Call to Order:  Acting/Past President Mike Gibson
Flag Salute:  Glenn Morris
Invocation:   Gary Nemetz

Our guests today included the many scholarship recipients, their parents, and school administrators

Scholarship Awards
Today's Rotary meeting included the awarding of $31,000 in scholarships to local high school seniors.  The scholarships were awarded in the following areas; Vocational Scholarships of $1,000 each, Hancock College Bound Scholarships in the amount of $500 (renewable in the second year), Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary Memorial Scholarships in the amount of $2,000, and Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary Support Scholarships in the amount of $1,000.  

 

Incoming President Mike Buhring, presented scholarships to the following recipients:

Jose Aguirre - Pioneer Valley High School

Alex Avendano - Pioneer Valley High School

Leah Torres - Pioneer Valley High School

Mirian Vasquez-Marquez - Santa Maria High School

 

 

Hancock College Superintendent/President, Dr. Kevin Walthers, presented scholarships to the following recipients:

Gizelle Mincitar - Santa Maria High School

Julia Rodriguez - Ernest Righetti High School

Gillianne Reizl Soriano - Pioneer Valley High School

Kali Rose Villanueva - Ernest Righetti High School

 

 

Interact Sponsor Michele Jensen, presented scholarships to the following recipients:

Francesca Muto - Ernest Righetti High School

Ji-Soo Park - Ernest Righetti High School

Kush Patel - Ernest Righetti High School

 

 

Past President Shannon Seifert, presented scholarships to the following recipients:

Kayla Alarcon - Pioneer Valley High School

Jennifer Angeles - Pioneer Valley High School

Joon Chang - Ernest Righetti High School

Thomas Chiavacci - St. Jospeh High School

Cassi Colangelo - Ernest Righetti High School

Erica Diza Cervantes - Pioneer Valley High School

Michaela Freebourn - Orcutt Academy High School

Angie Ho - Ernest Righetti High School

Aaron Lee - Ernest Righetti High School

Ysenia Martinez-Espinoza - Santa Maria High School

Stephania Mendez Machuca - Santa Maria High School

Mitchell Modlin - Orcutt Academy High School

Cara Moussa - Orcutt Academy High School

Monserrat Nolasco - Santa Maria High School 

Samantha Santana - St. Joseph High School

Diego Villagram - Santa Maria High School

Nhung Katryna Vong - Santa Maria High School

Hamilton Wall - Orcutt Academy High School

Megan Widle - Ernest Righetti High School

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our speaker today was Courtney Reyburn, daughter of Teresa Reyburn.  Courtney recently graduated in three years from UCLA, Summa Cum Laude.   

She shared valuable life lessons for today’s seniors that included:

1).  It’s ok to change your major.  Find what you love; if you go into something you don’t love, it will be hard for the rest of your life  She wanted to be an attorney, then during freshmen orientation, realized the pressure and majored in political science.  During her college journey she decided to become a teacher instead, and now wants to teach students life skills.

2) Being home sick is normal. Her first year was great, then during her sophomore year she realized it is not so easy.  You will feel homesick - dig deep, and stick it out.

3) You will experience a big transition academically.  It is a big change when you go to ten-week classes.   It seems you just get started, then a few weeks later it’s midterms, then before you know it, your taking finals.

4) It’s ok to get a “B” in college - don’t get discouraged. Take advantage of the services available to you. Talk to your TAs - they grade your papers. Use your resources.

Final Thoughts

In closing, Mike Gibson talked to the students about service:

“Your college experience will go by quickly.  You will be out in the world making your way.  Remember this morning.  Our club, as well as other scholarship donors, did this because we believe in you.  You are our best hope for making this world a better place.  When you get into your community, please pay it forward – “service above self”. This is our way in investing in you, to help make the world a better place.”