Sadiq will be sharing his reflections – off the record – and we’re genuinely looking forward to hearing his story. His perspective, shaped by experience and lived moments, is something we value deeply. 

Visitors were taken to George Washington’s historic home in Virginia, where the Ladies of Mount Vernon have undertaken extensive restoration work ahead of the United States’ 250th anniversary. The mansion has been repainted in a historically accurate color, several outbuildings have been restored, and a state‑of‑the‑art visitor center and interactive museum have been added through significant investment. Guided tours of the grounds and mansion offer an impressive look at both the site’s history and the preservation efforts underway.

Jon Ward is a retired Foreign Service Officer and Army veteran.  He is a member of the Metro Bethesda Rotary Club and the Rotary Action Group for Peace.  Jon has also served as a Rotary Positive Peace Activator and has been a member of Veterans for Peace.  Jon was recognized by Wisconsin-based Plowshare Fair Trade Marketplace as its 2026 Peacebuilder award for his work with the World Affairs Seminar.

Each year, our club proudly recognizes the educators who shape, inspire, and strengthen our community. For so many years, Kent Mason has led our Teacher of the Year project with dedication and heart, and thanks to his leadership, this tradition continues to thrive.

This year again, we are delighted to honor outstanding teachers whose commitment to their students reflects the very best of our community’s values. Their work makes a lasting difference, and we are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate them.

Karen Willetts grew up in Frostburg and studied at the College of Wooster, spending a year in Dakar, Senegal. She later returned to Senegal as a  teacher, studied Wolof, and trained with Wycliffe Bible Translators. With a Fulbright grant, she earned a Master’s in African Languages in Côte d’Ivoire. After returning to the U.S., she married Dr. Pascal Kokora, former Ivorian Ambassador and Georgetown professor. Karen taught French in MCPS for 27 years, most recently in the IB program at Springbrook High School. In retirement, she and her husband support library and clinic projects in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

Alaha Ahrar is a Social Justice and Human Rights expert based in Virginia, USA. She holds a master’s degree in Social Justice and Human Rights from George Mason University, where she completed an outstanding final book focused on survivors of human trafficking and human smuggling.

Ms. Ahrar earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Mary Washington, graduating on time in four years with a triple major in Human Rights, Political Science, and International Affairs, as well as a certificate in Middle Eastern Studies.

She is a multilingual professional fluent in English, Persian (Dari and Farsi), Hindi, Pashto, and Urdu, with working proficiency in Arabic and Spanish. She also possesses advanced computer and research skills.

Ms. Ahrar has collaborated with numerous national and international organizations, leading and initiating impactful projects that have benefited communities in the United States, Afghanistan, Canada, and countries within the European Union.

She currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of International Kindness Sharing (IKS), a 501(c)(3) international nonprofit organization based in Virginia, and as a Gender Consultant working across the United States, Europe, and Asia. In addition, she has served on the Board of Directors of International World Poetry (Canada) and the Afghan … Read More »