Hamburg business owner to represent county in Peru

HAMBURG — Jeremy Slate, owner of JR Slate Fitness and ShopJRslate.com based in Hamburg, has been selected to represent New Jersey with two other professionals for the Rotary Group Study Exchange in Peru.

The Rotary GSE program was started in 1965 to help young men and women expand their vocational and cultural knowledge as well as to share that of their home country. The Vernon Rotary has sponsored Slate to go on this cultural expedition.

Morris County Freeholder William "Hank" Lyon and representative of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Monica Kristen also was chosen to go on the exchange. After being selected by a panel of eight Rotary administrators representing districts from all over New Jersey, the three of them have undergone months of business and customs preparations.

The group of youths will spend a month in Peru, during which time they will interact with local Rotary groups. These interactions will involve the individuals learning what their vocation is like in Peru, as well as sharing their vocations at home and their life in American culture.

The group will represent New Jersey Rotary, club 7470, under the guidance of President, Larry Ripley. Traditionally, the exchange is made up of 3-5 non-rotary members and lead by two current members of Rotary. The 2015 exchange will be led by Grace Do of Montclair and Stacey Borden of South Orange.