Rotary Delivers Margaret Pearson Scholarship

The Sparta Rotary Club had a lot to celebrate September 10. As part of their regularly scheduled meeting, they had two big items of note: their district governor was there for the meeting, and a scholarship was offered to two college students furthering their education.

The Margaret Pearson Scholarship acknowledges the many, many, many contributions to the community that Pearson once gave. The fact that most know her for in Sparta is that she was the first woman mayor, but there was much more than simply that. She had also been the first woman Alderman and first woman Vice-Mayor before winning as mayor in 1991. She was later the first woman president of Rotary Club as well.

The scholarship often goes to one student who chooses to further their education despite difficulties they have faced in life, or nontraditional students. This year, however, Motlow State Community College had two students who really exemplified those qualities: Clayton Hatterly and Freddie Roberts. Both received $250 from the scholarship.

District Governor Deb Birdsall was also there for the meeting, and she picked a wonderful day to do so. After being moved by the scholarship, she gave an unorthodox, unexpected speech about Rotary Club. Rather than talk about the need to go out and get new members or run through numbers on big events they are doing, she wanted to keep it person.

The theme of her speech was very nicely put with this statement she gave, “Empower each other, empower your fellow Rotarian, so we can reach out and empower the community.”

To this end, she spoke on various ways to reach out to the Rotarians fellow members. Check in on those who had not attended in some time or find ways to encourage them so they can find their passion again. She event hosted a little exercise for members to praise their favorite aspect of the Rotarian sitting next to them.

The Sparta Rotary Club is no stranger to big projects, community outreach, and doing its best to have a positive impact on Sparta. With Birdsall’s speech, they have been further empowered to reach out to their peers within the club, and while still supporting the Sparta that they know and love.