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Ludlow Rotary Supports Chester Teen Center The Ludlow Rotary Club recently presented a check to Andrew Moore, Creative Arts Director for BRACC (Black River Action Community Coalition), in support of the new Chester Teen Center. The center is spearheaded by Lauren Ingersoll and is located at Green Mountain Church, 469 Main Street in Chester. The Chester Teen Center provides a safe, welcoming space for youth ages 13 and up, offering a balance of fun and enrichment. The center is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 3:00–5:30 pm, and features homework tutoring, creative workshops, and opportunities for teens to socialize and build friendships. Operating year-round, the Teen Center also offers seasonal activities, including mountain biking in the summer and skiing in the winter, helping teens stay active and engaged throughout the year. For more information about the Chester Teen Center, visit braccvt.org.
A Glimpse into Austria Through Ludlow Rotary Youth Exchange Student The Ludlow Rotary Club also recently welcomed guest speaker and exchange student Mia, who shared an engaging and informative slideshow about her home country of Austria. Located in the heart of Europe, Austria borders seven countries and serves as a crossroads of cultures, languages, and history. Austria is made up of nine federal states, and residents can often identify where someone is from simply by their regional accent. Its capital city, Vienna, is known for its efficient public transportation system, rich musical heritage, and high quality of life, frequently earning recognition as one of the world's most livable cities. Austrian teens often rely on public transit or motorcycles, as a license is required to drive a car but not a motorcycle—an interesting contrast to life in the United States. Mia also shared a unique holiday tradition: Krampus parades, where participants dress as the horned folkloric figure known as Krampus, often described as an "evil" counterpart to Santa Claus. These lively and slightly spooky parades are a popular Christmas-time tradition and draw large crowds each year. Austria's education system differs significantly from that of the U.S. Students typically attend schools of about 800 students and follow academic tracks aligned with their interests for up to eight years. Rather than moving between classrooms, students remain in one room while teachers rotate throughout the day. Another surprise for many was that it is common for entire families to attend prom celebrations together. While German is Austria's primary language, English instruction is required in schools. Austria has a deep and complex history, having played major roles in World War I and World War II. Annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938, Austria was home to several concentration camps, including Mauthausen, a sobering reminder of the Holocaust. Today, Austria is also known for its excellence in winter sports, particularly Olympic alpine skiing, as well as its strong presence in Formula One racing. Mia's presentation highlighted the value of cultural understanding made possible through Rotary International's Youth Exchange Program, which fosters global awareness, leadership, and lifelong connections. Rotary International's Youth Exchange Program allows students ages 15–19 to learn a new language, experience another culture, and become true global citizens. Exchanges are sponsored by Rotary clubs in more than 100 countries. For more information about the Youth Exchange Program or the Ludlow Rotary Club, please contact any Rotarian or write to Ludlow Rotary, PO Box 216, Ludlow, VT. Rotarian Brigid Sullivan presenting Andrew Moore donation to BRACC's Chester Teen Center. (Photo courtesy of Kim Lampert)
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