The Union County School Board kicked off its September 9 meeting with a recognition for the Lake Butler Rotary Club, thanking the group for supporting students and school programs.
Superintendent Mike Ripplinger called the organization a “great partner” to the Union County School District, particularly at the high school level.
He said that over recent years, the club has sponsored monetary awards for valedictorians and salutatorians, provided dictionaries to third graders, and supported various athletic teams through sponsorships.
“Watching the kids open up the dictionaries and look up words is always a big thing,” he noted, “all good words.”
Union County Sheriff and Rotary member Brad Whitehead added that the club contributed $250 to the Lake Butler Middle School’s swim team. The funds enabled the purchase of swimsuits and swim caps for the team, which includes three athletes this year.
Whitehead, whose daughter is on the team, coaches the squad.
Ripplinger, who is himself a Rotary Club member, presented Rotarians Whitehead, Alexandra Pritchett, and Margo Van Peterson with a plaque to signify the district’s appreciation, acknowledging that such community support is vital for student programs.
“If it wasn’t for businesses and organizations like the Lake Butler Rotary Club, our student organizations and our students would not have a lot of the things they do,” he said. “Your undying support of the students, faculty, and staff of the Union County School System, your support makes it possible for our kids to have a lot of these things.”
