Rotary Avenues of Service - Vocational Service

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The Hamden Rotary Club believes strongly in the youth of our society and has developed many awards and programs involving them and honoring them for having “Rotarian” qualities such as honesty, kindness and caring for others.

Some of the vocational projects we are involved in are the following:

The Rotary Club of Hamden sponsors a day for Rotarians to bring high school students to their place of business to share career opportunities.   The club works with Junior Achievement and uses their Job Shadow Program literature and guidelines to help Rotarians prepare and plan for a day that would be appropriate for the students.   Students spend the morning at the Rotarian’s place of business and then share lunch at a local restaurant with other students and Rotarians who have participated in the program. 

The Rotary Club of Hamden provides several scholarships each year for post-secondary education.  In May 2004 we provided two college scholarships to seniors at Hamden High School. We plan to do that again this spring.  We also gave funds to Gateway Community College for scholarships to deserving students in December 2004.

The Rotary Club of Hamden sponsored a new Rotaract club at Quinnipiac University.  Hamden Rotarian Mohammad Elahee is a professor at the university and did a wonderful job setting up the club.  The inaugural ceremony was held in May 2005.  We look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with the students.

The Rotary Club of Hamden recognizes outstanding students in our community in many ways:

Grammar school “Student of the Month” awards.   Each month during the school year we honor a student from each grammar school in our town.   The student is chosen by the teachers and principle for things such as helpfulness and kindness and other traits that Rotarians value.  The student is invited to attend a meeting with their family, teacher and principle and is awarded with a certificate of achievement and a savings bond.  Pictures of the student are taken and posted on the club website and submitted to local newspapers.

Middle school awards.   A committee comprised of students from the Hamden Middle School chooses gift certificates to be awarded to their peers.  Awardees have been identified during the year for doing “good deeds”.

Hamden High School Top Scholar Awards.  The top ten scholars from Hamden High School are honored in the spring each year.  Students are invited to a special dinner with their parents and favorite teacher.  They are treated to a dinner and receive a certificate of achievement.

Hamden High School Athlete Awards.  One athlete from each sports team is chosen by their peers to receive this award for the best sportsmanship.  Athletes are invited to a special dinner with their parents and coach and receive a special trophy.