Every year the Picayune Rotary Club sponsors a Fishing Rodeo for students in the Exceptional Education Department of the Picayune School District. At this year’s event, which took place last Tuesday, about 50 students along with parents, teachers and bus drivers came for a fun-filled day of fishing and eating.

Director of the Picayune Exceptional Education Program, Kristy Ladner, explained that these students, some of whom are battered, wouldn’t normally get an opportunity like this. She knows that they really look forward to it every year.

While fishing, attendees enjoyed grilled hot dogs and hamburgers, all provided by the Rotarians. Everyone received a chance to win the special door prize, fishing tackle, provided by Coke, who also provided drinks for the day.

The Rodeo took place on Berlon Lee’s 70 acre pond on Road 268 in Picayune, which is stocked with blue gill, shellcracker brim and large mouth bass. Lee exclaimed how excited he was to be able to host the Rodeo for the children on his property.

Just for participating, all the students were given medallions at the end of the event. The keepsakes, awarded by Rotary Club members, serve as reminders of the special day and the good time that was enjoyed by all.

The Picayune Rotary Club is a community minded organization. Members meet weekly, at 12 noon, on Tuesdays. The diverse group of professionals work to address various community and international service needs. They provide college scholarships and their Christmas Basket Program has helped many truly needy families through the years.

Rotary’s next big annual event is the Draw Down on May 10. Proceeds for this event will go towards funding the college scholarships.