On Thursday, March 28, at the BTC Bank meeting room, the Trenton Rotary Club welcomed an Italian exchange student who shared her experiences and insights from her homeland and her time in the United States. The meeting was presided over by Jackie Soptic, with Dan Wilford leading the prayer and Brian Upton serving as the sergeant at arms.
Emma Raebelli, the exchange student staying with Dillon and Lora Harp’s family and currently attending Trenton High School for this academic year, discussed her journey through the Pan Atlantic Foundation. This nonprofit organization has successfully placed over 500 exchange students from various countries in U.S. high schools for a semester or a full academic year. Among these, three students were placed in Carrollton, while Raebelli found her second home in Trenton with the Harps. She expressed her desire to improve her English and immerse herself in a different culture as the main reasons for joining the exchange program. Despite initial concerns about making friends, Raebelli noted the welcoming nature of her peers at Trenton High School, where she also participated in the volleyball team and other activities.
Lora Harp, who was present at the meeting, highlighted the enriching experience of hosting Emma and the positive cultural exchange impact on her two children. The Harp family is looking forward to hosting another student next year through the Pan Atlantic program.
The Trenton Rotary Club also received updates about the upcoming April 2 election ballot proposals from Scott Sharp and Lauren Danner regarding the proposed one-half percent city economic development sales tax and Daniel Gott on the Trenton R-9 School District’s no-tax-increase proposal for various improvements.
Sharp outlined that the economic development sales tax is projected to generate approximately $400,000 annually, funding initiatives like infrastructure development, business incentives, and workforce development, overseen by a five-member board. Meanwhile, Gott explained the R-9 School District proposal aims to utilize $3.5 million in bonds to fund crucial infrastructure upgrades without increasing taxes.
Additionally, the club discussed community service initiatives, including the Shoes for Orphan Souls and Bright Futures Trenton shoe projects, with a donation deadline on April 4. Future activities involve supporting the TMS track team and volunteering at the Thrift Shop.
The next Trenton Rotary Club meeting will feature Dan Wilford on April 4, with programming for the month led by Wilford and Doug Tye, and Joe MacDonald serving as the sergeant at arms.
