Guest Speaker:  Mary Rashleigh introduced our first speaker Claire Tusz who represented our club as an exchange student to Thailand in 2013. Claire, who was 17 when she left for Thailand said that her exchange was foundational for life’s trajectory.  She had three host families during the year and attended weekly Rotary meetings where she said they always sang Karaoke. She attended school where she found regular classes difficult because she didn’t yet speak Thai, so was allowed to take cooking classes.  She took a special class to learn to read and write the language and, by the end of the year was speaking fluently.  She arrived during rainy season and, with her club, helped people affected by the floods. Claire had many trips during the year including a week long hiking trip, visits to both Northern Thailand where she saw many temples and some elephants and to Southern Thailand where she enjoyed the beautiful beaches and islands.  She enjoyed get-togethers with exchange students from many other countries. She realized that, when she was telling people about her country, she was an ambassador for Canada.

Lessons she learned:  you know that things will be difficult, but you can adapt and it’s only for a year;  go in with goals;  stay productive;  you will want to be independent, but you must accept that the Rotarians want to look after you – respect their advice.  In 2025, Claire went back to Thailand and took her husband with her.  They visited all her host families and her Rotary club where she had to sing Karaoke once again.  In answer to questions Claire said that her experience as an exchange student has been valuable to her in her life and her business.  She thanked the club for giving her this advantage.

Claire was followed by Ava McKay who will be our exchange student next year.  She has learned that she will be going to a town called Bauru in Brazil and has had an online meeting with her first Mom.  She is busy learning Portuguese.  Her flight leaves on July 28^th.

Happy Bucks:

Connor Ryan was happy that his wife is pregnant with baby #4.  They are hoping for another girl.  Baby is due in October.

Mary Rashleigh was happy that Claire and Ava had come to speak to Rotary.

Liz Behrens’ granddaughter had a trip to Italy and is home safe.

Foundation Funding: 

Connor won the draw, but unfortunately didn’t pick the Joker.