Thanks to Rotary Club of Missoula, Hellgate High School freshman Bridger Goris, 15, of Missoula, will travel to Germany this fall as a Rotary Youth Exchange student. This exciting opportunity will allow him to attend school, live with host families, and experience daily life in another country while serving as a young ambassador for his community and Rotary.

Bridger has already had some different cultural experiences. He was born in Havana, Cuba, and his family then lived in Spain for seven years; thus, he is fluent in Spanish. Bridger has already visited 29 countries during his young life, but he wants to learn even more about different cultures.  

Bridger shared with attendees at the District Conference in Helena last weekend that he enjoys music (he and Kathy discussed guitar and songs they like) and reading, among other activities. Bridger also plays the tuba and trumpet and is part of jazz band at Hellgate. What better American ambassador representing the Rotary Club of Missoula in Germany than a musician? 

Rotary Youth Exchange is one of Rotary’s most meaningful investments in peace, leadership, and international understanding. Through the program, students gain confidence, independence, language skills, and a broader worldview. At the same time, host families, schools, and local communities benefit from the friendships and cultural exchange that grow from these experiences. Just ask anyone who was an exchange student or who hosted one.

As Bridger prepares for his year in Germany, we celebrate this important milestone and wish him every success on the journey ahead. He says he is learning as much German as he can prior to his departure. We look forward to hearing about his experiences and the many ways this exchange will deepen understanding, strengthen leadership, and reflect Rotary’s commitment to building goodwill across borders.

Thank you to Martha Ripley, Youth Exchange chair, for your Service Above Self, and to Cindy Fulks who has served this year as counselor for an exchange student.

UNITE FOR GOOD.

President Shari 

America honored the heroes of our country on Monday. Soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country rest in graves all around the world.  We honor the fallen each year on Memorial Day. We remember them for their contributions to maintaining our freedom. 

The Daily Missoulian pictured above was published in Missoula on “Monday Morning, November 11, 1918” announcing the end of the World War. Many of us had relatives who fought and died in ”The Great War" or “The World War” as it is called in the lede article, and what everyone called it until the world had to start numbering our wars. A statue honoring the doughboys of World War I stands in front of the Missoula County Courthouse. 

Thanks to all the many Rotary Club of Missoula members, friends and colleagues who volunteered to help out with the Playfair Park project our club carried out on Saturday, May 16. The project, according to our Club EPIC Day Chair Phyllis Green, was coordinated with the Missoula Parks & Recreation Department. 

Everyone worked hard weeding beds, shoveling sand underneath the swings, and spreading mulch. It was a glorious, EPIC day despite the cool weather and threatening clouds, which dropped a bit of moisture on everyone.

Special thanks to Martha Ripley for coordinating everyone's arrival, to Bill Schwanke for donating pizza, to Phyllis Green for donating beverages, and to Victoria Emmons for providing the water.