Rotary Club Honors Members for Philanthropic Gifts
Dr. Honora Norton
Rotary Club of Sun Lakes (RCSL) member Neil Cutler was honored for his philanthropic gifts to Rotary International Foundation. Rotary International Foundation transforms Rotarians’ gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. The Rotary Foundation helps Rotary members to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty through local, domestic, and international service projects. The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or have contributions in their names, to the Rotary Foundation.
Additionally, RCSL Rotarians Ann Diamond and Becky Kerr were acknowledged for their philanthropic gifts to Sun Lakes Rotary Foundation 2000. Rotary Foundation 2000 is RCSL’s charitable arm. The tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) was established to promote charitable giving and provide support for RCSL’s projects, activities, and sustainability.
If you have any questions or if you are interested in joining RCSL, see www.sunlakesrotary.com.
CUSD’s Semiconductor CTE Program
Dr. Honora Norton, RCSL Public Image Director
Thirty Rotary Club of Sun Lakes (RCSL) members met at CUSD Hamilton High School to learn about CUSD’s Semiconductor CTE Program. RCSL President Ed Anderson introduced RCSL Rotarian Janet Hartkopf, CUSD’s Emerging Technologies coordinator/Cyber Security Program director, who provided an informative overview of CUSD’s Semiconductor CTE Program, the first semiconductor program in a public U.S. high school.
Janet was instrumental in building the program’s 25-member business advisory board and curriculum. Janet shared information about the program’s history, business and academic partnerships, the program’s $1 million lab center, camps, curriculum, student diversity, and her recent attendance at New Taipei City, Taiwan, SEMICON, Asia’s premier industry event, as part of a 55 Arizona academic and business member delegation.
RCSL attendees felt the enthusiasm and excitement Janet experiences being part of this innovative, state-of-the-art program. Janet has been an RCSL Rotarian since 2014, serving as club’s webmaster and past editor of the club’s newsletter.
Janet is a lifelong learner, having earned her Master of Education from Grand Canyon University and currently attending U of A’s Cyber Security Master’s Program. Also attending the meeting was Cori Christenson, past Rotary Club of Gilbert president/Rio Salado Community College Student Services manager, who has supported Janet in her efforts.
For more information about RCSL, see www.sunlakesrotary.com.
Rotarians Gift 90,000 Dictionaries Over 22 Years
Dr. Honora Norton, RCSL Public Image Director
In the Summer of 2002, Rotary Club of Sun Lakes (RCSL) member Dwight Grotewold visited the Rotary Club of Logan, Utah, where he learned about their innovative elementary school initiative known as “A Dictionary for 3rd Graders.” Drawing on his experience as a former K-12 teacher and his recent retirement as Vice President of Admissions for the University of Colorado, Dwight championed the idea and presented it to RCSL board and its members. The proposal was approved for implementation during the Rotary year 2003-04.
Following RCSL’s board’s approval, fundraising efforts began immediately. In its inaugural year, RCSL successfully distributed more than 5,000 dictionaries to 3rd grade students across the Chandler Unified School District, private schools, the Gilbert Unified School District, area Indian community schools, and Title 9 programs. This significant accomplishment was made possible through the dedicated efforts of four RCSL members, Bill Giessing, Bonnie Whiting, Gary Whiting, and Roger Edmonds, who have participated in the project every school year for 22 consecutive years.
RCSL members and other supporters believed that the dictionary project would empower students to become better spellers, readers, thinkers, and speakers. Teachers have consistently been the primary champions of this initiative, using the dictionaries for classroom projects as well as take-home assignments, further enhancing students’ educational experiences.
For more info about RCSL, see www.sunlakesrotary.com.
David Mork presented Ann Diamond with her Rotarian of the Month pin, certificate, and club plaque.
Ann Diamond
Dr. Honora Norton, RCSL Public Image Director
The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes (RCSL) extends congratulations to Sun Lakes resident Ann Diamond who was named RCSL’s October 2025 Rotarian of the Month. Ann leads RCSL’s membership initiatives, partners with the Sun Lakes Sew-N-Sews Club, and much more.
Left to right: Stacy Sher, RCSL September Teacher of the Month, and Kat Hendricsen, RCSL August Teacher of the Month, with sponsor, RCSL corporate member Earnhardt Auto Centers representative Jordon Reynolds
Rotary Honors CUSD Teachers
Dr. Honora Norton, RCSL Public Image Director
The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes (RCSL) named Kat Hendricsen the August 2025 RCSL Teacher of the Month. Coach Hendricsen is a physical education teacher at CUSD Carlson Elementary School. Coach Hendricsen has over 13 years of teaching experience after earning her Bachelor of Education degree at Northern Arizona University.
RCSL named Stacy Sher the September 2025 RCSL Teacher of the Month. Ms. Sher is a physical education teacher at CUSD Riggs Elementary School. Ms. Sher has 25 years of teaching experience after earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in educational leadership.
Both teachers’ dedication, heart, and impact made them ideal candidates for RCSL’s Teacher of the Month honors.
Becky Kerr, RCSL Education Committee member, thanks RCSL corporate members Earnhardt Automotive and TrustBank who jointly sponsor the $700 check given to each RCSL Teacher of the Month. Additionally, each teacher was presented with the opportunity to be an RCSL club-funded Rotarian for one year.
For more information about RCSL, see www.sunlakesrotary.com.
RCSL Veterans Services Committee: Stan Kaufman (chair), Gary Kay, Dr. Honora Norton, Philip Alexander, Ed Anderson (RCSL president), Bob Phillips; not pictured: Kiamesha Guy, Peter Meade, Jim O’Connell, Ann Diamond, Scott Faver
Rotary Club of Sun Lakes
Dr. Honora Norton
The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes (RCSL) Veterans Services Committee met to plan its 2025-26 East Valley projects and events:
Arizona Patriot Guard Riders’ Yuletide 4 Heroes toy/diaper/gift card collection for veteran families (October through mid-November). Contact Gary Kay at 909-717-7821 to donate.
Catholic Charities MANA House, Feb. 12, 2026. Members visit to serve dinner and converse with homeless and formerly homeless veterans at MANA’s housing facility. Contact Dr. Norton at 602-692-4153.
Be the Miracle Motorcycle Charity Ride, Feb. 7, 2026, starting at Desert Wind Harley Davidson dealership. For financial support and participation, contact Stan Kaufman at 710-238-2310.
Cards for Veterans (goal 500 cards), a partnership with Chandler Horizon Rotary Club. Contact Ann Diamond at 541-499-5831.
Nov. 11, 2025, RCSL Veterans Day meeting/dinner with exciting program to celebrate all veterans. Contact Kiamesha Guy at 480-444-6568.
Pups and Warriors Side by Side, month of money raffle and support of Nov. 8, 2025, Gala held at Desert Wind Harley Davidson dealership.
Please consider joining Rotary Club of Sun Lakes to participate in the above rewarding veteran projects/programs and enjoy the fellowship of like-minded people of action. See www.sunlakesrotary.com or contact Membership Chair Ann Diamond at 541-499-5831.