Rotary Clubs Support Veterans with $5,800 Check
Pictured with Gizmo Award and $5,800 check (left to right) are Stan Kaufman (RCSL treasurer/AVFF volunteer), Mark Pearlstein and Rich Simmons (AVFF volunteers), Jon Lyons (RCSL’s ASU Rotaract liaison), and representing ASU Rotaract Rotary Club, Aurelio Morales, Zach Dellner, and Xavier Preciado.
Dr. Honora Norton, RCSL Public Image Director
At a recent Rotary Club of Sun Lakes (RCSL) meeting, the ASU Rotaract Rotary Club announced that $5,800 was collected from several Southeast Valley Rotary Clubs who submitted bids/donations to win the Gizmo Award. RCSL was the club that raised the most money, resulting in the ASU Rotaract 2022-23 Gizmo Award being presented to RCSL Club President Victoria Flatley. All of the $5,800 proceeds were presented via a check to Arizona Veterans Fly Fishing Organization (AVFF) representatives at the same meeting. AVFF is a nonprofit organization that is designed to help facilitate the physical and emotional well-being of disabled veterans through fly fishing and related activities. RCSL and its members have been longtime AVFF supporters.
For more information about RCSL programs and membership, see www.sunlakesrotary.com.
Rotarian of the Month
RCSL President Victoria Flatley with Neil Cutler, November 2023 RCSL Rotarian of the Month
Dr. Honora Norton, RCSL Public Image Director
Rotary Club of Sun Lakes (RCSL) named Neil Cutler, a member of RCSL’s Public Image Committee who serves as backup photographer and reporter for RCSL’s weekly meetings, Rotarian of the Month.
Additionally, he has volunteered at various RCSL projects, including the recent Sun Lakes Electronics Recycle event. Neil is owner of American Family Insurance, Neil B. Cutler Agency, and co-founder of Chandler Business Alliance. RCSL Club President Victoria Flatley and RCSL members congratulate Neil.
Recycle Electronics Event Another Success
A few of the event volunteers: Back row (left to right): Gary Magao, Neil Cutler, Bill Crump, Bob Phillips, Bill Schenk, Stan Kaufman; front row (left to right): Victoria Flatley, Debbie Bailey, Terry Thompson, Chloe Hanken, Val Crump, Janet McDonald. There were many more volunteers who are not pictured.
Dr. Honora Norton, RCSL Public Image Director
Per Rotary Club of Sun Lakes Chairperson Debbie Bailey, the second electronics recycle collection day at Sun Lakes was a success. More than two truckloads of equipment were collected. AZStRUT (Arizona Students Recycling Used Technology), a 501(c)(3) organization that started in 1997 by Intel and Motorola, will refurbish and distribute the equipment to Arizona schools and nonprofits that will benefit. AZStRUT started partnering with nonprofits, such as RCSL, and with Valley schools’ computer repair programs to assist in the refurbishing efforts.
The event’s chairperson Debbie Bailey and RCSL Club President Victoria Flatley extend a grateful thank you to all the volunteers and donors who made this event a success. Your support is appreciated. See www.sunlakesrotary.com for more information.
RCSL Awards CUSD Teachers of the Month
RCSL Education Chair Gary Kay; Trevor Hammond, RCSL August Teacher of the Month; Greg Milbrandt, CUSD Chandler High School principal; and RCSL President Victoria Flatley (photo by Neil Cutler)
RCSL President Victoria Flatley; RCSL Education Chair Gary Kay; Kierstin Yamashita, RCSL September Teacher of the Month; and Jennifer Nusbaum, CUSD Weinberg Gifted Academy principal (photo by Neil Cutler)
Dr. Honora Norton, RCSL Public Image Director
Rotary Club of Sun Lakes (RCSL) has announced the winners of the August 2023 Teacher of the Month Award: Trevor Hammond, and September 2023 Teacher of the Month Award: Kierstin Yamashita. Per RCSL Education Director Gary Kay, the award selection is based on the 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 Sun Lakes Rotary Club, $200 from Earnhardt Automotive Center, and $100 from Trust Bank.
Trevor Hammond, who has two years of teaching experience, is a government and world history teacher at CUSD Chandler High School (CHS). He was nominated by CHS colleague Madelyn Jett. Trevor is sponsor of the CHS Speech and Debate Club, frequently attends CHS sporting events, and supervises/attends many after-school/weekend events. He teaches an IB global politics class. Through various learning styles, Trevor fosters an incredible classroom environment, never gives up on a student, and supports current/former students’ goals and plans. He uses his varied military and nonprofit in Africa experiences to captivate students and volunteers within the community.
Trevor, a native New Yorker and Army veteran, has a passion for history. He earned a B.A. in history and a B.A. in secondary education. His educational philosophy is “All students are capable of excelling.”
Mrs. Yamashita, who has 38 years of teaching experience, is a kindergarten visual arts teacher to all kindergarten through 6th grade students at CUSD Weinburg Gifted Academy (WGA). She was nominated by Jennifer Nusbaum, WGA administrator. Mrs. Yamashita is involved with students before/after school and connects family members as volunteers. She built an elementary visual arts program that offers students access to mixed media experiences through various learning styles. She is a prolific grant writer, offers access to the Art Hub creative space, and extends learning by offering clubs and experiences, including advanced ceramics, photography, and more. She serves on WGA’s Teacher Leadership, Equity, and Yearbook teams and participates in various community programs, like the Intel annual Peace Poster Contest.
Mrs. Yamashita, a Chandler resident, earned her fine arts bachelor’s degree at South Dakota’s Jamestown University and earned her gifted education master’s degree from NAU while teaching fine arts in Yuma, Ariz. Her educational philosophy is “Learning is a lifelong experience. It is a journey that we have a privilege and an obligation to undertake. What we learn and experience today is valuable; sometimes for just oneself, sometimes for our families, or in our community. We are important and we can make a difference.”
For more information about RCSL programs and membership, see www.sunlakesrotary.com.
Rotary Partners with Sew-N-Sews
Rotary Club of Sun Lakes (RCSL) Rotarians Kandi Skrabala (left) and Debbie Bailey (right) present the crayon and coloring book totes that Kandi created for the RCSL partnership with the Children’s Charities committee of Sun Lakes Sew-N-Sews. The totes and other handmade comfort items are then donated to Chandler Police Department, Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels, and other children’s agencies. For more info, see www.sunlakesrotary.com.