Dancing their way to Literacy in the Shawnee Communities

Since 2011, the Rotary Club of Shawnee, Oklahoma has been a proud partner of the The Dictionary Project, donating more than 6,600 dictionaries to local students and supporting literacy throughout their community.

Continuing this meaningful tradition, Kat Franklin and Mark Riley recently visited Horace Mann Elementary School in Shawnee to deliver dictionaries to third-grade students. Their visit was met with excitement and gratitude, as each student received their very own dictionary—an essential resource to support learning, build vocabulary, and inspire curiosity.

The club’s ability to continue supporting impactful programs like The Dictionary Project is made possible through creative fundraising efforts such as their 2nd Annual Dancing with Shawnee. Hosted by the Rotary Club, this lively event took place at the Grand Casino Ballroom, bringing the community together for an evening of entertainment, friendly competition, and purpose. Six dynamic teams took to the dance floor competing for bragging rights and the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy—all while raising funds to support local service initiatives.

Through their continued dedication, innovative fundraising, and passion for service, the Rotary Club of Shawnee is helping empower young learners and invest in the future of their community.