District 5495 Youth Services News

Youth Exchange students visit RI Headquarters, meet RI President
Rotary District 5495 hosted 14 Rotary Youth Exchange students this 2023-24 school year. These students had a plethora of events, service projects, friendships, Rotary meetings, a joint District Conference in Mexico and more all thanks to the generous clubs who opened their doors to experience a unique and exciting opportunity for their members.
 
Hosting a high school student from another country for one year can open the eyes for many: students and Rotarians alike! Our district hosted students from Japan, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Brazil, France, Argentina, Sweden, Chile, Ukraine, Spain and Ecuador.
 
Currently, eight of the 14 students are on an incredible 27-day US train tour. This tour starts with a Los Angeles and includes visits to San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Glacier National Park (complete with whitewater river rafting!), Chicago (Rotary Headquarters!), Niagara Falls, Boston (on the 4th of July no less!), New York City, then Washington DC and finally back to Phoenix where in a day or two they fly home to their countries.
 
The group's visit to Chicago included a visit to Rotary International Headquarters in Evanston where they were able to meet and visit with outgoing RI President Gordon McInally, and this year's new RI President Stephanie Urhick. While there, the RYE students had the rare opportunity to see the installation of the new RI President. It is a simple ceremony only attended by Gordon his wife, staff and Stephanie, aide Tom Gump and staff.
 
The group watched as Gordon escorted Stephanie to the President's Office That was supposed to be the end of the ceremony for the students -- but new RI President Stephanie invited the RYE students into her office where Gordon and Stephanie exchanged very personal thanks to each other. She then signed the new Rotary magazine -- her first edition.
 
This was at the students' expense, but the value makes it extremely worth it! Most Rotary Youth Exchange leaders would love to that have opportunity.
 
As for the remaining six students, they have reunited with their family and friends in their home countries right after their high school ended. 
 
A HUGE thanks to the clubs that hosted a student this year: Anthem, Parker, Sedona Village, Lake Havasu City, Mesa, Sun Lakes, Kyrene, Queen Creek, Mesa West, Scottsdale, Tempe South and PHX 100.
 
If your club would like more information about Rotary Youth Exchange, please contact Donna Goetzenberger, rye5495@gmail.com or Teresa Haire, 5495inbounds@gmail.com or Machel Considine 480-235-0814. 
 
Photos of the 1st week of the trip can be found at   https://share.icloud.com/photos/03euZN-UN60_lZUei_4BJp4gw
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Rotary Club of Sun Lakes names 2024 scholarship winners
 
Submitted by: Dr. Honora Norton, RCSL Public Image Director
 
The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes (RCSL) extends congratulations to the winners of the Rotary Club’s Annual 2024 High School Service Above Self and Vocational Scholarships to:
  • Daniel Johnson – Service Above Self Scholarship Award - Daniel is a Perry High School Graduate who will be attending Grand Canyon University majoring in Electrical Engineering and minoring in Theology.
  • Max Vogus – Vocational Scholarship Award - Max is a Hamilton High School Graduate attending the Conservatory of Recording Arts & Science in Tempe in the Fall to become an Audio Engineer.
  • Minjee Kim – Service Above Self Scholarship Award - Minjee is a Hamilton High School Graduate attending Emory University in Georgia in the Fall to study Neuroscience.
  • Michael Shin – Service Above Self Scholarship Award - Michael is a Hamilton High School Graduate who will be attending Washington University in St. Louis, MO to study BioChemistry.
According to the RCSL Scholarship Committee Chair/CUSD Executive Director Elementary Schools West Region Leo Schlueter, the $2,000 scholarship payments will be sent directly to the school/university the student will be attending this Fall. 
 
A panel of judges reviewed and scored applications from area high school seniors. Each application included a 300-word essay, which provided the student’s beliefs and understanding of what “service above self” means; teacher recommendations; and student academic standing data. Also, RCSL’s selections were based on each student’s exhibiting exemplary acts of service and character. 
 
To learn more about RCSL projects, programs and membership – see  www.sunlakesrotary.com
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Rotary Club of Scottsdale announces winners of annual scholarship
 

Submitted by Max E Rumbaugh Jr
Past President, Rotary Club of Scottsdale

At the Awards Luncheon of the Rotary Club of Scottsdale, the winners of their annual scholarship program were announced.  Club President Gretchen Kinder announced each recipient and Rotarian Craig Miller gave the honorees their certificates as winners.

Proud parents and school counselors were present to enjoy the recognition of their students and hear each recipient, who was present, speak briefly about his/her plans of study in the next year. This year's recipients are: 

* Jordan Gauthier of Desert Mountain High School was awarded the Rotary Club of Scottsdale Athletics Scholarship.

* Michael Gross of Saguaro High School received the First Responders - Colonel Park Shaw Scholarship.

* Shelbi Kukulski also a senior at Saguaro accepted the Peter G. Fish Vocational/Trade Programs Scholarship.

* Elise Madeoy at Saguaro accepted the Bob & Louise McCall Scholarship (for art).

* Vivian Saavedra of Chaparral High School earned the Peter G. Fish Science/Technology Scholarship.

* Alex Stephenson a senior at Saguaro received the Peter G. Fish Business Scholarship.

* Jake Weiss also of Saguaro was awarded the Bob Murray Performing Arts Scholarship.

* Sophia Roe of Saguaro accepted the Norval O. Tyler Scholarship (for all around excellence).

Scholarships ranged from $10,000 to $1,000.  Money for the scholarship was provided by past and present Rotary members and supporters. 

Applicants for the scholarships were selected by their SUSD school counselors.  Each applicant was interviewed by a group of Rotary members.  Each scholarship had its own group of Rotarians who selected the recipient of that scholarship. 

When asked how it was that so many of this year’s recipients came from Saguaro High School, Rotary Scholarship Chair Matthew Hill responded, “Each team of Rotarians were completely independent of the other teams.”   

When congratulated and asked about so many coming from Saguaro, Brandee Chan who is the school's Career and College Counselor declared, “This year’s class of seniors is especially outstanding.”

The Rotary Club of Scottsdale has provided youth support for excellence since its formation in 1954.  It is one of more than 46,000 Rotary Clubs around the world.  Each is dedicated to providing “Service Above Self” in their community and globally.

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Rotary Club of Sun Lakes names CUSD 'Teacher of the Year'
 
 
 
 
Submitted by: Dr. Honora Norton, RCSL Public Image Director
 
The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes 2024 Chandler Unified School District (CUSD) Teacher of the Year was presented to Todd Daniels, teacher at Casteel High School (Queen Creek). He was awarded $2,000. 
 
Jentry Yard, Casteel High School (Queen Creek) and Liana Clareson, CTA Goodman Elementary (Chandler), each received $500.  As part of the competition each teacher gave a 10-minute talk about his/her respective positions and responsibilities; leadership achievements, relationships with students, parents, and families; volunteer activities; and letters of recommendation.
 
Judges included RCSL members Debbie Bailey, Dr. Marie Bruening and Leo Schlueter.  RCSL Education Chair, Gary Kay, thanked Earnhardt Auto Centers for its support in funding RCSL's 2024 Teacher of the Year Awards.  Rustin G. Reynolds represented Earnhardt at the award presentations.
 
For more information about RCSL - see www.sunlakesrotary.com
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Rotary Club of Sun Lakes recognizes Teacher of the Month

Submitted by Dr. Honora Norton
Public Image Chair, Rotary Club of Sun Lakes

The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes congratulated and presented an award to the Chandler Unified School District April 2024 Teacher of the Month.   

According to RCSL Education Chair Gary Kay, the award selection is based on teacher’s total years of service in the field of education; examples of how the teacher goes above the normal requirements and enhances student education; the respect shown for the teacher by her/his peers, students, and parents; and the teacher’s involvement in extracurricular activities and service in the community. 

A $500 check is awarded to the honored teacher - $200 from the RCSL, $200 from Earnhardt Automotive Center and $100 from Trust Bank.  

Debra Georgvich, Special Education Department Chair at CUSD’s Santan Junior High School, was named RCSL’s April 2024 Teacher of the Month.  

For the past 12 years Debra has excelled in special education, 4th grade and administration. She earned a dual bachelor's degree from Northern Arizona University in elementary education and special education with an emphasis in learning disabilities;  a master's degree in educational leadership; and her principal certificate. 

Per Paige Green, her nominating teacher, Debra possesses a heart overflowing with compassion for her students.  She takes a genuine interest in each child’s well being; and  fosters trust, positive relationships and a nurturing environment where students feel safe to explore, learn and grow. Her dedication goes far beyond the classroom walls.  

For more information about Rotary Club of Sun Lakes – see www.sunlakesrotary.com

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