Samantha "Sam" Walley and Anniela "Anni" Carracedo are champions of Rotary Youth Programs in District 6840 and around the world! In addition to being host mom and daughter, they are an integral part of the District 6840 Youth Services Committee, which supports Interact, Rotary Youth Exchange, and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. Currently, Sam serves as the Deputy Governor for Youth Services and Anni as chair for the inaugural student-led District Interact Committee.
Sam joined Rotary after her son became a Rotary Youth Exchange student. She has hosted multiple exchange students and been involved in Rotary youth program leadership at the Club, District, and International levels. Sam has previously served as president of the Rotary Club of Bay St. Louis and will lead our district as Governor in 2024-25.
Anni accepted the challenge of serving a year as a Rotary Goodwill Ambassador (a.k.a.Rotary Youth Exchange student) after becoming involved in the Interact Club of Valencia in her home country of Venezuela. Her exchange to Bay St. Louis, MS was curtailed when the Covid pandemic shut down schools and communities. Due to sociopolitical factors in Venezuela, Anni has been allowed to extend her visa and remain in the United States. Now a member of the Rotary Club of Bay St. Louis, Anni is preparing to attend college and pursue her passion of international peacebuilding.
Together, Sam and Anni lead efforts to strengthen youth programs locally and internationally.