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2. The 2025 Arthur and Eileen Whitaker Memorial Trade Scholarships are a one-time award of $2,000, coordinated by Hazleton Rotary. There will be two recipients for the first time in 2026.

The Arthur and Eileen Whitaker Memorial Trade Scholarships were established in 2023 to further area students’ formal training and education in a bona fide trade school or similar training/educational program, including but not limited to, plumbing, welding, electrical, HVAC, masonry, truck and automotive maintenance, automotive repair, CDL licensure, beauty school, barber school, massage therapy, and licensed practical nurse programs, but excluding education and training for which a baccalaureate or higher degree may be awarded.

Applicants must reside within the boundaries of the Hazleton Area School District and must be under the age of 30 years old. Dependents of Hazleton Rotary members are not eligible.

The applications with further details can be downloaded on the column on the right of this page.

Board Meeting-February 18, 2026

Posted by Pat Ward

Change of Meeting Location

Posted by Pat Ward

CASA for Children-February 11, 2026

Posted by Pat Ward

Ryan Schofield, Executive Director of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Wyoming Valley was our speaker.

Essay Contest Open

The Hazleton Rotary Club and Rotary District 7410 are again sponsoring an essay contest with a cash prize for students in who are juniors or seniors in high schools in the Hazleton Rotary area.

Essays are submitted individually by the student via email to Kim McNulty, Hazleton Rotary Essay Contest Chair, at kmcnulty@mmiprep.org no later than Friday, February 27, 2026.

Essays are reviewed locally by a Committee and a local winner is selected. The local essay winner will receive a prize of $100 and will be invited to a Hazleton Rotary Club meeting in the spring to read his/her winning essay to the Club’s members.

The local winner’s essay will be submitted to Rotary District 7410 to compete at the District level against local winners from all over Northeastern Pennsylvania.

District readers will evaluate all local winner essays and the top three in the District will be awarded prizes of $1,000 (first place), $500 (second place), and $250 (third place).

Time for RYLA!

Posted by Pat Ward

The Rotary Youth Leadership Award Conference (RYLA) is now accepting applications through the Rotary Club of Hazleton.

RYLA is held at Keystone College in Northeastern PA. It is a 5-day, 4-night leadership program for high school sophomores who have shown leadership potential in their home, school, and community. The conference is designed to introduce participants to thoughts and ideas which will strengthen and develop their leadership skills. It also provides an environment where participants may discuss and exchange their ideas with other students from NEPA..

Leadership Northeast-February 4, 2026

Posted by Pat Ward

Jessica Cronauer, CEO of Leadership Northeast was our speaker. The mission of Leadership Northeast is to develop informed and committed leaders from all segments of the community who will serve, strengthen and improve Northeastern Pennsylvania. Hundreds of people connect with LNE every year through our six Leadership programs, community impact project initiatives and active alumni network. There are multiple entry points into the organization offering varying degrees of opportunity to explore your potential, widen your sphere of influence, engage in authentic relationships with other leaders, and ultimately impact the quality of life in our region.

Rotary Holiday Party-January 31, 2026

Posted by Pat Ward

New Member Induction -January 21 2026

Posted by Pat Ward

Nadine Bott, Bree Polascik, Jessica Spare and Amy Roslevege were formally inducted as the newest Hazleton Rotarians by District Governor Tim Genetti at a special program Thursday night. Dominic Medina-Rosario was also inducted as a new member, but was not available for photo.

Kidz Coatz Keeps Children Warm

Posted by Pat Ward

Hazleton Rotarians Nadine Bott, Michele Kushmeder, Nina Bonus, Anne Frey, Donna Dougherty, Joan Buffington, Michelle Genetti and Altagracia Arias, HIP Volunteer sort and pack coats delivered to local schools.

Pat and Kathy Ward also assisted.

Sponsors Welcome and Needed

Posted by Pat Ward

Our Annual Wine & Beer Festival is Hazleton Rotary’s largest fundraising event and you or your business can be part of it by becoming a sponsor! Here is the complete information including club contacts. The form can also be downloaded at the right of this page. Please consider becoming a sponsor!

Hazleton Rotarians Assist Junior Achievement

Two Hazleton Rotarians Assist with Junior Achievement Program

At the Hazleton Middle School, aka “The Castle”, two Hazleton Rotarians, Anne Frey and Jessica Spare, gave their volunteer time to teach breakout sessions with 7th and 8th grade students as part of the Y.E.S. (Your Economic Success) Program sponsored by Junior Achievement. This program would not be possible without community volunteers, such as Jessica and Anne. 30 volunteers were needed in order to make the program happen in Hazleton.

Club Survey and Future Action- January 7, 2026

Posted by Pat Ward

Guest speaker for January 7th was our own President Elect Paul Oswald. Topic was "From Club Meetings....To Club Meaning. Paul shared results of our recent membership survey and a club discussion based on the findings.

Coming Up in January ‘26

Posted by Pat Ward

Salvation Army Bell Ringing 2025

Hazleton Rotary continues the fine tradition of bell ringing for the Greater Hazleton Salvation Army, a tradition begun in 1956.

Rotary Bell Ringing Family Affair

Past President Jerry Panisak introduced first-time Rotary bell ringer, his granddaughter, Sophie!

A Christmas Blessing from our own Pat Korb

This nostalgic Christmas memory appeared in Sunday’s Hazleton Standard-Speaker as written by our Rotarian Pat Korb.

Fond memories of a “sweet” Christmas blessing By Pat Korb:

When I think of Christmas and tradition, I fondly think of Grandma Mary Trubisky and her honey jar. When I was a youngster, we spent every Christmas Eve at my grandparents’ Ohio home. As soon as you walked in, Grandma brought her honey jar and gave you a Christmas blessing by “painting” the sign of the cross on your forehead with the honey.

Mary Pat Stroia 1960-2025

On behalf of President Joan and Immediate Past President Alan Whitaker, our club is mourning the loss of Mary Pat Stroia.

Mary Pat was an active member who was elected to serve as our president, but relinquished that role because of her health concerns.

Mary Pat’s daughters Alexandra and Claudia are also members of our club.

Our deepest sympathies and prayers are with Mary Pat’s family at this tragic time.

Click the link below to view the obituary for Mary Pat Stroia

https://www.stutzfuneralhome.com/obituaries/mary-stroia

Tax Law Changes-December 10, 2025

Posted by Pat Ward

On a Zoom meeting, our very own Michael Gaizick, CPA was joined by his colleague John Nonemacher to discuss tax law changes under the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.”

Rotary Childrens Christmas Party

Posted by Pat Ward

Dozens of area children and their families were treated to the annual Hazleton Rotary Christmas Party, which followed the shopping project to provide gifts to the needy! Thanks to chair Kathie Oh and all Rotarians who participated!