The Fayetteville Rotary Club recently recognized Cumberland County Schools Social Work Coordinator Pamela Story as a Paul Harris Fellow. Being recognized as a Fellow is one of Rotary International's highest honors. Story has been awarded for nearly two decades of service, helping local students access leadership development opportunities.

Story received the award during a presentation on May 8 in recognition of her longstanding partnership with the Fayetteville Rotary Club and her role in connecting students to the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program, commonly known as RYLA.

According to Fayetteville Rotarian Dave Baggett, Story has played an important role in helping the club identify and support students who would benefit from leadership training through the program.

"Through her dedication, Pamela Story has helped connect us with high school SGA advisors," Baggett said during the presentation. "Because of her efforts, we have been able to support deserving students for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, helping shape future leaders across our community."

For nearly 20 years, Story has collaborated with the Fayetteville Rotary Club to identify Cumberland County students for participation in RYLA, a leadership conference sponsored by Rotary clubs throughout the district. The program is designed to help high school students develop leadership skills while building relationships with peers from across the region.

The Paul Harris Fellow recognition is awarded by The Rotary Foundation and is named after Rotary founder Paul Harris. The honor is given to individuals whose lives and service reflect the mission and values of Rotary. The recognition also serves as The Rotary Foundation's expression of appreciation for significant contributions to its humanitarian and educational initiatives.

Baggett said Story's impact extends far beyond the students selected for the program. "Pam Story's impact is woven into the lives of students, counselors, educators, and families throughout Cumberland County," Baggett said. "Her service reminds us that true leadership is often quiet, humble, and profoundly transformative and her work has changed lives, strengthened our schools, and uplifted our entire community."

For more than 40 years, the Fayetteville Rotary Club has sponsored hundreds of Cumberland County high school students to attend the Rotary International District 7730 RYLA Conference. The program remains one of the club's most visible investments in future community leaders.

The Fayetteville Rotary Club is part of a larger international organization that traces its roots to 1905. Rotary was founded by Chicago attorney Paul Harris, who sought to bring together professionals from different backgrounds to exchange ideas and build lasting friendships. Over time, the organization expanded its focus to include community service and humanitarian work around the world.

 Today, Rotary International includes approximately 1.4 million members worldwide who work to address challenges ranging from education and economic development to public health. One of the organization's most recognized achievements is its ongoing effort to eradicate polio. Rotary launched its first major immunization initiative in 1979 and has helped reduce the disease from being present in 125 countries in 1988 to only a handful of locations today.

Locally, the Fayetteville Rotary Club continues to focus on leadership development, community service, and civic engagement. Membership is open to individuals who want to make a positive impact in their community while connecting with other professionals and community leaders. Members participate in regular meetings, service projects, leadership opportunities, and fundraising efforts that support local and international causes.

Rotary leaders say the future of the organization remains centered on service, leadership, and community partnerships. Through programs such as RYLA and continued outreach efforts, the Fayetteville Rotary Club plans to invest in the next generation of leaders while expanding opportunities for residents to become involved in service initiatives.

As Rotary approaches more than 121 years of service worldwide, organizations such as the Fayetteville Rotary Club continue to carry forward the vision established by Harris more than a century ago: bringing people together to create lasting change in their communities and around the world.

(Photo: Rotarians Alfie Burnham, left, David Baggett, Pamela Story, Rotarians Magda Baggett and Joel Valley celebrate after Story was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. Photo courtesy of the Fayetteville Rotary Club)