St. Clairsville, Ohio — Second graders at St. Clairsville Elementary got a lesson in entrepreneurship and community values this week thanks to a special visit from members of the St. Clairsville Noon Rotary Club.
As part of the club’s literacy outreach program, Rotarians read Andy and Elmer’s Apple Dumpling Adventure to students in Rebecca Terlesky’s class. The story follows a young entrepreneur who learns important life lessons through running a small business, introducing students to the Rotary’s Four-Way Test — a guide that encourages honesty, fairness, goodwill, and benefit to others.
Judge Adam Myser of Belmont County Court’s Northern Division, who also serves as the event coordinator for the Noon Rotary, said the book was chosen because it ties together business concepts and moral decision-making. “It’s about a young child who starts a business making and selling apple dumplings,” Myser explained. “Through that process, the story shows how the Four-Way Test applies to his choices. It’s a great way for kids to see these values in action.”
Teacher Rebecca Terlesky said the visit gave her students a chance to connect classroom learning to real-world experiences. “It’s so valuable for them to see people from the community come in and share what they do,” she said. “We’re one big school, but there’s a larger community behind us that supports what we do every day.”
She added that the students were excited about the program, which also supports their financial literacy lessons. “They’re learning about the basics of business and building character at the same time,” Terlesky said. “It’s something new and engaging that brings their lessons to life.”
Myser said the Rotary Club hopes programs like this inspire students to think about their role in the community — whether as entrepreneurs, teachers, or public servants. “We want kids to understand what it means to contribute and be part of something bigger than themselves,” he said.
The St. Clairsville Noon Rotary Club includes members from a variety of professions who share a common goal of community service. Myser noted that the organization’s work extends from local projects like this one to international efforts, including Rotary’s long-standing mission to eradicate polio. “It’s about people coming together to make a difference — locally and globally,” he said.
