Merced Rotary clubs participate in International Literacy Day

Merced Rotary clubs are celebrating International Literacy Day on Tuesday by reading to seventh-grade students at Merced middle schools and hosting an essay contest.

Rotarians will read “What Do You Do With An Idea?” by Kobi Yamada to students at Tenaya, Hoover, Rivera and Herbert H. Cruickshank middle schools.

“What makes this book unique is that it is applicable to all ages, 5 to 105,” said Betsy Donovan Hobbs, vice president of the Merced Sunrise Rotary Club. “It can be used in all settings, elementary school through college, trade schools and in the work environment. It encourages the sharing of all ideas and the possibility that your idea might be one that changes the world.”

The poster and essay contest asks the students to consider the following question: If you had no limitations, nothing to hold you back, what would your big idea be?

Students should illustrate their idea with the poster and explain how their “big idea” could change the world in a 500-word essay.

The deadline to submit entries is Sept. 21. Judges will review the entries by Sept. 28 and announce the winners, who will be invited to attend a Rotary meeting where prizes for first-, second- and third-place will be awarded.

Rotary has been in Merced since 1921. Currently, four Rotary clubs serve Merced and participate in a number of literacy projects throughout the year.

This story was originally published September 3, 2015 at 4:32 PM with the headline "Merced Rotary clubs participate in International Literacy Day."