Southampton Rotary outbound exchange student to Thailand, MaryJane Klunder, has been soaking up Thai culture, learning the language, making new friends and experiencing life very differently with her Thai host families.In her spare time, MaryJane decided to enter a Rotary essay competition on international peace. The competition is a Rotary International initiative, spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Istanbul, to promote Peace Building and Conflict Prevention. The contest drew 470 entries from 41 different countries and every continent.
MaryJane placed first in the competition and will receive $3,000 US, sponsored by the Rotary Club of New York.She is being flown, courtesy of Rotary Club of Istanbul, from Bangkok to Istanbul, to receive her award on February 19th, 2025.
Although MaryJane is from Saugeen Bluffs, Southampton Rotary sponsored her exchange, as there were no applicants from Saugeen Shores, and she and her mother were guests at Southampton Rotary before she left.
Rotary International President Stephanie A. Urchick will be at the ceremony. Southampton Rotary, and all of Rotary District 6330, are very impressed with M.J.’s accomplishment, and are also very proud of her stellar ambassadorship as a Canadian Rotary Exchange student in Thailand.
