Published 2:00 pm Sunday, August 17, 2025
By Elizabeth Pinkston
The Carthage Rotary Club has a new leader at the helm this year, Leah Newman, and she’s bringing a focus on literacy, scholarships, and community engagement.
After joining the club three years ago, Newman, president, said her involvement grew naturally. “I started going with my husband, and after a couple of meetings, it just felt right to be part of it,” she said. “Rotary’s about service above self, and that really resonated with me.”
She has been active in projects from distributing dictionaries to third graders to organizing the annual “Pennies for Polio” fundraiser. The event not only raises money for polio eradication efforts but also offers local students a hands-on lesson in history and public health, complete with an authentic iron lung on display.
The Rotary’s scholarship program is also expanding under her leadership. Traditionally, all four scholarships have gone to Carthage High School seniors, but this year, two will be reserved for nontraditional students — adults returning to school who often face challenges such as child care costs, transportation, and program fees. “For some, something like a $400 cosmetology kit can make the difference between staying in school or dropping out,” Newman said. “We’ve learned those small barriers can be life-changing for someone.”
To fund these scholarships, the club relies heavily on its USA Flag Program, which places flags throughout Carthage on patriotic holidays. “That’s what pays for our scholarships,” Newman said. “Every flag you see out there is helping someone go to school.” Individuals and businesses can sponsor flags for display on the courthouse square or at other key locations, with all proceeds going directly to scholarships. The club also offers special flag displays to honor deceased veterans.
Newman credits her smooth transition into the presidency to past club leaders and Rotary’s district training program, Lone Star PETS, held annually in Dallas. “It’s a wealth of knowledge — there’s so much to learn — but it’s great preparation,” she said.
“Our projects not only help our neighbors here in Carthage but also connect us to a bigger mission worldwide,” Newman said. “We have dreams to grow our scholarships and help even more people. That’s what keeps us going.”
