Rotarians Celebrate Scholarships, 4-H Rotoractors, New Officers

Rotary of Mount Olive celebrated the Henderson Scholarships with two new winners and their families on Thursday June 3, 2021, at the Sleep Inn. Presented by Principal EJ Cromartie, went to Ariyona Core and Kiara Kornegay. Ariyona and Kiara will receive $2,000 each year for two years in college. Both soon to be college students were in class with Mr. Cormartie during seventh grade and he remembered them for their academic excellence in class. Ariyona’s parents are Stephanie McKinney and Andros Core. She will be attending Winston Salem State University in the fall to major in psychology.

Mount Olive Middle School Principal E.J. Cromartie

Kiara’s parents are Kimberly Kornegay and Vincent Smith. She will be attending UNC Charlotte to major in marking. Rotary of Mount Olive has hosted the Henderson Scholarships for many years in memory of one of their generous early members, Dr. C. C. Henderson, (1877-1963), a Mount Olive physician.

: Henderson Scholarship winner Ariyona Core, with parents Stephanie McKinney and Andros Core.

: Kiara Kornegay, with Mother Kimberly Kornegay and dad Vincent Smith.

On June 17, 4-H Club Roto Raptors FRC Team 3737 came to thank Rotary of Mount Olive for purchasing a trailer that will transport their robot to competitions. The purpose of the club is to “inspire young people to be science and technology leaders by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills.” The club also works to “provide opportunities to strengthen and enhance life skills such as communication, leadership, organization, problem solving and teamwork.”

The club attracts students from Wayne high schools with interest in robotics and technology. Recently they had to compete virtually, but soon they will be back in action for live competitions. Ms. Anne Finch, their advisor, noted that the group needs a 2000+ square foot building, with bathrooms and air conditioning, where they can store their tools and supplies as well as work on the robots. The most expensive part of their $20,000 budget is shipping parts. They also use the drill press, lathe, miter saw, band saw, and milling machine to make their robots. Adults supervise their work 24/7.

The team demonstrated how their robot was built and did several demos during the meeting. The club also does service projects such as blessing boxes, gifts for healthcare workers, and Memorial Day visits. They recently held a chicken dinner fund raiser, but they still need more funds to compete.

Rotoaractor team demonstrates how the robot works

Rotoractor team with Robot, left to right: Raelee Boren, Daniel Boren, Elijah Lee, Samuel Hinton, Jessica Poirier. Their leader is Anne Finch. For more information contact 4-H agent at 919-731-1527 or email [email protected] or visit website at http://rotoraptors.wix.com/team3737

Recently inducted into Rotary of Mount Olive are three employees of Kornegay Insurance, Tim Smith, Logan Kornegay and Larry Kornegay. Inducted by Membership Chair, Coy Brock, Kornegay Insurance joins multiple corporate memberships in Rotary of Mount Olive including Mt Olive Pickle, University of Mount Olive, Connor Law Firm, Lee Inc., and Tri-County EMC.

On Thursday, June 24, Rotary of Mount Olive held its end of year celebration at the Sleep Inn of Mount Olive. After a hearty meal of BBQ and all the trimmings prepared by President Herman McCullen and other Rotary cooks, new officers were installed, and year end awards were presented. Despite COVID, Rotary of Mount Olive was active via zoom meetings and projects including mask giveaways to area schools and a trailer to the 4H Rotoractors.

Coy Brock, club secretary, presided over the installation of new officers David Martin, President; Barbara Bryan, President Elect and Treasurer; and Kelley Thwaite, Vice President. Herman McCullen, now past president, was presented with a plaque and gavel; he then passed the president’s pin to new president David Martin.

Barbara Bryan presented Herman McCullen with the Paul Harris Pin, the highest honor of Rotary. Awards for Service Above Self were given to Doug Connor, Joe Caveness and Louis Pate. A certificate of honorary membership was presented to Barry Merrill, and Coy Brock received the Rotarian of the Year Award. In his first act of office, new President David Martin said “I grew up in Mount Olive, and I always wanted to see if thrive. That is what I will work to do with Rotary in the coming year.”