Rotarian named Harris Fellow

Ken Wickstrom, past president of the Fort Frances Rotary Club, was named a Paul Harris Fellow for his contributions to the Rotary Foundation in excess of $1,000 (U.S.)
The Rotary Foundation funds humanitarian relief projects around the world.
Wickstrom himself was part of a five-week group study exchange program, sponsored by Rotary, in the Philippines. It encouraged participants to learn about foreign culture and the role their profession plays in another country.
“After an experience like that that really changed my life, and gave me real perspective on international affairs, it means a great deal to be able to contribute back to the foundation,” said Wickstrom, now treasurer of the local club.
The club also sent two grade 11 students from Fort Frances High School to Winnipeg to take part in the Model of United Nations Assembly recently.
Charles Fisher and Amanda Galusha were selected by Rotary, and began meeting weekly in November to prepare for their speeches to the assembly.
The duo represented Zimbabwe and presented actual United Nations resolutions regarding a solution to that country’s civil war. The assembly adopted their resolutions and both were awarded certificates for participating.
Arguing for things they didn’t necessarily believe in proved difficult at times.
“It doesn’t matter what you think, you have to represent the country,” said Fisher. “You really learn to be a politician. You stand up there and you lie.
“[The experience] opens up your eyes to what’s going on in the world and realize how much we have here that we can take for granted,” he added. “In other countries you don’t have the privileges [Canadians] have.
“It’s really interesting learning all the information about how the United Nations works,” added Galusha.