Bom Dia! My name is Constance Bolte and I teach Biology and AP Environmental Science at James River High School. I am 28 years old, and happily married for 2 years.

I'm thrilled to be part of the GSE 7600 team and to have this amazing opportunity to visit Brazil. Many thanks to the Midlothian Rotary for sponsoring this trip and extending cultural growth to young professionals.

In the past 6 years I have packed my vacation time with trips abroad. Aside from visiting the Netherlands once or twice a year (my husband is Dutch :), I have explored Australia, Costa Rica, Germany, Belgium, and France. Brazil should be exciting... culturally, educationally, and scientifically! I love the language learning process and looking forward to speaking three languages by the end of May... Dutch, French, and Portuguese!

The planning stages are in full swing and the anticipation of April 30th (departure date) keeps growing. Of course, keeping a balance is tough right now. Lesson planning, paper grading, learning portuguese, and directing the school sustainability program, all occupy a significant amount of time. Taking each day in stride seems to do the trick... before I know it, I'll be in Brazil!

Bom dia! Good Morning! My name is Candace Banks and I am yet another team member of the GSE Brazil team from District 7600. I am thrilled about this awesome opportunity afforded to me by the Richmond Rotary Club. I am a lover of languages and cultures and this ties right in.

I am a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (commonly known as Virginia Tech- GO HOKIES!) and received my bachelor's degree in Spanish. During school breaks I worked for the Virginia Department of Taxation and have been with them ever since. For all those who grimace at the mention of TAX, my current position is a Tax Credit Analyst. In other words, I give away money. So let's turn that frown upside down.

Until next time, I applaud and appreciate Rotary for supplying this great adventure to explore another culture and hopefully bring back what I've learned to keep the tax dollars hard at work here in the Commonwealth. Até logo.

April Engram

Good morning everyone! My name is April and I'm also on the outbound team heading to Brazil next month. This is a hectic period trying to get everything all set up, busy busy busy! I am extremely grateful to the Richmond Rotary for sponsoring this opportunity.

A little about me: I currently work as a clinical research coordinator at Virginia Commonwealth University and I'm working on my Master's degree in clinical laboratory science with an emphasis in clinical chemistry.

I love to travel and am really looking forward to our time in Brazil. We have a great team and I'm sure we're going to have a blast. Stay tuned!

Hello to all,

My name is William Marsiglio (Billy) I am a member of the GSE-outbound team heading to Brazil in May. I am looking forward to the educational, vocational, and cultural experiences this adventure is going to provide me.

A little background: I am 30 years old live in Chester, Virginia. I am a Lieutenant with Chesterfield Fire & EMS, and have several degrees. I hold two associates from J. Sergeant Reynolds and a B.A.S. from The University of Richmond in HR and a minor in Leadership.

I want to thank the Rotary and all the supporting members for providing this opportunity to me and others. It is going to be a uniquely life changing experience that will make me a better person and leader almost immediately and definitely into the future.

Please keep checking back to the site for updates. We are looking forward to heading, as it is fast approaching.

Team Brazil 7600 for 2010 Established

We are very excited that the GSE Team for Rotary District 7600 to Brazil District 4600 has been established is moving forward to Departure on April 30, 2010.




I am Warren Rice, Team Leader from the Hanover Rotary Club. The team is made up with members William Marsiglio, III, Candace Banks, April Ingram and Constance Bolthe. Thanks to South Richmond, Midlothian, The Richmond Rotary Club and Hanover for sponsoring this team.


The team has attended three training meetings, and all members have attended weekly rotary club meetings to gain a greater understanding of Rotary, and the importance of the Rotary Foundation programs that sponsor this program. Thanks to Midlothian, Bon Air, Richmond and Innsbrook for the welcoming these members in to the Rotary family at those meetings. The entire team is planning on attending the Hanover Rotary Club on March 31, 2010. If you are interested in meeting the team come make up at Hanover that date.

We will be submitting posts regularly while in Brazil and hope to read your posts as well.


Thanks to District 7600 for their confidence in me to lead this team, and the selection of this outstanding group of young professionals to represent this district.

Warren Rice, Team Leader