time
