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Ahmed Adu-Bediako, a first-grade student in Elizabeth Bushong’s class at Westerville’s Mark Twain Elementary School, has picked the theme for the Rotary Club of Westerville’s 2025 Independence Day Parade: “Stars, Stripes, & Freedom Unite.”

Ahmed’s theme idea was chosen as the winning entry in this year’s annual contest among Westerville elementary students to choose the theme for Westerville’s Independence Day Parade, with is staged by the Rotary Club.

With the winning submission, Ahmed will receive $100 and is invited to ride in a place of honor on the Rotary’s float with a friend or family member during the big State Street parade July 4th.

Representatives from the Rotary Club celebrated Ahmed on Friday, April 25, with a pizza party for his class at Mark Twain. Ahmed with his family also will be honored guests at the club’s weekly luncheon May 22 at the Medallion Club.

Katie Ensell’s third-grade class at Hawthorne Elementary also enjoyed a pizza party with Rotary representatives on April 25. Ensell’s class won the drawing among classes districtwide, in which 100 percent of students submitted an entry in the 2025 Parade Theme Contest.

Westerville’s July 4th celebration, staged since 1962 by the Rotary Club of Westerville, is a day-long event.

It begins with a 5K Walk/Run and Kids Run at 7:30 a.m., continues with the State Street parade running from County Line Road south to Electric Avenue beginning at 10:30 a.m., then the Free Concert and Food Truck Festival from 5 to 9:45 p.m. at the Westerville Sports Complex, and culminating with the Westerville Fireworks Display at 10 p.m.

Special thanks to the Westerville City School District for its continuing support of the Rotary Parade Theme Contest, and to district Community Engagement Coordinator Charlie Boss for this story and photo.

CAPTION (ABOVE PHOTO, from left): Rotary Club of Westerville President Nominee John Powell, Ahmed Adu-Bediako – winner of the Parade Theme Contest to choose the theme for the 2025 Westerville Independence Day Parade – and Rotary President-Elect Dave Read. Ahmed’s class received a pizza party from the club April 25, and he with his family will ride in a place of honor in the 2025 Independence Day Parade, aboard the Rotary Club of Westerville float.

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Contact Us

Rotary Club of Westerville
P.O. Box 595
Westerville, OH  43086-0595

Where We Meet:
The Medallion Club
5000 Club Drive
Westerville, Ohio 43082

When:
Thursdays at noon (with Occasional off-site, evening socials)

 

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Rotary Club of Westerville

Rotary Club of Westerville

Founded in 1959, the Rotary Club of Westerville is a service club of business professionals and community leaders working to improve our community and larger world. Part of Rotary International. Find out more at WestervilleRotary.com @rotary6690

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This morning our club completed one of our favorite service projects...building beds at Bed Brigade. In just over an hour, we built 28 beds, which means 28 kids will have a safe place to sleep!
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We had the honor of welcoming home club member Dale Shipley and all the veterans of Honor Flight Columbus, Inc. Mission 145. Their joy was unforgettable and reminded us of the sacrifices made for our freedoms. Thank you to Rotary District 6690 for giving Rotarians the opportunity to take part in this special Honor Flight! ... See MoreSee Less

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