The meeting of April 25 was conducted by the Rock Island High School Key Club.  Entertainment was again provided by Jonathan Turner, together with his "Fight On Rock Island" singers.  As the various Key Club officers handled their portion of the meeting agenda, they introduced themselves.

      There was a number of Club announcements.  Bob VanDeVoorde announced that $47 had been contributed to the food pantry.

      From his seat in the audience, Club President, Craig Knobloch either presented or called upon a number of individuals to cover projects in which they are engaged.  Dave Umphrey announced that he is accepting bids for a basketball autographed by members of the Rock Island High School state champion basketball team, with the proceeds going to the Epilepsy Foundation.  Gene Smith somehow managed to show up without his Birdies for Charity pamphlets but promised to bring them to the next meeting.  Craig again made his solicitation for anyone wishing to be considered as a Club officer or director.  Craig reminded us that the next Annual Pancake Day will be held May 30 in conjunction with the Criterium in downtown Rock Island on Memorial Day.  There will be more to come.

      John Califf thanked those who attended the last Interclub with him in Annawan and announced that the next Interclub will be held May 19 at noon in Aledo. 

      Tom Plechaty reminded us that with Rose Day coming up April 27, those who volunteered to assist should remember their times and locations.

      In Fun and Fellowship, Marty Katz won the preliminary prize, which he graciously donated back to the Club.  The Kartel won the opportunity to go for the grand prize, but Dick Fislar managed to miss out.  Tom Smith won the super prize of a chocolate egg donated by that lovable old bunny himself, Jud Briggs.

The Feature Attraction

      The program was given by Anthony McConnell from Rock Island High School.  Mr. McConnell participates primarily in the English Language Learners Department at the High School.  Through a power point presentation, Mr. McConnell showed the span of countries from which Rock Island High School students originally immigrated, and most of them came to America through an intermediate stop after leaving their home country.  At Rock Island High School, there were 54 ELL students in January, 2010, although the census now is 112.  It is projected that next year, there will be an additional 20 - 25 students enrolling at Rock Island High School, with 23 advancing from junior high school.  Challenges are many and they apply both to the students and the teachers and administration.  These include language, environment, culture and expectations.  It's estimated that by the year 2030, fully 40 percent of all kindergarten - 12^th grade students in this country will have a non-English native language.

May 2              Michael Gullion, BSA Illowa Council

May 9              Alleman Key Club & WVIK's "Radio that Reads"

May 16            Carol Triebel, Pilot Club of Moline

May 23            John Califf, "My Travels in France, Part 2"

May 30            Pancake breakfast at QC Criterium