JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TURN TABLES ON ROTARY CLUB MEMBERS

It's one thing to say you live by a certain code. It's entirely
different to prove you do.

But several dozen members of the Rotary Club, Greeley chapter, did
just that Wednesday when a group of Jefferson High School students put
them to their own test at a Rotary luncheon.

The main premise of the Rotary Club is a standard called the four-way
test. Rotary members are supposed to apply four questions to all the
decisions they make in life: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all
concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? And is it
beneficial to all concerned?

When one of the questions is "Your wife is suffering from an incurable
illness, and you know that marijuana will ease her symptoms. What will
you do?" it's easy to answer, "Medical marijuana is legal in Colorado,
so I'd get her a prescription."

But what happens when it changes to include: "What if it wasn't
legal?"

"That is a very, very tough question," Rotary member and University of
Northern Colorado Hispanic studies professor Roberto Cordova said.
"But I have to admit, I would have to take another look at the law. If
your loved one is suffering and suffering, I'd get her whatever she
needed."

Cordova's response spurred a conversation about the side effects of
marijuana compared with the side effects of prescription
medications.

"I have to go with Roberto on this one," said Sarah MacQuiddy, another
member and president of the Greeley Chamber of Commerce. "My gut says
I would want them to have it."

The Rotary Club adopted an alternative high school as their partner
for the past several years, president-elect nominee Julie Buderus said.

Alternative high schools are high schools where the student population
is largely comprised of students who have severe behavior problems or
criminal issues or who are teen moms.

This year, the Rotary Club decided to take its four-way test to the
students and have them apply the questions to the decisions they've
made in their lives. When the students were done, they came up with
some of their own questions for the members and applied the test.

"What the students liked about this was there really is no right or
wrong answers," Jefferson teacher Patrick Molinari said. "They had the
opportunity to discuss how if circumstances change, the answers can
change. And the students realized that even once you reach a certain
age or success level, there are still tough decisions to make. I think
the Rotarians were surprised to see that there is good in these kids."

Buderus said it was a real eye-opener for the Rotary
members.

"Many of our members are established business people that have made a
good life for themselves," Buderus said. "But they are insulated.
Having the opportunity for alternative high school students to ask
them 'is your answer really beneficial to everyone?' is
enlightening."

Ryan Rogakis, a junior at the school, said it gave him another way to
look at different scenarios, and he has already applied it a couple of
times in his own life, he said.

"It helps me figure out if a decision is good or bad," Ryan said. "But
I think it helped show the adults we can be serious, too. Instead of
just being seen as high school students, I think they can see us as
adults now, too."

MacQuiddy said the experience took her breath away.

"When you realize the obstacles some of these kids face -- that as
adults would be challenging -- you realize these kids need all the love
and support we can give them," MacQuiddy said.