Posted on Nov 18, 2021
Plano West Rotary Club (PWRC) believes in the training, development and mentorship of youth, and we’ve put our money where our collective mouth is for decades now. For more than 30 years, our club has awarded college scholarships to local high school students who show qualities of a future Rotarian, as well as scholarships for students to attend Camp RYLA, a youth leadership experience.
 
For the past 35 years, PWRC has held a pecan sales fundraiser in the fall. From November through January, our club members will sell 14-ounce bags of shelled, Texas-grown pecans for $10 each. The goal is to raise money to fund these scholarships.
 
In addition, an annual donation in honor of past-club president Brenda Taylor as well as a district grant from The Rotary Foundation have raised the additional funds needed to provide the scholarships.
 
 
The criteria for a local student to be considered for a scholarship include participation in Rotary Youth Services and/or volunteering in the community. In spring of 2021, four students received a $700 scholarship to attend Camp RYLA, and three high school graduates received $2,000 scholarships to attend college.
 
Now studying at University of Texas in Austin, Julia Lin was one of the 2021 college scholarship recipients as a student at Plano Senior High School. “Rotary taught me how to be a leader. I learned how to use my voice to advocate for others. I learned how to implement project plans to give back to the local and international community,” Julia said. “I am still a work in progress, but I am glad that Rotary chose to continue investing in my leadership and education into college. “I am blessed to know that there is a community who is willing to support me in my endeavors.”
 
PWRC president Alex Johnson emphasizes that Rotary believes in developing the next generation of leaders. “Developing future Rotarians is the dream. Plano West Rotary Club has been exceptionally good at it. The kids of yesterday are the community leaders of today. I’m proud to call them my peers, friends, and fellow Rotarians.”
 
 
How to Purchase Pecans
 
We are asking our neighbors to help Plano West Rotary Club in our commitment to fostering leadership development in local students. To purchase a 14-ounce bag of shelled, Texas-grown pecans for $10 each, the public may contact any PWRC member, call 972-905-0293 or email info@planowestrotary.com. The following locations will also carry pecans:
King Arthur's Clock - 1201 N Central Expy, Plano
Southern Maid Donuts - 2492 K Avenue, Plano
Hirsch's Meats - 1301 W Parker, Ste 100, Plano
Huffines Chrysler Jeep - 4500 W Plano Pkwy, Plano
Collin County Courthouse - 2100 Bloomdale, McKinney