Rotary Club of Clinton

08/31/2026

We were excited to welcome Theresa Shultz, Clinton High School Principal, and Jim Bengston, Work-Based Learning Coordinator, to Rotary!

They shared updates on the newly renovated high school and the district’s growing work-based learning program, which connects students with local businesses through job shadows, internships, and hands-on career experiences. We also heard from Jace Burgland, a Clinton High student who shared his experience completing an internship with River City Fencing.

Thank you to Theresa, Jim, and Jace for sharing how our community can help prepare the next generation for success! 💙

08/25/2026

Today, the Rotary Club of Clinton joins the world in mourning the loss of Dolly Parton—a beloved artist, philanthropist, and champion for children and literacy.

Dolly’s extraordinary legacy reaches far beyond her music. Through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, inspired by her father’s inability to read, she helped bring the joy of books and reading to children around the world. Her belief was simple and powerful: every child deserves the opportunity to dream, learn, and discover through the pages of a book.

Her commitment to literacy also connected her directly with Rotary. Rotary International and Dolly’s Imagination Library partnered to promote early childhood reading, with Rotary clubs helping fund the program, enroll children, and place books into the hands of young readers in hundreds of communities. Dolly herself spoke warmly of Rotarians and the shared commitment to service that brought our organizations together. She also addressed the Rotary International Convention in Montréal in 2010. (Rotary)

As Rotarians, we honor a woman whose life reflected so much of what we believe in: service, generosity, education, and creating hope for future generations.

Thank you, Dolly, for the music, the laughter, the kindness—and for reminding us that one book, one child, and one act of generosity can help change the world.

Rest in peace, Dolly. Your songs will live on, and so will the countless dreams you helped inspire. 💛📚🎶

08/18/2026

Clinton Community Schools is heading into 2026–27 with strong momentum! 📚✨

Mariah Reeves shared highlights including continued enrollment growth, strong staff retention, improving graduation rates, expanded work-based learning, and a continued focus on high-quality instruction and student success.

Most importantly, she emphasized the power of community partnership in helping every student thrive. It truly takes all of us! 💙🐾

08/10/2026

Dave Hlas, CCSD’s Director of Student Services, recently shared how the district supports students and families facing challenges such as food insecurity, housing instability, transportation, health, and mental health needs.

With more than half of CCSD students receiving meal assistance and approximately 125 students identified as homeless last year, the need is significant. CCSD works to connect families with resources, provide basic necessities, offer mental health and after-school support, and build lasting relationships with students and families.

Dave’s message was clear: the need is significant, relationships matter, and it takes our entire community to support Clinton kids. Through strong partnerships with local organizations, volunteers, and community members, we can help remove barriers and ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed. ❤️📚

08/03/2026

Clinton Community School District Superintendent Wes Golden shared an encouraging update with Rotary this week, highlighting the district's focus on student achievement, responsible financial stewardship, and preparing every student for the future. He also reported that the Clinton High School renovation is nearly complete and remains on budget, while celebrating gains in enrollment, teacher retention, attendance, and academic performance. Thank you, Wes, for sharing the district's vision and progress with our club!

07/27/2026

The Clinton Public Library is going far beyond borrowing books! 📚

At this week's Rotary meeting, CPL's staff Susie Mesecher, Kendra Evers, and Selena Fergurson shared updates on their library programs, including Summer Reading, STEM camps, teen activities, Park Nights, and school outreach. "We do a lot more than just check out books," said Library Director Susie Mesecher.

Thank you to the Clinton Public Library and its community partners for helping make Clinton a great place to learn, connect, and grow! 😃

07/20/2026

This week, our Rotary Club welcomed Jennifer Jansen and Alyssa Schroeder to learn more about Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and its impact on Clinton County.

Since 2012, the program has provided more than 164,000 free books to local children from birth to age five, helping foster a lifelong love of reading. The presenters shared the importance of early literacy and how community support makes it possible for more than 1,200 children to receive a free book each month.

Thank you to Jennifer and Alyssa for an inspiring presentation and for all they do to support young readers in our community! 📚💙

07/03/2026

06/30/2026

Today is the day!!! ✨🎉

Come to the Clinton Lumberkings game tonight for our Annual Rotary Night! Gates open at 5 PM and the game is at 6:30 PM. Reach out to Dale Dalton for any questions and we will see you at the ball game! ⚾️ 💙 ⚾️

06/16/2026

What makes Rotary special? The people. 💙🩵💛✨💙🩵💛

This week, our club launched a new program called Member Moments, where seven Rotarians shared their personal and professional stories, giving us a deeper look into the experiences, careers, and passions that shape our club. Most importantly, it reminded us that Rotary is about building relationships, learning from one another, and using our unique skills to serve our community.

Thank you to Sue Watkins, Andy Fergurson, Tom Determann, Kathy Klahn, Levi Jones, Savannah Daugherty, and Heather Farwell for sharing their stories. We look forward to hearing from more members in future Member Moments!