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.
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
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
Rotary Pollinator garden update from McVay Elementary School. Bees are hard at work! Look at this one go!! Rotary District 6690 Westerville Schools #pollinatorpathway #bees #spring #flowers #work
Today's meeting was filled with gratitude, laughter, and well-deserved recognition! Charlie Boss, Westerville Schools Coordinator of Communications & Community Engagement, was honored as our Community Partner of the Year. We thanked outgoing board members Brad Dodrill and Eric Gibson for their three years of service, and recognized Eric as our Special Projects Superstar. The highlight of the day? Presenting the Bill Tompos Rotarian of the Year Award to Dave Read, whose passion and leadership have left a powerful mark on our club. We also presented the Rising Star Award to a Westerville South senior and heard from current and past scholarship recipients. Dave Read wrapped up the meeting with an update on I-CAN and the difference it's making for students. A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who helped make this celebration so special! @followers Rotary District 6690