STRIVE Parent Meeting

The Excelsior Rotary Club hosted the STRIVE Parent Information Meeting at Minnetonka High School on Thursday, September 24 at 7pm in the New Forum Room. The event drew 32 students, parents and Rotarians. All 11 of the students in attendance took contract sheets and affirmed that they would be joining STRIVE this year. Principal Abney kicked-off the program and encouraged the students and their parents to get on board with STRIVE to "push the peddle down" and to take advantage of the skills, motivation and support that STRIVE has to offer. The principal said "Dedicate yourself tonight to re-invent yourselves and began to realize your true potential!" President Dick Glover explained Rotary's commitment to STRIVE as a 5-year tradition of Service Above Self and what these kids can learn from their Rotary Mentors. Dick also talked about the four scholarships available to the students and some of the basics about the STRIVE Program. STRIVE Coordinator Erik Johnson then told his personal story and how he wished there had been a program like STRIVE when he was in high School. He asked the students what brought them to the meeting tonight and they all said that they want to do better in school. He told the kids, "Your grades show your achievement but do not measure your potential. Tonight let's start narrowing the gap between your achievenment and your potential. You will get the tools in STRIVE to raise you from where you are now to where you want to be!" Erik went on to describe the details and expectations of the program and reviewed the topics for the year and the format of each meeting. The program ended with the Rotarians present introducing themselves and Bob Williams told a great story about attitudes and how STRIVE will help them gain better attitudes. The first STRIVE Meeting will be held on October 8th.