VanStine becomes one of youngest Bath Rotary Club Presidents in history

Tonight, something bigger than a title happened.

I was sworn in as the next President of the Bath New York Rotary Club —one of the youngest ever to take this role. But this isn’t about me. This is about what we stand for.

This is about who we serve.

Bath Rotary isn’t just a club. It’s a legacy. A family. A force.

A group of people who believe in something bigger than themselves.

And tonight, as I took that oath, I didn’t just feel proud.

I felt purpose ignite in my soul.

There’s a fire in me that doesn’t flicker.

It doesn’t dim when things get hard.

It burns—with a steady, quiet passion to do something that matters.

Not out of ego. Not out of recognition.

But because I know too many people who never got a chance.

Too many who gave up hope.

Too many who needed someone to show them that this world can still be good—

If we’re willing to build it that way.

 “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

I believe in those dreams. The hard ones. The big ones.

The kind that don’t let you sleep at night, because you know deep down you were made for more.

I wasn’t raised to sit on the sidelines.

I wasn’t raised to follow the crowd or coast through life.

I was raised to show up—when it’s hard, when it hurts, and when it matters most.

 “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” – William James

And I believe it does.

Because somewhere tonight, a kid in a small town is wondering if they matter.

Someone’s working three jobs and still struggling to keep the lights on.

An elder feels forgotten.

A veteran sits in silence.

A young leader is searching for a voice.

I want them to know—you are seen.

You are not invisible.

You are not alone.

We were not put on this earth to chase comfort or applause.

We were put here to lift each other up.

To love harder. To lead louder.

To build something that echoes beyond our time.

This is more than Rotary.

This is a promise—

To stand for integrity when it’s not popular.

To speak for those who can’t.

To lead with heart and never apologize for caring too much.

If we’re not making the world better, then what are we even doing?

To those of you out there who still believe in good people, good work, and good fight—

I’m right there with you.

We are just getting started.

Let’s lead with light. Let’s love without fear.

And let’s never settle for average.

Tonight, I step into this role not just as a leader—

But as a servant,

A dreamer,

And a believer in the power of purpose.

Here’s to the future—loud, bold, and filled with heart.