Ambassadorial Scholar prepares for New Zealand

When we think about what it means to be a Rotarian, the words – Service Above Self come to mind. Hunter Davis is learning very early what those words mean.

Davis, 22, is the first candidate from the Ashland Rotary Club to be selected as a recipient of the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship. Scholarship winners receive an award of $27,000 to finance a year of study abroad.

Ashland Rotary Club board member Stuart Webb said, “It’s an honor when your candidate gets selected. It’s an honor for you club, an honor for your area and it’s an honor for the district when you send someone over.”

Hunter grew up in Russell and graduated from the University of Louisville. In January, he will be attending Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand. Hunter was advised against his first choice of Christchurch, New Zealand due to an earthquake striking the area earlier in the year.

Hunter is not a stranger to New Zealand. He travelled there as a child. Davis also served as an intern in the Scottish Parliament in the fall of 2009 and found it very interesting learning about their young political system. The parliament of Scotland was not established until the 1990s.

While in New Zealand, Hunter will be speaking to Rotary clubs in the area and will hopefully be trading flags with the overseas clubs.

Students are required to perform a service project while studying abroad. Davis has proposed creating a civic education program that would bring government leaders into Wellington’s high schools. Not all students get to see their programs come to fruition, but Hunter is not deterred. He hopes to either see his project started or to be able to help with other projects already under development in Wellington.

Hunter recently spoke at the Ashland Rotary Club about his acceptance of the scholarship and his plans for the future.

Ashland Rotary Club President Cheryl Spriggs says she thinks Davis will represent the club well. “We feel it’s quite an honor, and we’re just thrilled with Hunter.” Spriggs said.

President Cheryl Spriggs with Hunter Davis

Davis became interested in politics when he took an AP government class at Paul G. Blazer High School and plans to attend law school after he completes his year of study in New Zealand.