Rotarian of the Week 06-08-11

Our Rotarian of the Week grew up in Denver, graduating Smoky Hill High School, home of the Buffaloes.  Our special Rotarian’s first job was working at a candy store for $1.10 an hour.  After high school, she attended Colorado State University before transferring to the University of Wyoming where she earned a degree in economics.  Later, she returned to college and earned a Master’s degree in Spanish and her teaching certificate.  Today, Beth Van De Wege is a reading interventionist at Hobbs Elementary where she helps students with special reading issues.  She previously ran the Montessori school for 16 years.  Beth and her husband, Pat Day, will celebrate their 30the anniversary next summer and have four grown children.  Two of their kids went on Rotary youth exchanges to Italy and Argentina.  Beth and Pat have also hosted NINE youth exchange students in their home. In her free time Beth enjoys playing tennis, golf, skiing, spending time at their cabin in Keystone, Wyoming, and time with her kids.  Her favorite food is Mexican food and she especially enjoys the beef and bean burrito smothered in green chili at Los Amigos.  Her proudest accomplishment is learning another language after the age of 40.  Beth likes Rotary because of the youth exchange program and its ability to knock down borders among countries and promote world peace and understanding one exchange at a time.  Her most memorable Rotary experience is every year at District Conference when the youth exchange students sing love in any language.  Beth has been a member of Rotary since 2005 when she was sponsored by Gay Woodhouse.  Since that time, she has been very active in the youth exchange program including serving six years on the District Youth Exchange Committee, five of them as the co-chair.  Beth also hosts the annual youth exchange retreat at their cabin.  Without her hard work and dedication, our Club's and District's youth exchange program would not be what it is today.  In appreciation of her service to our Club, the District, and the youth of the World, the Sergeant at Arms presented Beth with a gift certificate so she can enjoy the Los Amigos special and a special lapel pin.