John Smale introduced the Mayors of the Week for 2017, a program that has been in the works for over 30 years. Colin Leaver is now in charge of facilitating the program with 6 different high schools in the area. This is a beneficial program to Rotary. Young people involved reach their full potential and are strong candidates to become future Rotarians.
Tessa Lyng is a Grade 12 student at Quinte Secondary School and her top pick for the week was the Belleville Police Service where she saw first hand technology in the Forensic Identification Unit. She saw the new police forensic van, hot off the assembly line as well as the holding cells. A great program that has helped her choose a career path in politics and law. Tessa thanked the Rotary Club of Belleville for helping her step outside the classroom.
Quintin Lichty is in Grade 11 at Centennial Secondary School. He was very interested as they were escroted around the city of Belleville to learn about the different roles of running the city. They attended a City Council meeting and now, he is able to point out what is happening downtown, who owns what and how efficiently everything works. Quintin is interested in a career in business and was excited to have the opportunity of speaking with the City Treasurer, Brian Cousins, about the capital budget and maintaining many streets and roads in the area.
Sruthi Amalan who attends Moira Secondary School enjoyed the tour of the Wellness Center and meeting the Recreation Manager as well as the Water Treatment plant. Sruthi acknowledged her fellow Mayors as supportive individuals and felt the Mayors of the Week program taught her a lot. It seems Sruthi has her eye on the Mayor's chair.
Annissa Bray is a grade 10 student at Nicholson Catholic College and became involved in the Mayors of the Week program when her mom called her and said "hey are you busy?". She joined the program on day two and was very impressed with seeing the Belleville Police Station. The group took every opportunity to learn and meet the representatives of the City. Thank you to the Rotary Club for that opportunity.
Kyle Ellis attends St. Theresa's in Grade 12. He is interested in politics and was very interested in seeing the Water Treatment Plant. Kyle works for Spring Box Water so it held special interest for him to see what comes in and out of the Bay of Quinte. A great experience all around.
Troy Moxey is a student at Albert College. Without police, fire and roads our lives would be greatly impacted. The Wellness Center was his favourite, mainly because they were given popcorn and vitamin water. Troy is a swimmer so he was especially interested in learning how a pool is built and heated.
The students were thanked by their leader, Colin Leaver. Colin also thanked Mayor Christopher and numerous city staff who dedicate their time to share something with these students. Colin also thanked the school staff for their support of the program. Definitely the future of our City!