[Goodyear, AZ | May 2025] — Liz Magallanes, a member of the West Valley Rotaract Club, was named the Arizona Rotary District 5495 Rotaractor of the Year at the district’s annual Conference of Clubs.

 

District Governor Michelle Holcomb and District 5495 Rotaract Chair Ed Koeneman presented the award to Miss Magallanes at the conference held May 1-3 at the We-ko-pa Resort and Casino in Fountain Hills.

 

Miss Magallanes serves as both Vice President and Treasurer of the West Valley Rotaract Club. She lives in Avondale and attends Estrella Mountain Community College. This prestigious recognition celebrates Liz’s tireless dedication, inspiring leadership, and her deep commitment to living out the Rotary motto, “Service Above Self.”

 

According to Club President Brianna Rodriguez, Liz has been “a driving force in our club, consistently going above and beyond to support her fellow members, whom she perceives as a found family, and the broader community.

 

“We are absolutely elated to see her hard work recognized at the district level, and we hope you’ll join us in congratulating her on this well-deserved honor,” added Miss Rodriguez.

 

Rotaract clubs bring together people ages 18 and older to exchange ideas with leaders in the community, develop leadership and professional skills, and have fun through service.

 

Receiving the award came as a complete surprise to Miss Magallanes.

 

"When Ed called my name and asked me to come up to the stage, I was kind of losing my mind honestly, I wasn’t expecting it at all. But standing up there and hearing all the kind things he shared made me feel truly special and seen. I was definitely nervous, but more than anything, I just felt this overwhelming joy hearing everyone cheer and knowing how much support I have," said Liz.

"Being in Rotaract means being part of something bigger than yourself. It means finding a community, building friendships, giving back through service, and growing as leaders together. That’s what I love most about Rotaract. I love watching our members grow into the people they’re meant to be."

 

In communities worldwide, Rotary and Rotaract members work side by side to take action through service. Rotaract members decide how to organize and run their clubs, manage their own funds, and plan and carry out activities and service projects. Rotary club sponsors offer guidance and support and work with your club as partners in service.

 

 

Rotary members improve lives and bring positive, lasting change to communities around the world by promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water and sanitation, supporting education, saving mothers and children, growing local economies and protecting the environment. Rotary’s top priority is the global eradication of polio. Rotary launched its polio immunization program, PolioPlus, in 1985, and in 1988 became a leading partner in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

 

Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.4 million members of more than 46,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping those in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit Rotary.org.

 

For more information about Rotary in Arizona, visit the District 5495 website. For information on joining a local Rotary Club, email membership@rotary5495.org.

 

 

CONTACT:

Brianna Rodriquez, President of West Valley Rotaract Club (602) 499-7566

Liz Magallanes, (480) 335-9088

 

For more information about Rotaract, visit the District 5495 website.