Harbortown Rotary

06/01/2026

✨ Hermans Scholar Spotlight – Mya Johnson ✨
Join us in celebrating Mya Johnson, one of our outstanding Hermans Scholars!
Mya will be attending the University of North Dakota, where she plans to major in Forensic Science. Looking ahead, she hopes to pursue a career in forensic science or genetic counseling—fields that reflect both her curiosity and her passion for making a meaningful impact.
Mya describes herself as a driven and hardworking individual with a strong sense of humor, a combination that has helped her succeed throughout high school. Her time in school began at Homecroft Elementary, and she has continued to grow both academically and personally every step of the way.
One person who made a lasting impact on Mya’s journey is Frau Lull, her German teacher, former English teacher, and student government advisor. Mya shared that Frau Lull is someone who truly cares about her students and consistently goes above and beyond—leaving a lasting impression through her dedication and support.
When reflecting on her high school experience, Mya chose the song “All Things Must Pass” by George Harrison, capturing both the growth and transition that come with her milestone moment.
We are so proud of Mya and excited to see all she accomplishes in the future. Congratulations, Mya! 🎓👏

05/27/2026

🌟 Harbortown Rotary Hermans Scholar Spotlight 🌟
Join us in celebrating Lucy Bell, a 2026 Hermans Scholar whose hard work, resilience, and determination have set her up for a bright future!
Lucy will be attending Augsburg University this fall to study Exercise Science, with the goal of becoming an athletic trainer. Her passion is deeply personal:
💬 “To be an athletic trainer… is my dream career because of how much they have inspired me. I have struggled in the past with injuries, and they helped me so much.”
A proud alum of St. James Elementary, Lucy made the most of her high school experience—balancing academics, athletics, and friendships while staying true to herself:
💬 “I played 4 sports, got good grades, and made long lasting friendships… I never let anyone change me, or make me feel bad about who I am.”
Her determination continues to guide her forward:
💬 “I know I will never be perfect, but as long as I try my best, I believe that it will all work out.”
Lucy also shared appreciation for a teacher who made a lasting impact:
💬 “Mr. Lewis… has taught me lessons that will forever guide me through my life.”
🎵 Soundtrack to her journey: “I Lived” – OneRepublic
We are proud to support Lucy and look forward to the positive impact she will make in the lives of others. 💙

05/21/2026

🌟 Harbortown Rotary Hermans Scholar Spotlight 🌟

Congratulations to Tommy Gillman of Duluth East High School, one of this year’s outstanding Hermans Scholars!

Tommy will be attending the University of Wisconsin–Madison this fall to study Mechanical Engineering, driven by a passion to innovate and solve problems that make a positive impact on the world.

A proud alum of Congdon Elementary, Tommy credits his success to a strong sense of accountability and the ability to make thoughtful, logical decisions—skills that will serve him well as he balances the challenges and opportunities of college life. He also reflects on the lasting encouragement of his 10th grade Algebra II teacher, whose belief in his potential helped shape his confidence and path toward a future in STEM.

🎵 Soundtrack to his journey? “Good Riddance” – Green Day
As Tommy looks ahead, his motivation is clear:
“I want to use the skills I learn to innovate and solve problems to better the world—and I know my ability to hold myself accountable will help me get there.”

We are proud to support students like Tommy who are ready to lead, create, and inspire. 💙

05/11/2026

🎓 Scholarship Celebration! 🎓

Last week, the Harbortown Rotary Club of Duluth was proud to award five $2,000 Hermans Scholarships to outstanding area students from Duluth East and Denfeld High Schools.

These students were selected through an application process and are all pursuing degrees at post‑secondary institutions. We are honored to support their next steps and invest in their bright futures.
✨ Fun fact: Since 1993, our club has awarded over $295,000 in scholarships to local students through this program!
Congratulations to our scholarship recipients—we can’t wait to see all that you accomplish. 💙💛

04/24/2026

Thank you Wade Christensen and Calli Maki, for joining us and speaking at our morning meeting this week!

04/14/2026

Our speaker at this Wednesday's meeting, 4/15/26, will be Dori Rapaport, from Justice North.

Justice North is a nonprofit organization that provides free civil legal services to low-income individuals in areas of law that impact their safety, security, and stability. In our justice system, people only have a right to a lawyer in criminal matters, not civil ones. The work done at Justice North ensures all individuals have equal access to justice, not just those who have the means to pay for justice. Justice North keeps families housed, domestic violence victims protected, vulnerable seniors safe, and more.

Since she became Executive Director in 2017, Dori Rapaport has led Justice North, formerly known as Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota, through a myriad of innovations and expansions to increase the organization’s capacity to help more individuals. Dori speaks on statewide and national panels regularly on topics such as rural access to justice, technological innovations to increase access to legal services, and collaborations with legal aid and the courts. In Dori’s spare time she and her partner spend time driving their five teenagers all over Duluth (no licensed drivers yet!), and love to walk their golden retriever while birdwatching in Observation Hill.

04/01/2026

📚💙 700+ Reasons We’re Smiling Today 💙📚

One of our favorite traditions is officially complete! Through our Harbortown project, we delivered over 700 dictionaries to Duluth Public Schools 3rd graders—and our hearts are FULL.

For many years, this annual tradition has been all about supporting students as they build confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning that will serve them far beyond the classroom. A dictionary isn’t just a book—it’s a tool for discovering new words, new ideas, and new possibilities.

The handwritten thank‑you notes from students at Lester Park Elementary (swipe to see a few 💌) remind us exactly why we do this. Their words, drawings, and excitement are the best reward we could ask for. Here’s to strong readers, big dreams, and a tradition we’re proud to continue every year. 📖✨

03/10/2026

We are delighted to welcome Jeannette Hollingsworth, Executive Director of the Duluth YMCA, as the newest member of Harbortown Rotary! Jeannette brings a wealth of leadership experience, community spirit, and a passion for service that aligns beautifully with Rotary’s mission.

She is pictured here with her sponsor, Judy Seliga-Punkyo, who we thank for introducing such a dedicated and inspiring community leader to our club.

Please join us in giving Jeannette a warm Harbortown Rotary welcome — we are thrilled to have her with us and look forward to the great impact she’ll make alongside our members! 💙🤝🌎

03/02/2026

At the morning meeting on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, we will hear from PJ's Rescue.

PJ's Rescue started off as a far fetched idea between a group of 5 dedicated women. They wanted to provide a safe haven for bully breed dogs that were climbing the charts as the dogs most likely to be euthanized once in a shelter or adoption facility. With half of the original 5 living in Texas and the other half living in Minnesota, the group bonded together and made their dreams a reality in 2018.

With limited help and increased medical and transportation costs for animals in need of extra care, their rescue efforts remained small, but impactful. The team built relationships within the community both in Minnesota and Texas and PJ's Rescue became a registered 501c3 non-profit rescue.

As the team grew their connections within their communities, the team rescued dogs of all shapes and sizes, provided training, and rehomed the animals in homes around the Northland.

The founders based in Texas saw such a need for additional help, they created their own rescue based in Texas and have continued to provide aid to those animals who need it most.

The next big change for PJ's Rescue came when Tina, one of the original founders, gave up her full-time job as a dog groomer to take on the rescue's director role and Tracie, another one of the original founders, is now the rescue's treasurer on top of keeping her full-time job. Tina and Tracie have since brought on a group of dedicated board members and volunteers to continue the journey of saving as many animals as they can. These volunteers come from all backgrounds and walks of life, but they all have one thing in common - their love for animals.

The rescue has grown to 29 regular volunteers (and many more willing to lend aid in emergency cases) which has resulted in more than 700+ dogs and cats being fostered and adopted into their fur-ever homes. The rescue which once solely focused on bully breed dogs has opened its doors to dogs of all breeds with the addition of some cats along the way.

With the rescue growing, the volunteers soon began reaching out to local businesses, friends, and family members to help provide support. "We can't do it alone" quotes Tina as she recounts the many nights she's spent with volunteers completing intake processes, giving baths, grooming, and providing comfort to the new rescues. "The volunteers are just one piece to this puzzle, without donors our rescue efforts couldn't exist at the volume that they do" quotes Tracie.

As of 2025, the rescue has moved to focus on providing community resources by hosting monthly food donation nights and various discounted bathing opportunities for pups in need.

02/25/2026

🎓 Good news, students!
The Harbortown Hermans Scholarship deadline has been extended to March 14!

The Robert Hermans Harbortown Rotary Scholarship awards $2,000 each year to area students. Scholarships are based on character, community involvement, leadership, and academic ability — financial need is not required.

To apply, you’ll need:
• The completed application form
• Two references
• Your transcript through the first semester of senior year (including standardized test scores)
This is an amazing opportunity for students who live out Rotary values through service and leadership.

Visit the Harbortown Rotary website to access the application and learn more. Don’t miss your chance — apply today! 🎉

Harbortown Rotary Club of Duluth.