District 5495 Youth Services News

Peoria North Rotary Club awards two scholarships
 
The Peoria North Rotary Club has awarded educational scholarships to two graduating Peoria Unified School District high school students.
 
Isabella Perry and Leah Bucher each received a $2,000 George and Willi Wheeler Scholarship during a recent club meeting. Ms. Perry attends Mountain Ridge High School and Ms. Bucher attends Peoria High School.
 
The George and Willi Wheeler Scholarship was created in 2023 and the two students are the first recipients. The scholarship is available to all students who currently attend a PUSD high school or Mountain Ridge High School.
 
The scholarship is named after two long-time club members: George and Willi Wheeler. George was a founding member of the Peoria North Rotary Club and a former Arizona Rotary District Governor. He passed away in 2022.
 
The object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise. The scholarship recognizes high school students who demonstrate strong leadership skills that include opportunities to serve humanity.
 
The Rotary scholarship may be used for any school-related payments such as tuition, books, software and/or equipment at any accredited college, university, vocational school, or certificate program.
 
The Wheelers were strong supporters of education and instrumental in organizing a variety of club projects aimed at promoting literacy. The club recognizes Students of the Month at several Peoria high schools and has sponsored several book drives to benefit Peoria schools.
 
For the past 10 years, a signature project of the club is to purchase and distribute dictionaries to every third-grade student in the Peoria Unified School District.
 
“All during their dedicated careers in Rotary, the Wheelers traveled to many countries to distribute schoolbooks, administer the polio vaccine, provide computers to schools and bringing goodwill to underprivileged children,” said Steve Matthews, president of the Peoria North Rotary Club.
 
“Their dedication to helping children is the reason the George and Willi Scholarship was founded. It is Rotary’s desire to help as many students as possible to achieve an education and eventually hoping to eliminate poverty throughout the world.”
 
The club recently announced that it will award three scholarships in 2025. The application can be found at www.peorianorthrotary.net.
 
For additional information, email the club at peorianorthr@gmail.com.
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Rotary Club of Sun Lakes hosts '4-Way Test' speech contest
Submitted by Dr. Honora Norton
Rotary Club of Sun Lakes Public Image Chair
 
The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes recently held its 10th Annual Rotary International Four-Way Test Speech Competition.
 
Six students from six different Chandler Unified School District High Schools competed.  The purpose of the 7-5-minute speech is to apply the principles of Rotary International’s Four-Way Test to a current ethical issue. The Four Way Test addresses:
  • Is it the TRUTH? 
  • Is it FAIR to all concerned?
  • Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
  • Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Judges at the event included Leo Schlueter, CUSD Elementary Schools West Region; Dr. Craig Gilbert, CUSD associate superintendent for Pre-K-12 Educational Services; Frank Narducci, CUSD superintendent of schools; Kevin Pitts, Rotary District 5495 Governor; and Dan Serrano, CUSD executive director of Secondary Education/High Schools. 
 
RCSL Rotarian Bill Schink served as contest scorekeeper.
 
Leela Raj-Sankar, a senior at Hamilton High School, was awarded the first-place prize of $500. Her topic was “Ethical Consumption.”
 
Second place, and an award of $250, went to Siyaa Poddar, a sophomore at Arizona College Prep. Her topic was “Curiosity Killed the Cat.”
 
Runners-up were Lucy Davis, Casteel sophomore with the topic “Eating Disorder/Culture;” Charlotte Yeh, a junior at Perry High School, with the topic “Following the Crowd;” Ryu Long, Chandler High School junior, with the topic “Think Before Speak;” and Matthew Garza, Basha junior, with topic “Student Burnout.” Each runner-up received a prize of $100.  
 
For more information about Rotary Club of Sun Lakes programs and membership - visit www.sunlakesrotary.com.
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Rotary Youth Exchange student from Japan meets Mesa Vice Mayor
Masa Kito, the Rotary Club of Mesa West's Rotary Youth Exchange student from Japan, met recently with Vice Mayor Heredia for the City of Mesa. 
 
Masa presented Vice Mayor Heredia the flag of Toyama Mirai Rotary Club in Japan.  Masa informed him on Rotary Youth Exchange and how the Rotary Program develops our youth to become good global citizens.
 
Attending the presentation was Colleen Coons, president of the Mesa West Rotary Club.
Coronado High Schools students view education as the 'key to a good life'
 

Submitted by Max E Rumbaugh, Jr
Past President, Scottsdale Rotary
Essay Contest Chair

Scottsdale Unified School District Superintendent of Schools and Scottsdale Rotary Club Honorary Member Dr. Scott Menzel announced the winners of the third Interact Club of Coronado High School and Rotary Club of Scottsdale essay contest on Tuesday, January 16, 2024. 

This year’s theme was “What Education Means to Me.” 

Fifty-four high school students shared their points of view on the value of education to them. This topic is especially important due to lower nationwide student performances over the past five years and the drop in regular student attendance in schools.

Initial judging of the essays was conducted by members of the Rotary Club of Scottsdale. They selected the 11 essays as the finalist for the contest. This topic on education was selected because it is one of Rotary’s areas of focus on around the world. Distinguished leaders in Scottsdale and authors with known reputations made the final selection of this year’s winners.

The students recognized by Dr. Menzel were Joel Garcia, first place; Julissa Luviano Olivares, second place; Brandon Sola, third place. Honorable mention awards were presented to Lilliana Minor, Emili Gonzalez Cabrera, and Nicole Galvan Ayon. Award winners each received a gift card from the Scottsdale Rotary Club Foundation. 

In addition, Dr. Menzel provided certificates of recognition to the other five finalists: Leslie Castrejon-Bahena, Kailyn Holsey, Angel Castanda, Kimberly Lopez Carranza, and Emmanuel Silva Orozco.

The students, through their essays, affirmed their beliefs that an education is important for a good life. In doing so, students identified many forms of education that have been valuable to them.

One author describes how her high school teachers provided support and encouragement. It was her high school teachers who transformed her opinion that "education was my enemy" in her early school years, to educational success and a positive attitude about herself in high school.

Another student discovered that vocational education was of immediate value to her and plans for continued education in a trade school degree followed by university studies to further assure her future successes. 

A third author attributes his family with the most important education he has received so far. It has been his family that instilled motivation, moral values, and ethics in him.

Family had a different educational influence in another essay. This author was unmotivated and unenthusiastic. It was her family that encouraged her to do better than they and to become the first in her family to achieve a high school diploma.

A counselor is the focus of another student. It was his counselor who introduced him to a website on career opportunities available for young people’s future. His resulting career choice has motivated him to pursue education towards that end.

Two students noted the ability of people to educate themselves was the most valuable trait humans possess. One is always “having her head in books.” Through reading, she learned “lessons woven within the splashes of ink that really mattered.” 

Another noted that during COVID, she decided to self-educate herself on nutrition. This motivated her to enthusiastically pursue her education in a related field. 

Finally, one author summarizes the importance of education by noting that ever since his “first steps in the preschool classroom, education has given me opportunities to meet friends, gain valuable skills, and have the chance to discover what I like and don’t like.”

Also participating in the award ceremony were Coronado Principal Amy Palatucci, Scottsdale Rotary Club President Gretchen Kinder, Rotarian Vibha Pradhan, English Teacher Dr. Jo Markette, and Interact Club Teacher Sponsor Serenity Ruiz.

Essay Program Chair and Rotarian Max Rumbaugh, noted that, “Many students (and parents) are struggling with a lack of understanding of the value of education. These essays provide examples of broad educational sources, personal insights, and peer expressions of the value of education for a better life.” 

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Year three of Jr. RYLA returns June 12-15, 2024 | Clubs asked to lend their support!
 
District 5495 is sponsoring its third year of Jr. RYLA at Camp at Camp Wamatochick in Prescott, AZ. After many years of great impact at the high school level Jr. RYLA was started to create leaders at a younger age for even greater impact. The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Camp exists to aspire youth to become exceptional leaders in our communities committed to the ideals of the Four Way Test.
 
The target audience for Jr. RYLA is students have completed 6th through 8th grades in the Summer.
 
The establishment of the Jr Interact clubs within the district has prepared delegates for this camp. As the leaders of the future, they learn to understand themselves, their strengths, and opportunities for growth. The theme is “Discovering your Why” leads to sessions on role models, personalities, conflict resolution, emphasizing the Four Way Test as a model for personal interactions. Interactive sessions mixed with physical activities keep these young delegates engaged. They are led by Sr. High Interact and Rotaract leaders as well as Rotarians.
 
The Jr. RYLA Camp needs support in two major ways:
  1. Recommendations for Delegates for the 2024 camp from your Middle Schools. If you have any connections to this age group, please send them to this website: https://www.ryla5495wamatochick.org/
     
  2. Sponsorship for delegates by your Rotary Club: It costs $350 to sponsor one delegate for the Camp. Below you will find two testimonials from Rotary Leaders about this sponsorship. Many Rotary Clubs have also assisted with a Founders Sponsorship at $2,500. Please reach out to your club to find out if a sponsorship has been designated or if it is still possible this year. If not this year, then consider it part of your next year funding.
 
By Colleen Malany, President
Goodyear Pebble Creek Rotary Club
 
Just as RYLA is, JrRYLA can be a life-changing experience for the participants.  There’s a lot of “good stuff” that goes on during the weekend, from the education to the fun to the bonding.  All important life lessons.
 
Last year Rotary Club of Goodyear PebbleCreek sponsored five students from Avondale Middle School participants.  This year, GYPC Rotary Club budgeted for 8 students ($350 pp) enabling students from AMS as well as Copper Trails to attend this coming June of 2024. 
 
What is the follow up?  Now that there is a substantial number of students in each of the two schools who have participated in Jr RYLA, Interact Clubs can be launched.  Advisors have been identified and the administration in each school is endorsing the start up of the clubs.  The principles and objectives of Jr RYLA can be transformed and reinforced into an on-going, sustainable program throughout the school year.  Everything they do is geared toward “Finding Your Why”, the focus of the curriculum.
 
The GYPC Club always looks forward to these students, and now, their Interact advisors’ presentation at one of our meetings about the impact of the weekend, their impressions of what their takeaway was, and how they will use the information they learned at Jr RYLA. 
 
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Rotary Club of Sun Lakes honors Teachers of the Month
 
Submitted by: Dr. Honora Norton, RCSL Public Image Chair
 
The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes (RCSL) congratulated and presented awards to the Club's Chandler Unified School District Teachers 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. 
 
Christina Pjura, 2nd Grade Teacher at CUSD Chandler Traditional Academy -Independence Campus, was named RCSL's December 2023 Teacher of the Month. Christina, who has 15 years teaching experience, earned her bachelor's degree in education and psychology from The College of New Jersey and is certified in both elementary education and middle grade mathematics. Christina's education philosophy is believing learning should be fun, exploratory, and collaborative. She tries her best to create an engaging environment for her students by each day trying to be better than the day before, to instill that desire in her students as well.
 
Dr. Bonnie Flores, Honors Geometry/Honors Algebra 1 Teacher at CUSD Bogle Junior High School, was named January 2024 Teacher of the Month.  Dr. Flores, who has 25 years teaching experience, earned her B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Florida and continued at UF to complete my M.Eds. in Curriculum and Instruction, specializing in both secondary school math and science. In 2012, she graduated from Nova Southeastern University with her Doctorate in Education, specializing in both Educational Technology and Distance Education, as well as Modern Learning Theory. 
 
Dr. Flores's education philosophy is to make a positive growing experiences by working as a team, teacher-child-parent. Communication, consistency, and positive
reinforcement are keys to a child's success, She believes a teacher's role is to guide, facilitate, engage, and entice the students' search for knowledge, as they learn to find answers to their questions, and get down to the GRIT of it!
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Rotary Club of Sun Lakes has long history of supporting education
Submitted by: Dr. Honora Norton, RCSL Public Image Director
 
The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes (RCSL) continues its legacy of supporting the community's youth through its Educational Projects. 
 
Club President Elect Peter Meade recently led a successful reverse raffle fundraiser to support the Club's Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) Program. Per DPIL Club Program co-lead Val Crump, one of RCSL's service goals is to support education in our local community. It is done in several ways - volunteer with 5th and 6th grader STEM programs, provide 3rd graders with dictionaries, hold high school speech contests, provide scholarships, lead "Teacher of the Month" programs, provide leadership training opportunities for high school and college students, and partner with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL).
 
The DPIL Program has been around since 1995 and is the premier early childhood book gifting program in the world. Parents of children from birth until age 5, sign their child up to receive a free book in the mail every month for 5 years! The impact of the program has been widely researched. It removes any barriers to children having books in their home and helps to develop oral language skills and a lifetime love of reading. 
 
RCSL was one of the first organizations in our state to implement the program, and since 2019, RCSL has provided over 1,500 children in the cities of Guadalupe and Chandler with a monthly book at no cost to their family.
 
Both Peter and Val extend thank you to all the RCSL members and friends who supported the reverse raffle.  The draw was held on January 20, 2024, at the
Sun Lakes Country Club.  With 175 raffle tickets sold the prize came to $8,500 pretax. Scott Faver, of The Party Favers, was event's DJ and host. Scott led the party and over the course of about 90 minutes led the reverse raffle with intermediate prizes and a game or two, The NFL playoffs were going on at same time. 
 
There were plenty of appetizers and a cash bar.  As the raffle started to come down to the wire it was paused with 25 names left to be drawn.  Of the 25 names, 12 of the people were in the room.  That is when it got serious, and everyone began ignoring the football game and focused 100% on the raffle screen.  One by one, names were drawn and eliminated from the grand prize of $8,500. Then it came down to the final two names and they were both in the room - Debbie Bailey and Amy Crump Sabin. 
 
Again, the raffle was paused.  A question was asked.  Do we continue down to one winner or do the two of you want to split the prize between you? Common sense prevailed and Debbie and Amy agreed that they were both winners!  To be exact: Net after required withholding for each winner was $3,249.
 
Also, during the last several months of 2023, RCSL members and friends delivered dictionaries to 3rd graders in the East Valley.  Per RCSL Dictionary Project lead, Roger Edmonds, the Club has been doing this project for 20 years.  83,000 students have received dictionaries.  In 2023 dictionaries were delivered to 30 elementary schools in the Chandler Unified School District, as well as two schools on the Gila River Reservation.
 
What makes the project so special is that this Dictionary contains more than just words and definitions.  It often represents the first personal book these children are given and contains sections on world geography, civics, multiplication tables, science, the water cycle, planets, the constitution, bill of rights, presidents and even has illustrations for sign language and braille.  The RCSL Rotarians help in the preparation by putting stickers on each book containing the Rotary logo, the 4 Way Test, and inserting a bookmark.  Each Rotarian goes to an assigned school and meets with the 3rd graders and teachers to explain the dictionary and talk about Rotary and its function as they present each child with their own personal dictionary that is theirs to keep and use at school and home.
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Rotary Club of Sun Lakes honors Teachers of the Month
 
Submitted Dr. Honora Norton,
Public Image Chair, Sun Lakes Rotary Club

The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes (RCSL) congratulated and presented awards to the Club’s Chandler Unified School District (CUSD) Teachers of the Month.   

Per 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.  

October 2023 RCSL’s Teacher of the Month is Lance A. Michael M.Ed., ATC, Head Athletic Trainer/Sports Medicine Instructor at CUSD’s Hamilton High School.  Lance’s education and educational background includes Summer Athletic Training Internship with Kansas City Chiefs; B.A. at Kearney State/ University of Nebraska – Kearney;  M.Ed. Graduate Assistant in Sports Medicine Department at Arizona State University. 

Topics in his classes include Anatomy, Kinesiology, Care, Recognition, Prevention and Rehabilitation of Athletic Injuries, Injury Management, and First Aid.  Per colleague Heather Hackett, Lance has spent 26 years at the school; is a dedicated and compassionate educator who has consistently gone above and beyond to provide school athletes with the best possible care.

November 2023 RCSL Teacher of the Month is David Howell, 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher at CUSD Willis Junior High School. David graduated from Arizona State University with Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education (History) with an additional endorsement in structured English immersion.  David’s educational philosophy: an average day in a Social Studies classroom goes far beyond learning historical facts; his goal is to encourage all students to think critically, collaborate inclusively, and develop the necessary skills to become a positive contributor to the world. Per Jeff Delp, School Principal, David makes a positive impact on the learning and social development of his students and demonstrates a reflective attitude, flexibility, patience, and a desire to improve.

For more information about RCSL – see www.sunlakesrotary.com

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