Dear District Governor Jerry Summerhays,
My
name is Jessica Rice, age seventeen from South Jordan, Utah, and I am an
outbound for the years 2012-2013. I am going to Campo Grande, Brazil, Rotary
District 4470. I am very excited for this opportunity I have been given to
expand my horizons and learn new things about myself and about the world! I
cannot wait to learn Portuguese, experience the Brazilian culture, and meet new
people from throughout the globe! I know it will be very challenging in every
way to be alone, thousands of miles away from my family and all that is
familiar to me for an entire year. However, I also know that I will come away
from my exchange with unique experiences that not many people my age will ever
have. I have come to know that pain and difficulty build a person’s
self-confidence and capacity to do good in the world. It is my goal to make a
difference throughout my life. I know that I can make a difference in not only
my community, but throughout the world. The Rotary exchange program is the
perfect opportunity for me to accomplish the lofty goals I have for myself to
make an influence on the world for good. I’m proud to become a part of such a
great organization of service.
My
interests mainly include activities which involve learning. My favorite things
to learn about are history, politics, language, culture, writing, and music. My
greatest passion is music. I have played the piano for ten years and I take
pride and fulfillment in being able to teach five piano students. I also play
the oboe and love playing in my high school Wind Symphony and the Utah Youth
Philharmonic. I enjoy performing and have been honored to play as a piano and
oboe soloist in prestigious venues in Utah such as Libby Gardner Hall. I am
also very involved in school. I have never received a grade lower than an A+
because I work very hard and expect my best effort in everything I do. I attend
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints each week and am involved in
leadership callings. I currently serve as my class president and love getting
my class members involved in church activities. I am an advocate of service and
try to serve everyone I come in contact with. I especially love to serve kids
with special needs. Some of my best friends have disabilities. I love being around them to learn from their
strength and their unconditional love for people. I do have an extremely busy
schedule, but in my spare time I like to read, exercise, cook, or hang out with
my friends.
Sincerely,
Jessica Rice
