A Dictionary for Everyone
A number of us in the Rotary Club of Lillington, NC, delivered dictionaries to both Lillington-Shawtown Elementary School and Buies Creek Elementary School third graders as part of The Dictionary Project. Upon receipt of this gift, the typical response from the children is overwhelmingly enthusiastic. Some are reaching for the dictionaries before one of our members arrives at their desk or table, most start thumbing through them, checking out the tables in the back of the book and the maps.
During the hand out, one of our Rotarians will talk about the importance of a dictionary, and then ask the students to look up a word or two. We also always make sure to point out the plate in the front of each dictionary which has the Four-Way Test printed upon it. We recite the Test and then help to explain it so that the children might have the opportunity to use it in their decision-making.
While handing out the dictionaries a child said, “This dictionary is the best thing I ever got.” That is why we do what we do.
A parent volunteer was waiting at the Principal’s office at Buies Creek Elementary School and was excited to find out that we were the ones who had provided the dictionaries. Two years ago her daughter had gotten one and was still using it in the 5th grade. The child had mentioned receiving the book two years ago and that our group had presented them to her class.
Cougar Character Awards
It happens every 9 weeks at Lillington-Shawtown Elementary School; teachers select students who exemplify good character, and then Rotarians from our club present one child from each classroom with a Four-Way Test Medallion. The medallions are made by taking the traditional Rotary Four-Way Test coins, drilling a hole in the top of the coin and then stringing them on a lanyard. The kids seem so proud to walk up on that stage and get their awards. The coins have the questions for the Four-Way Test on one side; Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?, and the Rotary Emblem on the other side. There are usually about 36 awards for the ceremonies.
In this photo, Rotarian Dr. Tom Holmes has presented one of the students with her award.
What is Rotary?
The Rotary Club of Lillington is an organization of business and professional persons united with worldwide Rotary clubs who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world. You can learn more about our Club's projects and events within this site.
Chartered on October 23, 1937, the Rotary Club of Lillington has helped to make a better community. Working with the schools and helping build facilities for civic clubs and other events, the Rotary Club of Lillington has been a supporter of youth and education in our community and in the world.