Stories

GYPC Supports Watts of Love Africa

For over four years, a small but determined team led by Colleen Malany from the Goodyear Pebblecreek Rotary held onto a dream: to bring light to Kego Academy in Homa Bay.

Kego Academy, supported by Rippling Waters Organization, serves children who are predominantly orphans. Coordinating this trip was no small feat, but once Colleen and her Rotary partner Karen Gimse shared the vision the support followed, the funding came in, and the dream became reality.

When Watts of Love fundraises for a Global Travel Team, every dollar raised goes directly to lights and training.

Our travelers cover all of their own expenses, making this impact truly meaningful and community-driven.

This is just the beginning. Kego Academy's teachers are now Watts of Love trainers, and they'll be checking in regularly with families— ensuring students are using their lights to study at night and that guardians are building savings for the future.

We can't wait to share more about this incredible project in the future.

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GYPC Paul Harris Society Members discuss their membership

A panel discussion was held on April 1, 2026, to review our founder, Paul Harris, and how to become a Paul Harris Fellow.

Our panel was made up of five club members who hold multiple Paul Harris Fellow designations, 31 between the five of them, as well as an impressive 196 years of Rotary service. Kit Bowerman, Gregg Mitchell, Pat Doland, Milt Dennison, and Bill Marcum made up the panel and kept the conversation flowing, informing our members about Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Club, Goodyear PebbleCreek Foundation and Rotary International and how each interacts with the other. Service Above Self is the Rotary motto.

Many projects are identified and funded through the sanitation and hygiene, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, club, district, and international. One of Rotary’s major goals and one that is highly visible is to eradicate polio around the globe. Other areas of focus are peacebuilding and conflict resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water.

Rotary was founded by attorney Paul Harris in 1905 in Chicago, Illinois. Paul invited three of his clients and friends to join him to talk about how they could make a difference while networking and establishing friendships. From those humble beginnings in 1905,

Rotary is now in 200 countries, 45,000 clubs, and 1.2 million members. In 1957, Rotary established the Paul Harris Fellow recognition to acknowledge individuals who contribute $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation. This recognition is to encourage and show appreciation for substantial contributions to what was then the Foundation’s only funding program. Rotary.org is the website to gather in-depth information and to sign up for inclusion in Every Rotarian Every Year.

GYPC Student of the Month

Students of the Month

More new GYPC Rotarians

We were honored to induct two new members into our Rotary family on March 11, 2026.

Heidi Flaming-Buschman is an educator who is new to Rotary but has a great mentor in her father-in-law, a long-time Rotarian. Fairly new to Arizona, Heidi is a leader and a giver. She is looking forward to working to make our community a better place. She is looking forward to doing something many of us have as a bucket list item, attending the International Rotary Convention this summer in Taipei, Taiwan.

Kit Bowerman joins us from his Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club in Bellevue, Washington. Kit has been visiting our club over the last few years, and he and his wife are making a permanent move to Arizona, becoming snowbirds. Kit is a Veterinary Medicine/Small Animal Veterinarian, retired. He first became involved in Rotary in 1977 when he was invited by his pastor to begin a Bellevue Rotary Club. We welcome Kit
who has joined us with many years of experience and is willing to share his experiences
with us.

Senior to Senior participate in Read Access America

The members of the Senior to Senior Program (which included many from Goodyear Pebble Creek Rotary) read to elementary-grade students at Eliseo C. Felix School in Avondale, Arizona. Adult seniors with high school seniors from the Agua Fria School District worked together to promote reading by reading with Eliseo in their classrooms.

Rotary Helps Palm Valley School with Food?/Snacks

During the school year, many children rely on the daily hot lunch programs provided through the Palm Valley Elementary School. But when school closes for holidays and breaks, that dependable source of meals disappears for some families.

It’s hard to imagine children going home for a full week without enough food.

That’s why members of the Rotary Club of Goodyear Pebble Creek stepped up. Together, we packed backpacks with easy-to-prepare foods and snacks so these students will have something to help sustain them during Spring Break.

These backpacks represent more than food — they represent care, compassion, and a community that looks out for its kids.

Desert Edge High School Mar. 26 SOM

Desert Edge senior Gurleen Dulay has been selected the March 2026 Student of the Month for Outstanding Achievement in Academic Excellence.

Gurleen was selected by Principal Gretchen Hann who shared this narrative:

Gurleen Dulay is a responsible, driven, and well-rounded student who consistently demonstrates dedication to excellence in all that she pursues. She approaches every task with focus, determination, and a positive attitude, and her strong work ethic and willingness to go above and beyond make her a pleasure to have in class. Gurleen has challenged herself through the most rigorous AP and upper-level math coursework our school offers, showing mastery at the highest levels while maintaining careful attention to detail. She actively pursues her passion for medicine through HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) and her sports medicine internship at Abrazo West Campus, while also serving as President of the National Honor Society, where she is committed to meaningful community service. As a student athlete, Gurleen has competed on both the Badminton and Tennis teams, earning numerous All-State Academic honors. She gives her absolute best to her teams, mentors younger athletes, and serves on our campus FAFSA (Federal Financial Student Aid) team. Gurleen’s ability to balance academic rigor, leadership, service, and athletics with organization and integrity makes her a truly deserving recipient of the Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Student of the Month in the category of Academic Excellence.

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Desert Edge High School Feb. 26 SOM

Desert Edge sophomore Logan Trainor has been selected the February 2026 Student of the Month for Outstanding Achievement in Vocational/CTE Excellence.

Logan was nominated by his teacher Mr. Adam Genga who shared this narrative:

Logan Trainor is our nomination for outstanding achievement in Vocational and CTE Excellence in Sports Medicine. Logan demonstrates an exceptional understanding of the course content and consistently applies his knowledge at the highest level. He is often the student his classmates look to for accurate answers and deeper insight. Despite being one of the most knowledgeable students in the program, Logan remains humble and reserved, frequently allowing others the opportunity to respond before sharing his own expertise. His strong work ethic, quiet confidence, and commitment to mastering his craft exemplify the very best of Career and Technical Education. Logan’s skills, character, and dedication make him a highly deserving recipient of this recognition.

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Buddy and Bonnie back to GYPC Rotary

Buddy and Bonnie Sims are our newest members to Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Club. Buddy and Bonnie were members of our club for several years and then transferred their membership to the Vail-Edwards Rotary Impact Club. The Impact club is a club that devotes its time and energy to service projects.

The Sims continue to summer in Colorado but have decided to bring their membership back to Goodyear PebbleCreek. This couple brings Rotary experience to us, having membership in five clubs as well as launching new clubs over the last several years. We are pleased to welcome Buddy and Bonnie back home to PebbleCreek.

West Valley Non-Profits present to Rotary

West Valley non-profits present their programs to the Goodyear Pebble Creek Rotary. These groups have all received support from GYPC grants. Representing each group was:

From left to right:

Jeremiah Smith, Friends of South West Advocacy Center

Leanne Leonard, Agua Fria Food & Clothing Bank

Brandon Griffith, Griffith Blue Heart

Julie Frentz, HCSS Foundation & Rotarian

Christina Diaz Bracero, Mercy House

Rusty Hood, AZ Community Impact

on Zoom: Cathy Sitarz, HCSS Foundation

Goodyear Pebble Creek Rotary Welcome visiting Rotarian

Goodyear Pebble Creek Rotary welcomes Pat Hogan, from the Barrington, Illinois Rotary.

Rotary Club Builds Beds with Sleep Heavenly Peace

Build a Bed

The Rotary Club of Goodyear Pebble Creek proudly joined forces with the Verado Rotary Club and our incredible Interact students from Estrella Mountain High School to build beds for children in our local community who do not have one of their own.

This project is a meaningful continuation of our commitment to serving our neighbors and addressing real needs right here at home. Every child deserves a safe and comfortable place to sleep, and together we are making that a reality.

Thank you to all the Rotary members and students who rolled up their sleeves and put in the elbow grease to get the job done. Your hard work and heart for service truly make a difference in our community.

Goodyear Pebble Creek Rotary Golf Tournament and Ball-Drop

New Member Michael Navabi at GYPC

Michael Navabi is our newest Rotarian, having his induction on February 4, 2026. Michael was born in Iran, and at a young age, his family moved to Ohio. Michael and his wife Gina, moved to Arizona 6 years ago. Michael is a Civil Engineer, and at one time had a major job bringing him to Arizona. It was a goal thereafter to move to Arizona. In his past, he was a Rotarian in the Dublin Worthington, Columbus, Ohio, club. He enjoys Rotary for the sense of community.

Rotary visit to Goodyear 911 Call Center

Members of the Rotary Club of Goodyear PebbleCreek were treated to a tour of the Goodyear Police Department and the 911 call center on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. The facility is representative of our growing community of Goodyear and one we can all be proud. Our membership is growing. We are committed to serving our community to make it a better place for all of us. The Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Club meets each Wednesday morning at 7:00 am in the Eagle’s Nest Clubhouse.

If you have an interest in community service and would like to join like minded individuals, consider visiting us. Check us out on our website: https://goodyearrotary.org. Our annual fundraiser is approaching: 9 th Annual Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Foundation Golf Tournament, Sunday, May 3, 2026. PebbleCreek Tuscany Falls Golf Course, 16222 Clubhouse Drive, Goodyear. It will be fun. It will benefit student scholarships, local projects and charities and polio eradication. There will be a scramble format, on-course events, prizes for winning foursomes, and raffle prizes. Contact Lulu Zamora, luzamo1@hotmail.com or Steve Thimjon, steve.thimjon@gmail.com for more information.

Rotary Member Major Joe Updates Club on City of Goodyear

On December 17th, Mayor Joe Pazzillo spoke to GYPC Rotary. He shared highlights of 2025 and projected growth in 2026. Highlights of 2025 included new restaurants, the opening of Trader Joe's, the addition of more officers to the Goodyear Police Department and additional Firefighters to Goodyear Fire Stations. Goodyear also added an ambulance to their Emergency Services Department. In addition, single-home houses and apartment availability have increased to house Goodyear's growing population. Coming in 2026, Mayor Joe announced the projected opening of Buccee's for June, several more restaurants, and a new Critical Incident Center coming to the Goodyear Police Department.

Rotary Casino Night Spring 2026

Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Hosts Casino Night For DPIL Project On Friday, January 9th , Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Foundation held their 2nd Annual Casino Night Fundraiser at the Tuscany Ballroom. Attendees enjoyed playing Black Jack, Bingo, Craps, Poker, and Roulette, using their winnings to win fabulous prizes!

Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Foundation, a 501C entity, supports a variety of community projects, including the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Through The Dolly Parton Imagination Library, children from birth to age 5 receive a book a month to promote literacy at home. The Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Foundation enrolls and pays the enrollment fees for families living within specific zip codes in the West Valley. The cost of sponsoring one child for a year is $31.00. Since May of 2021, the Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary has provided over 62,000 books to almost 3000 children. Through this project, Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary supports family and child literacy, which is critical for school success.

Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Foundation would like to thank all who attended Casino Night. Because of your generosity, $5,268 was raised to support the DPIL program. Your enthusiasm, generosity, and full participation made for a fabulous evening! Mark your calendars for January 22nd , 2027 for the Third Annual GYPC Casino Night!

Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary meets Wednesday mornings at 7:00 a.m. in the Eagle’s Nest Club House. Join us to hear an engaging speaker and to learn about our community service projects throughout the West Valley. Check out our website for meeting and event information: www.goodyearrotary.org. For more information on the Dolly Parton Imagination Library contact Jim Frey at jimfrey8235@gmail.com. For information on membership to Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary contact Linda Babcock at lindababcock7@gmail.com.

The New Year Brings New Members

Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Club began 2026 by inducting six new members.

Jane Barnhart is fairly new to PebbleCreek and is an action person. She retired as a clinical lab scientist and is now reaching out to her real passion, people. Jane is looking forward to community service and feels our club fills that role.

Sheri Wallace is a retired foreign language educator. Sheri brings to Rotary a zest for getting things done. Her passion to help people blends well with Service Above Self.

Dave Francis, an engineer who found his way to Human Resources, is an individual willing to lend a hand wherever needed. Dave is community-oriented and enjoys volunteering to make a difference.

Milt Dennison retired from school administration. New to Arizona, Milt was looking for an active Rotary club. Several years ago in a small Washington town, Milt and three friends were meeting regularly and decided to found a Rotary club. A long-time Rotarian with a community service background, Milt exemplifies our Four Way Test of the things we think, say, and do.

Scott Spurgeon is the superintendent of West-Mec vocational schools. He was drawn to Rotary for the community involvement. The growth and commitment to making West-Mec the finest vocational education is a personal goal and learning a bit about Scott, this goal is well within reach. Scott shared that in years past, he was drafted by the Houston Astros and had a baseball career before launching into education.

Brian Issitt, Goodyear Chief of Police, brings a passion for community. Brian shared that he, like Scott, was drafted by the Houston Astros and began his career in baseball before entering the field of law enforcement. Brian is passionate about people and community. The Four Way Test of Rotary is a model he lives each day.

On January 7, 2026, the Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Club became a richer club, having inducted six new members, all of whom are driven by community, action and participation.

GYPC FoodBox Video

GYPC Foodbox Video

Click here to Watch on YouTube

Toy Drive New Life Center

The New Life Center (NCL) contacted us looking for volunteers to help the New Life Center to load their donated toys from Sanderson Ford into a U-Haul and bring the toys back to the New Life Center where they’d be separated into age groups.

We had 10 volunteers from GYPC Rotary who went to Sanderson Ford in Phoenix on December 18th to assist with loading donated toys onto a U-Haul. It is called Operation Santa Claus at Sanderson Ford, and they have been doing it for 24 years. There were a total of five charities that received toys and volunteers from the 5 Charities showed up at Sanderson Ford to assist in loading the toys into their U-Haul! This was the fourth year that NLC was selected as one of the charities.

Citizens are asked to drop a toy donation off before Christmas. Each donor received a ticket to put in a drawing bin to be eligible to win a new Lincoln SUV. They had drawn 15 tickets over several weeks before Christmas, and they drew the winner out on the 19th of December.

Volunteers from GYPC Rotary assisted in loading up the U-Haul and transporting over 30 boxes of toys to the new life center, where they were separated into age, groups, and families that utilize the New Life Center were able to come over last weekend and pick out toys for their children.

Rotary Speaker Dr. Paul Sousa

Speaker: Dr. Paul Sousa on Joint Replacement

Dr. Sousa shared with GYPC Rotarians his expertise and knowledge on common orthopedic problems in older patients. He shared his knowledge on the treatment and repair of both knee and hip problems.

His focus as an Orthopedic doctor and surgeon was “patient education and shared decision-making to find the best treatment options for each individual’s goals.” He answered a variety of questions from Rotarians on treatment, prevention, and recovery, along with new techniques in Orthopedic surgery in knee and hip replacement.

Dr. Sousa completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He went on to finish a Master of Business Administration degree at Cornell University, Johnson School of Management in Ithaca, New York, before earning his Doctor of Medicine degree at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia. Dr. Sousa completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He then underwent a hip and knee surgery fellowship at the Rothman Institute in Philadelphia.

Dr. Sousa is the son-in-law of Rotarian Steve Thimjon and lives in Phoenix with his wife Allison and son Cameron.

Dr. Sousa is part of the practice of Ortho Arizona.

Website: https://www.orthoarizona.org/our-care-team/paul-sousa-md

Welcome Megan Mills to GYPC Rotary

Our newest Rotarian, Megan Mills was inducted into membership on December 17, 2025. Megan has been a member in a different capacity and now joins us as a corporate member in her role as Assistant Superintendent of West-Mec.

Megan is a native Arizonan, having grown up in Glendale. Her most rewarding career opportunity to date was her involvement in the new Hilltop Arts Academy. When asked a question to share something most people would not know about her, she responded that she had lived in Japan for five years and answered in fluent Japanese.

We look forward to Megan’s service to our community through our Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Club.

Another New GYPC Rotarian

Eric Dueppen is our newest Rotarian, inducted on December 3, 2025. Eric is celebrating his six-month anniversary as Superintendent of the Avondale Elementary School District. He grew up in Chino Valley, Arizona and has migrated to the Valley. His passion for people and community shows in his enthusiasm for everything he is tasked to do. We welcome Eric into our Rotary club of Goodyear PebbleCreek and look forward to a long and rewarding tenure in providing Service Above Self.

Welcome New GYPC Rotarians

Two new members were inducted into the membership of Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Club in November 2025.

Vicki Gillis, Goodyear Councilwoman, is a fine example of Service Above Self. She carves out time for our City as well as our Community, and we look forward to her participation in our Rotary club activities.

Alexandra Morrell joined us because of her involvement with our Senior to Senior program. This program is unique to our club in that we have senior citizens mentoring seniors in high school. Both the mature and the maturing learn from one another in this Agua Fria School District activity. Alex is busy with her new position within the Agua Fria High School District, overseeing the development of the new Hilltop School for the Arts, set to open in the fall of 2026. Alex will be the theater manager when the school opens and is currently involved in setting the stage. We are looking forward to a great partnership with Alex and the Hilltop School.

Millennium High School Mar 2026 SOM

Millennium senior Jaydin McCoy has been selected the March 2026 Student of the Month for Outstanding Achievement in Academic Excellence.

Jaydin was nominated by her teacher Mr. Jonathon Schmadeke who shared this narrative:

It is my pleasure to recommend Jaydin McCoy, a senior at Millennium High School, for recognition as a candidate for March Student of the Month with this month’s focus on Academic Excellence. Jaydin consistently demonstrates the qualities this award was created to celebrate: Outstanding academic performance, strong character, and purposeful personal achievement throughout the school year.

Jaydin’s commitment to excellence is especially impressive given the responsibilities she manages outside of school. She works an almost full-time job to save money for college, while still remaining actively involved in school sports and fully dedicated to her studies. Despite an exceptionally demanding schedule, Jaydin continues to push herself academically, demonstrating disciplined habits and a clear goal of achieving the highest GPA possible. Her success reflects not only ability, but also maturity, resilience, and an admirable work ethic.

I am proud to nominate Jaydin McCoy for the Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Club Student of the Month recognition for March. I also want to express sincere appreciation for this partnership and for the meaningful service component of the award.

Click here to access more Students of the Month

Millennium High School January 2026 SOM

Millennium High School Senior Marlee Suaverdez has been selected the January 2026 Student of the month for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Science.

Marlee was nominated by her teacher Ms. Carrie D'Hondt who shared this narrative:

Marlee Suaverdez comes to Forensic Science every day ready to learn! Actually, she's beyond ready...she is eager, curious, and inquisitive. She is a phenomenal young lady, driven by her own intrinsic desire to succeed. Her goal after high school is to pursue a career in Forensic Science, so it isn't surprising that she is completely engaged in this class. Her inherent flair to think outside the box, along with her intellectual aptitude and drive, will lay the foundation for a successful career in crime scene investigation.

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Millennium High School December 2025 SOM

Millennium High School student Jeremiah Wilson has been selected the December 2025 Student of the Month for Outstanding Achievement in Overcoming Adversity.

Jeremiah was nominated by his teacher Ms. Rochelle Russell who shared this narrative:

Jeremiah deals with a lot of health issues. He never lets that dampen his spirit as he always has a smile on his face. He continues to be cheerful and comes to school when he isn't in the hospital because of his health. He continues to stay optimistic in all things.

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Desert Edge High School November 2025 SOM

Desert Edge Sophomore Alexis Segobia has been selected the November 2025 Student of the Month for Outstanding Achievement in Community Outreach.

Alexis was nominated by her teachers Mrs. Samantha Saldana and Ms. Breanna Miranda who collaborated on this narrative:

Alexis stands out as a true leader in Community Outreach through her dedication to the Agriculture Pathway and her commitment to connecting Desert Edge with the broader community. She has worked to build a partnership between our AgriScience program and Wildflower Elementary School, giving students of all ages the opportunity to learn about food, fiber, and natural resources. Alexis helped organize FFA’s (Future Farmers of America) participation in Wildflower’s Trunk or Treat event and is currently planning a Garden Club collaboration for elementary students.

Beyond these initiatives, Alexis proudly represents Desert Edge as an Academy Ambassador—volunteering her time for school and community events, guiding freshmen during pathway tours, and consistently showing up to support FFA activities. Her initiative, positivity, and servant leadership truly embody what it means to make a lasting impact. We are proud to recognize Alexis for her outstanding contributions to community outreach!

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Millennium High School Feb 2026 SOM

Millennium High School sophomore Olivia Wright has been selected the February 2026 Student of the Month for Outstanding Achievement in Vocational/CTE.

Olivia was nominated by her teacher Mark Sablan who shared this narrative:

Olivia has done so much to get our Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) program started this year. She has attended every event in our community and even qualified for the state competition in her respective category. Our Career Technical Student Organization (CTSO) has done great things in large part because of her many contributions. She is also meticulous in class, always hovering near 100%. Her work ethic is second-to-none.

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Desert Edge High School January 2026 SOM

Desert Edge High School Senior Samara Doversola-Williams has been selected the January 2026 Student of the Month for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Science.

Samara was nominated by her teacher Ms. Sharleen Nunez, who shared this narrative:

The Science Department is proud to nominate Samara Doversola-Williams for Student of the Month in Science. She pushed herself academically by taking on Biology, Honors Physics, AP Physics, and AP Environmental Science. This is a challenging course load that shows her genuine passion for science. Beyond her classes, she served as the Robotics Club President as a sophomore, leading her peers while juggling all her other commitments. What makes her stand out isn't just her love of learning, but how hardworking and considerate she is with everyone around her, all while staying active in badminton and tennis. She brings enthusiasm and kindness to everything she does, whether it's a tough physics problem, a robotics project, or supporting her teammates. Her dedication to academics, leadership in robotics, involvement in athletics, and thoughtful character make her an excellent choice for this recognition.

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Desert Edge High School December 2025 SOM

Desert Edge Senior Anevay Jones has been selected the December 2025 December Student of the Month for Outstanding Achievement in Overcoming Adversity.

Anevay was nominated by her teacher Mr. Arnold Baratz who shared the following narrative:

This recognition honors students who demonstrate exceptional resilience, strength, and determination in the face of personal challenges. Anevay has shown incredible perseverance during a difficult time, remaining committed to her education and returning to school as a fully engaged and successful student.

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Millennium High School November 2025 SOM

Millennium Senior Danielle Grumbling has been selected the November 2025 Student of the Month for Outstanding Achievement in Community Outreach.

Danielle was nominated by her teacher Mrs. Amy Alek who shared this narrative:

Danielle is an integral member of MHS Key Club! She has been the blood drive chair for two years, even earning first place for her work for the HS Blood Drive challenge - division winners. She has successfully hosted 4 drives at Millennium where she always exceeded Vitalant's goals. She encourages students to donate, promotes the drives through announcements, social media, and classroom visits, reaches out to Chick-Fil-A (so all donors receive free sandwich/nuggets cards), and food services, so Key Club has food at the event. She single-handedly enters all info into the Vitalant portal, so students have appointments and the event is organized. She has developed a well-oiled life-saving event. She is directly responsible for our success in this life-saving and important event!

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Rotary FriendsDay together raises money for DPIL

A huge thank you to GYPC Rotary member LuLu, and her husband Gil, for hosting last night’s Friendsgiving event to benefit the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) program. It was an amazing evening where we raised over $2,000. Earlier this week we received a $2,500 check from the Verrado Rotary Foundation for DPIL.

Thanks to all of you who have donated. And if you haven’t been able to donate to this amazing program, you still can. Make your checks out to GYPC Rotary Foundation and mail to: GYPC Rotary Foundation, 14175 W Indian School Road, STE B4, Box 219, Goodyear, AZ 85395.

Presentations on the Rotary Foundation and Talk on Wills and Trusts.

Guest speaker Laura Mello presented the various options for Rotary Foundation giving and major gifts. Laura provided detailed explanations of various types of Rotary Foundation gifts, including directive gifts, endowment funds, and estate planning considerations. Her presentation was comprehensive and well-received by the members.

Kristyn Meulenberg, wife of our past-president Alden, then continued the estate planning conversation with a discussion about Trusts vs. Wills. We gained new insights and information on these topics.

GYPC Rotary at AFSD Performing Arts School Gala

Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Club members attend Agua Fria Union High School District Gala with fellow Rotarian Superintendent Mark Yslas (pictured third from left). The Gala was held to raise funds for the new Fine Arts Academy & Performing Arts Center located in Litchfield Park. The Hilltop School for the Arts will open its doors in August 2026 with grades 9-12.

A New Little Library

Rotary Club of Goodyear PebbleCreek thanks Goodyear City Councilwoman for her generous support for early Literacy. Another Rotary lending library was opened because of her support! Much gratitude to Councilwoman Gillis.

Desert Edge High School October 2025 SOM

Desert Edge Senior Violet Farinella has been selected the October 2025 Student of the Month for Outstanding Leadership in Fine Arts.

Violet was nominated by her teacher Mrs. Saldana who shared this narrative:

Violet Farinella is a member and captain of the Marching Scorpions Colorguard. She has been involved in guard all four years of high school and also takes additional band courses. Violet is an outstanding leader. She is not only dedicated to her craft but makes it a point to be inclusive to all on her team. She strives to be better than she was yesterday, and that mentality bleeds out to the rest of the team. The program is lucky to have her talents, hard work, and personality.

Click here to access more Students of the Month

Millennium High School October 2025 SOM

Millennium High School Senior Juliette Gonzales has been selected the October 2025 Student of the Month for Outstanding Achievement in Fine Arts.

Juliette was nominated by her teacher Ms. Gabbert, who shared this narrative:

Juliette “Jojo” Gonzales is an outstanding leader and contributor to Millennium High School’s performing arts community. She serves as a leader of the marching band, stage manager for numerous theatre productions, lead prop designer and maker for numerous productions and fright nights, and a dedicated leader within Drama Club. In Live Entertainment Productions (Stagecraft), Jojo exemplifies initiative, responsibility, and creativity, consistently setting a high standard for her peers. Jojo's leadership is matched by her ability to foster a positive and collaborative environment; she energizes those around her and provides encouragement through her humor and uplifting spirit. Jojo’s commitment, reliability, and passion for the arts have had a lasting impact on both her peers and the success of Millennium’s performing arts programs.

Click here to access more Students of the Month

Goodyear Pebble Creek Tour of West-MEC South West

Members of the Rotary Club of Goodyear PebbleCreek participated in a site tour of West-MEC Southwest Campus. Superintendent Dr. Scott Spurgeon, and his staff, gave the group a presentation on West-MEC campuses located on the Westside of Maricopa County and a description of the role, programs, and partners of West-MEC. A tour of the facility included a walk-through of some of the programs that offer students certifications upon completion of their program. Several of the program areas included a walk-through with students demonstrating what they had learned.

Many of the programs included equipment and materials donated from the businesses that employ students when they graduate.

Project ID presents at Rotary Meeting

In this week's Rotary Club meeting, we had a presentation from Project. I.D. The I.D.Project is an organization that helps homeless and incarcerated people get official Ids. Rick Mitchell and Tracy White, from I.D. Project described many of the scenarios where the homeless need IDs for services or to find work. Project I.D. empowers homeless individuals to rebuild their lives by providing a critical first step.

Project I.D. supports the homeless at their Phoenix office (206 S. 12th Ave) and also through a mobile service.

This non-profit funds its services through donations, grants, and the AZ Tax Credit.

Desert Edge High School September 2025 Student of the Month

Desert Edge student Kodee Barker has been selected the September 2025 Student of the Month for Outstanding Achievement in Leadership.

Kodee was nominated by her teacher Mrs. Silvia who shared this narrative:

Senior Kodee Barker is the President of our FFA chapter. She is an inspiring leader on campus who collaborates with our members as well as other students on campus. Throughout her high school career, she has competed on several teams in FFA such as Forestry, Agriculture Mechanics and Agriculture Communications which her team won 1st place in the state at the 2024 FFA Summer Leadership Conference. Kodee's most recent project is raising meat goats for the county fair which allows her to gain leadership and entrepreneurship skills. We couldn't be more proud of her accomplishments!

Millennium High School September 2025 Student of the Month

Millennium student Ashlee Park has been selected as the September 2025 Student of the Month for Outstanding Achievement in Leadership.

Ashlee was nominated by her teacher Mr. Kip Nettles, who shared this narrative:

Ashlee Park took over the leadership of my Robotics club in the last few months of her Freshman year. She planned trips and meetings for our club over the summer. Ashlee led a workshop about robotics and our club at the Litchfield Library. She is a consistent leader in her classes, helping those around her perform and understand better. Ashlee, now a Sophomore, leads like an upperclassman. Ashlee is also the VP of the writing club and has a 4.5 GPA

Holiday Food and Book Box Distribution 2025

On Saturday, December 20th, the Goodyear Pebblecreek Rotary Club packed and delivered 90 Food Boxes for needy families that were identified by the Avondale and Litchfield school districts. This is an annual event, and yesterday we had about 40 volunteers from our Rotary Club, Avondale School District, Litchfield School District, Rotoract Club, Avondale Toyota, and Microsoft. We met at the Target store at 7:30 am, packed the boxes, and loaded the cars for delivery. Each team delivered between 3 boxes and 5 boxes directly to the families. They also delivered a book for each child.

Goodyear Rotary get tour of Goodyear HS

Principal Jason Linn gave the Goodyear Pebble Creek Rotary a tour of the newest Agua Fria HS District facility. The Goodyear High School campus has just freshmen this year, but is planning for three Academy Programs (Creative Arts& Media, Business, Design & Technology, Science, Service & Innovation). It also has a full schedule of Fall athletic programs. Go Mavericks!

Rotary
Club Honors Students

ROTARY CLUB OF GOODYEAR PEBBLECREEK HONORS STUDENTS

The Rotary Club of Goodyear PebbleCreek recognized and celebrated 16 students from the Agua Fria Union High School District for Outstanding Excellence of Achievement in the 2024-2025 school year. Superintendent Mark Yslas selected Millennium (M) and Desert Edge (DE) High Schools as the recipients of the awards. Rotary Youth Services Chair, Karen Gimse, worked together with advisors Carissa Harvey (M) and Colleen Koblinski (DE) to present awards monthly to students that excelled in a variety of subject and service areas. Students were nominated by their teachers and one student from each school was selected in the category for that particular month.

A culminating reception was held in their honor on April 23, 2025 at the district office. Parents and nominating teachers were in attendance to join the students in meeting their fellow recipients. September Leadership awards went to Madison Mendoza (M) and Agasne Bragado (DE). October Music awards went to Julia Goto (M) and Ilker Aguilar (DE). November Community Outreach awards went to Erin Ortiz (M) and Delissia Fierro (DE). December Overcoming Adversity awards went to Samantha Kramer (M) and Travion Dixson (DE). January Science awards went to Kyle Van Patton (M) and Autumn Shanahan (DE). February CTE/VOC awards went to Ashley Zaragoza (M) and Gianna Craycroft (DE). March Fine Arts awards went to Lola Roseland (M) and Brielle Garcia (DE). April Academic Excellence awards went to Nicholas Lee (M) and Kordillia Bailey (DE).

In addition to receiving the award, each student has a Watts of Love solar light donated in their name to a recipient in Kenya. Watts of Love is a non-profit organization that provides vulnerable communities with solar lights and a financial literacy program that empowers families to break out of poverty. These outstanding “star” students are already letting their light “shine in darkness”!

To learn more about the solar light program you can visit www.//wattsoflove.org. The Rotary Club of Goodyear PebbleCreek https://www.goodyearrotary.org/ meets every Wednesday morning (September – June) at 7:00 am at Eagles Nest. Visitors and Rotarians are always welcome.

Rotary FY 25/26 Induction of Officers

Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Club Induction of Officers for FY 25-26

The Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Club held their annual induction ceremony on May 7th. The Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Club celebrated and honored club officers for their year of service. Honored were Mary Kay Utecht, President; Letha Zook, Secretary; Lulu Zamora, Treasurer and Avenues of Service Chairs Betsy Hargrove, Karen Gimse, Colleen Malany, Alden Meulenberg, Linda Babcock and Julie Frentz.

Inducted as new officers were Jim Frey, President; Letha Zook, Secretary; Lulu Zamora, Treasurer and Avenues of Service Chairs Barbara MacFarlane, Mary Kay Utecht, Charlie Miller, Linda Babcock and Letha Zook. District 5495 Governor Jim Schmidt swore in all new officers and chairs.

The evening events also included recognizing six Paul Harris Fellows. A Paul Harris Fellow is a Rotarian recognized for donating $1,000 to Rotary International. A Rotarian can become a Paul Harris Fellow through donations they made or they can use their donation points to honor or support a fellow Rotarian. The following Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotarians received Paul Harris recognition: Jim Frey, Julie Frentz, Karen Gisme, Mary Kay Utecht, Alden Muelenberg and Bernie Kagen.

It was a wonderful celebration of the past and present members of the Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Club. In attendance were their six past presidents!

The Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Club serves the West Valley by supporting West Valley schools and promoting community service programs and non-profit agencies in the West Valley. They meet weekly at 7:00 a.m. at the PebbleCreek Eagles Nest Clubhouse and everyone is welcome to attend on Wednesdays through June. They will be on summer break until the first Wednesday in September.

Rotary PebbleCreek Food Drive Successful!

The Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary would like to thank all PebbleCreek residents for contributing to the April 22 – 29 Food Drive. Over 930 pounds of food items were collected at our 3 collection sites: Tuscany Club House, Eagles Nest Club House and Kare Bears. All items were donated to the Agua Fria Food & Clothing Bank, who expressed their sincere gratitude. The Agua Fria Food & Clothing Bank supports families in the West Valley and welcomes donations of food, clothing or cash throughout the year. Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Club is grateful to PebbleCreek residents for helping us support the Agua Fria Food & Clothing Bank.

MIlennium Student of the Month April

Millennium High School selects 11th grader Nicholas Lee for Outstanding Achievement in Academic Excellence.

Nicholas was nominated by his teacher David Wirth with the following narrative:

"It is with great pride that we nominate Nicholas Lee for The Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Club Student of the Month in the category of Academic Excellence. Nicholas, currently an 11th-grade student, is on track to graduate early—a testament to his exceptional work ethic, dedication, and commitment to rigorous coursework. Most recently, he earned 2nd place in the Arizona Science Fair, showcasing not only his academic talent but also his passion for scientific inquiry and innovation. Teachers consistently praise Nick as an incredibly intelligent, driven, and gifted student who stands out among his peers. His accomplishments and character make him truly deserving of this recognition."

Desert Edge Student of the Month April

Desert Edge High School selects 12th grader Kordillia Bailey for Outstanding Achievement in Academic Excellence.

Kordillia was nominated by her teacher Mr. Bryce Wright, with this narrative:

Kordillia Bailey has demonstrated exceptional academic dedication throughout her high school career, maintaining a 4.0 GPA—or close to it—since beginning her studies at Desert Edge in her sophomore year. According to her English teacher, Miss Gergus, Kordillia is "one of the brightest students" she has ever had the pleasure of teaching. Kordillia takes her education seriously, consistently choosing to enroll in rigorous courses that go above and beyond standard expectations.

Kordillia's drive, discipline, and intellectual curiosity set her apart from her peers. She is on track to graduate near the top of her class and is undoubtedly deserving of recognition for her outstanding academic achievements. Kordillia is a student with limitless potential and will excel in whatever path she pursues.

David Simmer visits from Rotary International

Today, the Rotary Club of Goodyear Pebblecreek had an inspiring presentation by David Zimmer on the workings of Rotary International. We were all reminded of the many tears of commitment that Rotary International has in providing service in every corner of the world. From Polio Irradiation to clean water projects to providing solar lighting in Africa, Rotary is the hands and hearts of many of those projects. It is through our service to the international communities that Rotary provides a "heavy lift" with peacekeeping through acts of service. Thank you, David, for that inspiring reminder of the extent of our work and service.

Desert Edge March Student of the Month

Desert Edge student Brielle Garcia has been selected the March 2025 Student of the Month for Outstanding Achievement in Fine Arts.

Brielle was nominated by her teacher Mr. Ryan Williams who shared this narrative:

Brielle Garcia completed AP Studio Art and passed as a sophomore, completed a paid summer internship with a professional artist from Tucson, has art installed at the new Goodyear Fire Station, attended Maine School of Arts and Design for summer camp, and represented DE at the annual Shemer Art Center Valley High School Exhibition. She is a dynamic artist. She draws, paints, and sculpts at a professional level. Her creativity level is exceptional. If you need a problem solved, go to Brielle.

Visit by District Governor Michelle Holcomb

District Governor Michelle Holcomb emphasized refocusing on business networking to drive membership growth

District Governor's Address:

Rotary is about business.

District Governor encouraged the following:

Inviting local business owners to meetings to share with them the networking
possibilities to drive membership growth.
Have members regularly share about their professions during club meetings
Encouraged clubs to invite 1-2 local business owners to each meeting
Promoted Rotary license plate program ($17 of $25 fee goes to district)
Requested all members add photos to club database for better connections
Reminded about upcoming District Conference on May 2 and 3, 2025.

Millennium March Student of the Month

Millennium High School 11th Grader Lola Roseland has been selected the March Rotarian recipient for Outstanding Achievement in Fine Arts.

Lola was nominated by 2 teachers, Ms. Carrie Gabbert and Abigail Eckert, with these narratives:

"Lola Roseland is an extremely accomplished arts student. She is dedicated to singing with Millennium Voices and leading her section, they received a Superior rating this year. Many people look up to her gorgeous voice and musicianship. She is starring in the school musical, Mean Girls, as the lead Regina George. She is a theater officer and has worked with marketing for the musical, and leading the cast of Fright Night in October. She continues to have a rigorous academic schedule with all IB & AP classes on top of everything and has straight A's. I would love for her to be recognized for her hard work and dedication to both academics and the arts. " Ms. Abigail Eckert

"Lola is such a team player and leader in Theatre. She is treasurer of Drama Club/Thespians and a lead (Regina George) in Mean Girls. She is always the first person to help out another and bring excitement and energy to class and rehearsals. Not only is she such a lovely person, but also extremely talented. This year she has gotten a Superior Rating at the Thespy competition that qualifies her for the national competition for both her solo event and duet event. She brings passion to everything she does." Ms. Carrie Gabbert

AFHSD - Performing Arts High School

The Rotary Club of Goodyear Pebblecreek was pleased to welcome Julie Jones, Megan Griego and Mark Yslas to our club meeting. The team from Agua Fria Union High School District were visiting to share the good news about our new performing arts high school and our new performance arts theatre. As of March 5th, the new school has a name, "The Hilltop School of the Arts." The school will be next door to the performing arts theatre and will be an intergal part of the students' education. The auditoriumn will become a place where quality performances will come to the west valley, elminating the need to drive long distances for plays, music or lectures. The project will break ground in May and will open August 2027. The school will start with an enrollment of 400 students and the auditoriumn will seat 700.

Both venues will be a welcome addition to our communties.

Senior to Senior - Read Across America

Read Across America Day - March 5th 2025

"Read Across America Day" is one of the favorite Senior 2 Senior activities of the year. Today, in celebration of Dr. Suess, sixty community Seniors and high school seniors stopped by Elsieo Felix Elementary School to share stories and read with the elementary students.

For most high school students, it was their first trip back to an elementary school. They were nervous but quickly found how excited the elementary students were to spend time with them. It was a great experience for our high schoolers as well as the adults.

Our pictures from today's activities, lets everyone know how truly special this day of reading has become. Never underestimate the power of stories to change people's lives.

Thank you to the staff at Elsieo FelixElementary School for being such a great host and for sharing your students with us.

Thank you to all who participated today and for supporting the Rotary Club of Goodyear Pebblecreek's in its literacy initiatives.

Millennium February Student of the Month

Millennium High School selects 10th grader Ashley Zaragoza for Outstanding Achievement in CTE/VOC for her work in our Live Entertainment Productions (Stagecraft) class.

Ashley was nominated by her teacher Ms. Carrie Gabbert who, as well as some of her other teachers, wrote:

"Ashley Zaragoza is a sophomore student who is very active in the Millennium Community. She is the President of our CTSO Stagecraft Squad. She is always up for a challenge and spreads positivity through class and rehearsal. She is always thinking ahead and helps those around her. In addition to being President of our CTSO Stagecraft Squad, she is also assistant stage manager of Mean Girls, and managed the Swim Team this year. Even though I have only had her in class this year, I know she is always up for a challenge and spreads positivity through each class and rehearsal. She is always thinking ahead by thinking of solutions to potential problems- such as creating prop lists without being asked during our read through. She is also passionate about Live Entertainment Productions (Stagecraft) and has been recruiting students from all around campus to help build sets and props for the show."

Desert Edge February Student of the Month

Desert Edge High School selects 12th grader Gianna Craycroft for Outstanding Achievement in CTE/VOC.

Gianna was nominated by her teacher Ms. Goebel, who wrote about Gianna:

I am thrilled to recommend Gianna Craycroft for CTE Student of the Month for Leadership. As Vice President of FBLA, she exemplifies dedication, initiative, and a strong commitment to professional growth. Her passion for graphic design is evident not only in her coursework but also in her real-world experience—she currently works as a graphic design intern and takes on freelance projects in her free time. Her ability to balance leadership responsibilities with hands-on industry experience showcases her drive and readiness to excel in the field after high school. Gianna is a true leader who inspires her peers and represents the values of CTE with excellence.

Superpbowl 2024 Pool

The build up to the SuperBowl is always such a fun time for sports fans. This year The Rotary Club of Goodyear Pebblecreek joined the fun and ran their own Super Bowl Pool. The last quarter of the game saw three changes to who could possibly win the money. But at the end of the day our lucky winners are Gary Lucas and Denny Buchanan. Each of them celebrated by being $250.00 richer than when the game began.

Congrats to the Philadelphia players and all the "Bird" fans. It was a great game and we had a lot of fun watching who was going to win the money. Also,The Rotary Club of Goodyear Pebblecreek wants to thank everyone who paid their dollars to join the pool and support the service work of our Rotary. Much appreciated!

8th Annual Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Foundation
Golf Tournament & Ball Drop

8^th Annual Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Foundation Golf Tournament and Ball Drop

ARE YOU READY?….The sun is shining, the sky is powder blue, the palm trees are swaying in the distance and you are standing with friends and business associates ready to tee off!

2025 Rotary Golf Tournament Signup Form (PDF)

Desert Edge January Student of the Month

Desert Edge High School selects 12th grader Autumn Shanahan to receive the Outstanding Achievement Award in Science.

Autumn was nominated by her Science teacher Mr. Carroll:

I would like to nominate Autumn Shanahan. She has excelled in all science classes that she has taken including AP. What makes her even more special is her passion for science and sustainability. She has a wealth of information that she has learned in and outside of school. During class, she has great insight and wonderful questions. I have learned some things by listening to her answers. One of her areas of interest is in Agricultural Science. She has been involved in Agricultural Sciences since her freshman year, been involved in FFA and has competed in the state competitions. She has taken on projects outside the classroom such as her black soldier fly larvae feeding system. This is where food scraps that would normally be thrown away can be given to black soldier fly larvae and then those larvae can be fed to chicken hens. This will turn waste into food for humans. Autumn is a model student and a human being in general. Having her here at DE has been great for our school and everyone around her.

Millennium January Student of the Month

Millennium High School selects 9th grader Kyle Van Patton to receive the Outstanding Achievement Award in Science.

Kyle was nominated by Science teacher, Mr. Nettles:

It is with great enthusiasm that the science department nominates Kyle Van Patton. As a 9th grader, Kyle has already distinguished himself through his exceptional mechanical skills and leadership abilities. A key member of the school’s robotics club, Kyle has taken on a leadership role, guiding his peers in designing and constructing innovative robotic systems. His dedication, problem-solving mindset, and ability to collaborate effectively have made a significant impact on the success of the club's projects. Kyle's enthusiasm for learning and his willingness to mentor others reflect his strong character and commitment to excellence. He is not only a talented individual but also an inspiring role model for his peers. Kyle's contributions to our school community make him a deserving recipient of this honor.

Rotarians today got a lessons on Dementia

Rotarians today got a lesson on what it is like to be a person with Dementia. Each of us was asked to dull our senses and complete some very simple tasks that each of us do daily with ease. But to heighten our empathy for the patients, we wore gloves, fought through static to hear, and wore dark glasses that distorted our vision and blocked our peripheral vision. Those everyday tasks, like putting on a shirt, were very difficult. Thus, our understanding levels for those suffering from dementia were heightened. Thank you, Helena Morgan, from Hospice of the Valley, for sharing your expertise and experience with us. Our great lesson....to help avoid dementia is 30 minutes of exercise daily and keep socially engaged to help prevent the onset of this disease. So join all Rotarians and get moving!

December Rotary Inductees

On December 18, 2024, the Rotary Club of Goodyear PebbleCreek welcomed William Marcum, Jr. (Bill) and R. Gregg Mitchell as new members.

Bill is a long time Rotarian, having initially joined in 1988 in Albany,Oregon. His most recent club was in Longview, Washington, Longview Early Edition Rotary Club. Bill’s classification is Newspaper Publisher and he is a Paul Harris Fellow. He and his wife Brenda moved to PebbleCreek from Longview, Washington and look forward to serving
our community through Rotary.

Gregg initially joined Rotary in 1983 with the Rotary Club of Millard Omaha.Gregg’s classification is Real Estate Appraiser. Gregg and his wife Donna moved to Goodyear, Arizona from Omaha and his membership is being transferred from Nebraska. Gregg is a Paul Harris Fellow and is looking forward to the many activities our club has to offer the community.

Rotary 2024 Holiday Food Boxes

On Dec.14th, The Rotary Club of Goodyear Pebblecreek, with friends from Avondale Toyota and Microsoft, loaded 80 food boxes with everything a family would need for a Christmas dinner. Rotary partners with Target on Yuma to ensure a good meal is available to those in need.

This activity happens because of the passion of Rotarian Charlie Miller. Charlie writes a grant that doubles our budget allowing us to reach 80 families. He works with Target employees to stretch the dollar as much as possible. He gathers his fellow Rotarians to pack the food boxes and gets them delivered to the doorsteps of the families! Thank you Charlie for your leadership and dedication to this important Rotary project.

Millennium December Student of the Month

Millennium High School selects 11th grader Samantha Kramer to receive the Outstanding Achievement Award for Overcoming Adversity. She is currently on homebound instruction due to a medical condition that she is battling.

Samantha was nominated by three of her teachers:

Samantha has always shown exemplary work and a caring heart for others in need. Amidst her brief absence from school, she has continued to try to complete her work and strive towards excellence. Millennium is a better place because of students just like Samantha."--Mr. Sablan

She is a very intelligent and sweet young lady, that in spite of what life has thrown at her, she still has a positive attitude and smile.--Mrs. George

Sam shows exemplary follow-through, not only with her grades, but with her conceptual understanding. She is a disciplined learner who will achieve great results. I'm excited for her future!--Mrs. Wright.

Desert Edge December Student of the Month

Desert Edge High School selects 11th grader Travion Dixson to receive the Outstanding Achievement Award in Overcoming Adversity.

Travion was nominated by his football coach, Mr. Bryce Wright, who shared the following story:

Travion recently lost his mother who he was very close with. Most 16-17 year olds would struggle mightily with a loss of this magnitude and some may even give up on prior commitments. On top of that, Travion has not had the football season he may have predicted; however, he has shown up every single day ready to work and get better at his craft as a receiver. I truly admire the strength he has exhibited and his ability to show up consistently with the same effort each day. Travion has been a pivotal part of the football team and that is a testament to his willingness to battle through adversity.

Join Us for the Rotary Pebble Creek Rotary Casino Night

Click Here for More Info and to Buy Tickets

Rotary Club of Goodyear Pebblecreek hosts renowned chef Kevin Barko

Today the Rotary Club of Goodyear Pebblecreek hosted the renowned chef Kevin Barko of Meals of Joy and owner of Heritage Street Cooks. Kevin gave us a lively presentation on cooking an outstanding turkey while telling stories about kitchens across the country and famous TV chefs. According to Kevin, the kitchens of today are nothing like what we see on TV. The goal of kitchens today is one of mutual respect and support. Today's chefs want a happy kitchen with engaged and calm workers. Sounds like good advice for any employer today!

Thank you Chef Kevin for the wonderful presentation and the encouraging words you left for our young readers. Our club is donating a children's book in Kevin's name to our Rotary Lending Libraries. The message he left for our readers is good for all of us. Kevin wrote,"Remember the more you read, the more you will learn." So keep reading and keep cooking!

Millennium November Student of the Month

Millennium High School selects 12th Grader Erin Ortiz to receive the Outstanding Achievement Award for Community Outreach.

Erin was nominated by Mrs. Jennifer Grumbling with the following narrative:

Erin Ortiz goes above and beyond to serve Millennium High School and our surrounding community. As Key Club President, she oversees 120 club members to make sure that the environment is inclusive and that all members are involved, engaged, and appreciated. Erin works tirelessly to lead the club and organize weekly club meetings. She spends countless hours recruiting club members to serve in events such as the mobile food pantry, Goodyear Make a Difference Day, and a handful of trunk or treat events, to name a few. Erin gets things done. For example, the Rotary Club of Goodyear PebbleCreek reached out to Millennium to have students participate in the Purple Pinkie Polio Project in recognition of World Polio Day on October 24th. Erin single-handedly organized and promoted two events to raise money for the Rotary. On October 23rd, Erin was out at lunches with a team of students and Senior to Senior community members to collect money and paint pinkies. On October 24th, Erin raised money at lunches with a handful of students by holding Teacher Pie in the Face competition. She even bought the whipped cream and pie tins with her own money, and I hear that she donated $50 towards her Physics teacher, the wonderful Mr. Wirth. In two days, Erin (and the Millennium Key Club) raised over $300 to help eradicate polio. For both days, Millennium students donated during lunches while learning about the need for polio eradication and getting involved in giving back to the world. Erin successfully rallied the Millennium students to get them enthusiastic about donating for this cause and to have fun while doing it. This is not an easy task. Great job Erin! Millennium is proud of you!

Desert Edge November Student of the Month

Desert Edge High School selects 12th Grader Delissia "Dee Dee" Fierro to receive the Outstanding Achievement Award for Community Outreach.

Erin was nominated by her art teacher, Mr. Ryan Williams, with the following narrative:

It’s my pleasure to recommend Delissia Fierro, a student whose dedication to community and leadership shines through in everything she does. As an Academy Ambassador, she guides new freshmen with care, helping them transition smoothly and ensuring they feel supported. Beyond mentorship, she collaborates with local businesses to secure funding and promote our school, showing her initiative and commitment to the community. Delissia’s passion extends to her involvement in clubs like Theater, Culture Club, Film & TV, and Student Government. Her presence is uplifting, and her involvement is key to making our school a welcoming, connected environment. Through the Senior to Senior program, she fosters bonds with local senior citizens, bringing joy and engagement across generations.

As President of the Art Club, Delissia leads with thoughtfulness, creating an inclusive space for students and building connections with the larger community. She played a vital role in the DE Colors Concert, coordinating the art section and collaborating with other groups to make the event a success. Her volunteerism also includes impactful initiatives beyond campus, such as participating in Feed My Starving Children and teaching ceramics at Pebble Creek Community. Delissia’s character is best exemplified by her self-funded pumpkin-carving activity for our medically fragile students, which showed her generosity and care for those around her. She is a standout leader who embodies the spirit of service and compassion, and I wholeheartedly recommend her for any opportunity that lets her strengths shine.

Verrado Rotary Donates to DIPL

The Verrado Rotary Foundation presented Jim Frey with a $2,500 check to be used to pay for the books being mailed from the Dollywood Foundation to the 450 children in the DPIL program that live in Buckeye. Shown in the picture are Doug Bredow on the left, Verrado Rotary Foundation president and Holly Knaut, Verrado Rotary Club president.

Senior to Senior Football Outing

On Friday, our Rotarians and Senior to Senior group were hosted as VIP's at the Canyon View High School Football game. We dined in the end zone of the football stadium and watched the most beautiful sunset over the White Tank Mountains. In addition, we were asked to be part of the "coin toss" to start the game.

Active Rotarians for Our Coin Toss Team were Betsy Hardrgrove who is currently the Superintendent for Avondale Elementary District. Joining her was Mark Yslas, Supt. for Agua Fria High School District, and Carter Davidson the Superintendent for Litchfield Elementary School District. And the lucky person flipping the coin was, Mary Kay Utecht, President of Goodyear Pebblecreek Rotary. We had a great turnout for this event. I think everyone had a wonderful evening of football and fellowship. Fun and friendship is the other "Business of Rotary" while we provide needed service to our communities.

For those of you who have not joined in the Rotary fun, come visit us as do business every Wednesday morning at 7:00am at Eagles Nest. You will see our sign welcoming you to join our group.

If you have any questions, call Linda Babcock 602.770.3924. She is the Membership chair for the Rotary Club of Goodyear Pebblecreek.

Paint the Pinkie for Polio

We started last week at the "Paint the Pinkie" event with our students at Verrado High School and Millennium High School. Students were raising money and awareness for Polio Plus. Most of this generation knows little about the ravages of polio suffered by the preceding generations. It was a good opportunity to inform the students of the work Rotary International is doing around the world to eradicate polio. Verrado students held their event in conjunction with their homecoming activities. They were able to "Paint the Pinky' of around 100 of their classmates. MHS held their event the following Wednesday followed by a "Pie in the Face of the Principal for Polio." We are so thankful to these high school students for their leadership and support to spread the word regarding polio.

New Rotary Members for October 2024

The strength of every Rotary club is determined by its members who are the people who do service for their communities. The Rotary Club of Goodyear Pebblecreek increased its strength with the addition of two members. We are happy to Welcome Becky Marrer and Kare Fiorenza as new members to our

club.

Karen is a resident of Pebblecreek and is active with many activities in Pebblecreek. She was sponsored by Colleen Mallany and I bet they met on the pickleball courts. Karen is a former Infant Welfare professional from Chicago. We are so happy she decided to leave the snow and join us in the sunshine. Karen's former career makes being a Youth Service Committee member a natural. However, she has
also been tapped to serve with The Vocational Avenue of Service as well.

Becky Marrer is a transplant from the East Coast and spent many years in Glendale, AZ. During that time, she helped raise two daughters and worked as a social worker (MSW) for UMOM, Faith House as well as for a elementary west side school district. A Becky was an adjunct faculty at Glendale Community College and is currently a Faculty Associate at the ASU School of Socialwork.

Becky is a quiet leader who just gets it done without a lot of notice. She will be an outstanding Rotarian. Becky completes the Marrer family of Rotarians serving alongside her husband Gary.

We are so happy to have these dedicated ladies as part of our group! We are looking forward to serving with you! Service above self.

Millennium October Student of the Month

Julia Goto, 12th grader, is our October recipient, and was nominated by Ms. Gabbert (theater teacher) and Ms. Eckert (choir teacher) in the area of Music:

Senior student Julia Goto is a leader in Drama Club as vice president and is a leader in her theatre classes as well. She always has a smile on her face and contributes to the positive energy of the class. She is also very skilled in theatre and is a part of many other clubs across campus including Choir, Senior to Senior and others. Julia has been a dedicated singer throughout her time here at MHS. Julia has been a soprano section leader, lead roles as Matilda in Matilda & Alice in the Addams Family in the spring musicals, and made it into choir regionals last year as a soprano. Only 25 students are chosen for each voice part in the West Valley! Julia also composed her own music, and premiered one of her songs at our choir concert last year. It is now on Spotify for anyone to stream! On top of being a wonderful singer, she always has a positive attitude and is willing to step up into any leadership role we need in choir.

Desert Edge October Student of the Month

By teacher Denise Royal from Desert Edge High School:

I would like to nominate ILKER AGUILAR for the Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary student for October: MUSIC. Not only does Ilker excel in his Academics, but he also enjoys being a part of Marching Band & Thespian Troupe #6843. One can often find Ilker filling the halls of DEHS with music playing various instruments from flutes to clarinets as well as singing. During a summer excursion to Japan with other students this year, Ilker even sought out a traditional Japanese flute which he purchased and has been perfecting ever since. Though Ilker initially struggled to connect with others as a freshman, his time at Desert Edge has helped him discover how to use music to engage and express himself, culminating in his senior year where his voice now resonates with those around him.

Recognition of ACE hardware

Jim Frey presented Maria Leopard, Store Manager of Karsten’s Ace Hardware, a certificate of appreciation for the generous donations they have made to our Dolly Parton Imagination Library program. We have been the recipient of their Round Up Your Change program for three separate months and each time we have received over $2,000. And they are also a sponsor of our annual golf tournament. We encourage all of our Rotary members to shop at Karsten’s Ace Hardware and thank them for their support.

Millenniun September Student of the Month

September's Millennium Student of the Month is 11th grader Madison Mendoza. Here is the short narrative from her Spanish teacher, Mr. Davenport:

"Madison Mendoza is a leader in multiple contexts who holds both herself and her peers to high expectations. She is a leader on the mat as a cheerleader, where she serves as captain. Leading by example, Madi pushes herself to grow and get better every single day, and pushes her teammates to do the same. In the classroom, Madi is a leader, where she gathers primarily As and Bs. She holds herself accountable for performing well in her classes, and assists others as well to help them also reach their goals in class. In fact, she is a huge help to her classmates, teachers, coaches and teammates. Madi is always asking how she can help, steps in when a voice is needed, and is a willing volunteer to ensure the success of her class or her team. She also offers great ideas. She is not afraid to take on multiple responsibilities either, also serving as a club leader in MHS' Hype Squad. Madi's dedication trickles down to others, which makes her such an effective leader and model for others to follow."

Click here to access more Students of the Month

Desert Edge Sept. Student of the Month

September Student of the Month for Desert Edge High School in recognition of Outstanding Leadership - Agasne Bragado

Here is what her Art teacher, Mr Anthony Galto shared:

"I would like to nominate Agasne Bragado for leadership recognition. Agasne demonstrated outstanding leadership throughout the summer while collaborating with the City of Goodyear’s Community Engagement Office within the Mayor’s Office. She played a pivotal role in designing the city’s "Topics on the Move" vehicle wrap, leading the project from its inception to successful completion. Her dedication and consistency not only drove the project forward but also strengthened our relationship with one of our most valuable stakeholders. This remarkable achievement deserves to be celebrated."

Click here to access more GYPC Students of the Month

Watts of Love

Nearly 1 billion people around the world are without electricity and live in darkness. They spend up to 30% of their income on dangerous fuel sources just to have light, and it keeps them in a cycle of poverty.

It leaves them powerless.

BUT SOLAR LIGHT BREAKS THAT CYCLE

Access to solar lighting eliminates the need for a costly fuel source and offers immediate savings.

Solar lighting also means people can continue daily activities after dark, which directly impacts household income, safety, and overall health.

Solar light starts people on the pathway to prosperity.

Giving light to educate & empower

Rotary Club or Goodyear Pebble Creek thanks Sun Health

Jim Frey presented Megan Word, Sun Health VP Marketing & Communications, a certificate of appreciation for their many years of sponsoring the Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Foundation golf tournaments.

GYPC Little Lending Library Update

Many thanks to Tobias Holf and Tasha Austin of PMG Labels for printing the labels that will go on the 11 Little Lending Libraries being placed around the West Valley.

The first Little Lending Library is by State Representative Mariana Sandoval’s house in Goodyear. All the Little Lending Libraries will have both children and adult books .

Over 600 books have been collected so far for this project.

Presentation to MIcrosoft

On behalf of the Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary, Rotarian Jim Frey presented a certificate of appreciation to Adonis Trujillo of the Microsoft Corp. Microsoft has been a continuous supporter of Dolly Parton Imagination Library over the years. Microsoft allows our ROTARY club to pay for children birth to five, to receive a new book each month. Presently, we are supporting 1600 children and Microsoft has been a generous partner in this endeavor. Together we are spreading the message of literacy importance. Thank you Adonis Trujillo and Microsoft as we continue to spread story, words and print to our youngest learners. We appreciate you and your help!

2023/24 Senior to Senior Program Video

Literacy Lending Houses

While GYPC Rotary is supporting 1500 preschoolers to receive books in their homes every month, it is not enough. Our club wanted to expand its support for Literacy for more young children. Painted in Rotary colors and our club logo added, Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary built its first Literacy Lending House. We reached out to Rep. Mariana Sandoval because of her continuous support for public education. Representative Sandoval offered her yard as the place for our first Lending Library. Rep. Sandoval’s home is ideal as it is next to a community park where many families and children come to play and enjoy the shady park. We are forever grateful for her support and help.

Happy Reading Harrison Park families!

Installation of 2024-25 Board of Directors

The Magic of Rotary… we as Rotarians create the magic with every project completed and every dollar donated and every new member of Rotary.

We were honored to have D5495’s District Governor Elect-Michelle Holcomb install our 2024-25 President Mary Kay Utech, May 16, 2024 at our installation dinner at the Oasis Pool in PebbleCreek. The new Board of Directors will be Jim Frey-President-Elect, Lulu Zamora-Treasurer, Letha Zook, Secretary, Alden Muelenberg-Club Service, Julie Frentz, Community Service, Colleen Malany, International Service and Past President, Dr. Betsy Hargrove, Vocational Service, and Karen Gimse, Youth Service.

Outgoing President Colleen highlighted the many projects and programs completed this year including awarding 6 high school scholarship, helping to build and distribute beds to children who don’t have one, packing and delivering 80 food and book boxes to underserved families, working with AFUHSD to enlist senior citizens to participate in the Senior to Senior mentoring program, being an affiliate for the Dolly Parton Imagination Program, helping support a Ukrainian refuge school in Budapest and funding and delivering solar lights through Watts of Love in Kenya.

Charlie Miller was named Rotarian of the Year. Charlie is a Charter member of our club and has served the last couple of years as Club Service Chair. Setting up every week for meetings, organizing socials and organizing the annual holiday food & book box delivery are just a few of his tasks. Congrats Charlie!

Julie Frentz, our Secretary and Community Service Chair was given the Service Above Self Award. Julie is a trooper with the best organizational skills and attention to detail. She was the lead on all of our community service projects and kept us up to date with the minutes. Julie also chaired the volunteer and raffle committee for the golf tournament. She did an awesome job!

Thank you, Julie, for your tireless endeavors for the club.

Jim Frey was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow by fellow member Joan Smith. Jim has shared his time, talent and treasure to enhance the lives of othe4rs. Five years ago, he accepted the role of being chair of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library chair for our club. He has brought in corporate money, written grants and fundraised to keep the program growing. He has also chaired our golf tournament for the past 3 years raising close to $120,000. He is an individual in our club whose life demonstrates a shared purpose with the objectives of the Rotary Foundation. Congratulations Jim.

“It is a pleasure to serve with an organization that is doing so much for our communities,” said Mary Kay, after she was sworn in as President. “It’s the energy and enthusiasm that our members have when engaging in service projects that makes Rotary such a great organization.”

2024 Rotary Foundation Golf Tournament was a Tremendous Success!!

On April 28th, 140 golfers played in the 7th Annual Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Foundation golf tournament. Perfect weather, excellent course conditions and 25 eager volunteers all came together to help create a very successful day.

The day started with the always-popular golf ball drop and this year the $3,000 winner was a Rotary member from the Peoria North Club. The Goodyear Fire Department dropped 600 numbered golf balls onto the putting green at the Tuscany Falls Golf Club and the winning golf ball dropped into the hole.

This year Avondale Toyota was the Event Sponsor and furnished each folder with a golf shirt. General Manager, Kamal Charef, is a long-time supporter of the Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Foundation and said, “As a local, independent, family-owned business in the West Valley, we deeply value the significance of community support. That's why we take great pride in our partnership with the Rotary Club of Goodyear PebbleCreek Foundation, and have actively contributed to various Rotary programs for a number of years.”

A huge thank you goes to all of our major sponsors including Sun Health-Platinum Sponsor, Estrella Mountain Community College-Lunch Sponsor, Argent Solar and West Valley Golf Cars-Golf Cart Sponsors, TLC Real Estate Team-Beverage Station Sponsor, Jones Ford-Hole-in-One Sponsor, Donna Strand, Realty One-Ball Drop Sponsor and Registration Sponsors-Meulenberg Law Office, Alden Meulenberg-Edward Jones, United Goodyear Firefighter Charities, Wilhelm Automotive, Taylor Martin- State Farm and PMG Labels. The Most Accurate Drive and Closest to the Pin sponsors were Osborne Jewelers and the Cincinnati Reds. We also want to thank our 28 tee and green sponsors too.

This golf tournament is the largest fundraiser of the year for our club. Since 2018, we have donated over $290,381 to many nonprofit organizations, provided scholarships to 6 area high schools, scholarships to students to attend EMCC, organized and delivered 80 holiday food and book boxes to families in need in the Litchfield and Avondale Elementary School Districts, supported student leadership programs and are an affiliate of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

Many, many thanks to our members who sponsored, donated raffle items, sold and purchased ball drop tickets, played, volunteered at the event. We truly appreciate your efforts! Also want to thank this year's golf committee: Jim Frey-Chair, Steve Thimjon-Treasurer, Julie Frentz, Henry Raczkiewicz, Colleen Malany, Charlie Miller, Joan Smith, Lulu Zamora, Dennis Johnson.

Austyn Courter-April Student of the Month-Millinnium High School

Austyn embodies the true essence of school spirit, consistently demonstrating enthusiasm and a positive attitude in everything he does. One of Austyn's most admirable qualities is his eagerness to volunteer and participate in various school activities. Whether it's organizing events, lending a helping hand, or cheering on his peers, Austyn is always at the forefront, rallying others with his infectious energy. A true scientist at heart, Austyn's curiosity knows no bounds. Beyond the confines of the classroom, he frequently engages in side investigations, delving into scientific concepts and experiments with a fervor that inspires those around him. His dedication to exploring the wonders of science extends far beyond the curriculum, showcasing his passion for learning and discovery.

Mikaila Montessa-March Student of the Month-Millenium High School

I am writing to you today to highlight the exceptional talents and achievements of one of our outstanding students, an inducted Thespian, Mikaila Montessa, who I believe would make an excellent representative for the Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Club.

Mikaila is not only a remarkable artist, but she also excels in singing, dancing, and acting. Over the past few years, she has showcased her talents in our school's musical productions, including "Matilda," "Xanadu," and the upcoming "Addams Family." In addition to her performances on stage, Mikaila also painted a stunning mural for our production of "Xanadu," demonstrating her creativity and artistic abilities.

Beyond her artistic endeavors, Mikaila is a model student who embodies maturity, kindness, and positivity. She consistently impresses both peers and faculty with her exemplary behavior and positive attitude. As a testament to her leadership and dedication, Mikaila serves on the officer council as the social media manager for our Millennium Theater Club where she excels in promoting our productions and engaging with our community.

Furthermore, Mikaila not only shines in the arts but also excels academically. Despite her busy schedule with theater and extracurricular activities, she continues to excel in all her academic classes, demonstrating her commitment to excellence in every aspect of her education.

As her teacher and mentor, I am incredibly proud of Mikaila and firmly believe that she highly deserves the honor of representing Millennium High School as Student of the Month for GYPC Rotary Club. Her talent, dedication, and exemplary character make her a true asset to our school community and a worthy representative for your esteemed organization.

Thank you for recognizing Mikaila for this prestigious award.

Sharon Orlopp-Polio and Empowerment

This Wednesday, March 6th-7:00-8:00 am in the EN Palm Room, Please join us-Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary will host Sharon Orlopp, author, consultant, and national speaker, who is passionate about building a world where everyone is valued and included. She believes in the transformative power of personal stories and actions to touch the heart which in turn change behaviors.

Sharon spent 30+ years working in Fortune 500 companies in senior executive roles in HR and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. She currently serves on The Harwood Institute Board which is dedicated to transforming our shared civic lives with community leaders focused on creating change.

Her topic-Polio and Empowerment will transcend cultural barriers as she shares the story she co-authored, Standing Up After Saigon with Thuhang Tran.

The Rotary Club of Goodyear PebbleCreek is based on an ethic of “Service Above Self” and continuies to adopt diverse projects consistent with the club’s Avenues of Service supporting Vocational, International, Community, and Youth needs. The Club meets each Wednesday from 7-8AM in the Palm Room of the Eagles Nest Clubhouse. For further information, contact Joan Smith, Membership Chair-503-348-9468. www.goodyearrotary.org

Carson Seeker-February Student of the Month-Millenium High School

Carson Seeker, a Senior at Millennium High School, was presented our Rotary club’s first Student of the Month award and recognized for Outstanding Achievement in Academic Excellence. Here is the nomination provided by his teacher:

Carson Seeker will graduate as this year's valedictorian. He has committed to a very academically rigorous course load. He is a star athlete on the cross country and track teams, and competed in a national tournament in the fall. He is always respectful and offers to help whenever he can, including spending RTI time tutoring students who are struggling. He participates in both the pickleball and science Olympiad clubs. Carson exemplifies a student who is dedicated to his classwork, sports, extracurriculars, and helping raise up other students.

In addition to receiving the award, Carson will have a solar light donated in his name to a family in Africa through Watts of Love (www.wattsoflove.org). Nearly 1 billion people around the world are without electricity and live in darkness. They spend up to 30% of their income on dangerous fuel sources just to have light, and it keeps them in a cycle of poverty. Access to solar lighting eliminates the need for a costly fuel source and offers immediate savings. Solar lighting also means people can continue daily activities after dark, which directly impacts household income, safety, and overall health. Solar light starts people on the pathway to prosperity-giving light to educate & empower.

We are honored to partner with Agua Fria School District to recognize outstanding students in all spectrums of scholastic and personal achievement. We will feature these students throughout the school year as we present their awards.

7th Annual Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Foundation
Golf Tournament & Ball Drop

8^th Annual Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Foundation Golf Tournament and Ball Drop

ARE YOU READY?….The sun is shining, the sky is powder blue, the palm trees are swaying in the distance and you are standing with friends and business associates ready to tee off!

Golf Event Sign Up Form

Joan Smith Awarded Major Donor Pin by DG Kevin Pitts

On November 16, at a regular club meeting of the Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary club, we honored our Charter President, Joan Smith, a long-time Rotarian on her attaining Major Donor status with the Rotary Foundation. These donations are essential to securing and growing Rotary programs throughout the world. Joan is among a dedicated and select group of humanitarians who have committed themselves to serving others. Major Donors change the lives of children, young people, adults, communities, and the world to which we all belong. Her gift inspires others to give, not just of their “treasure” but of their time and of their talent! In recognition of her investment in The Rotary Foundation’s wonderful projects and programs, District Governor Kevin Pitts presented Joan with a Major Donor pin on behalf of The Foundation’s Trustees. The Rotary Foundation recognizes donors and expresses gratitude for her commitment. The Rotary Foundation Mission: 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.
Congratulations Joan for your years of commitment to “Service Above Self”.

Holiday Food & Book Distribution

Rotary Supports Early Literacy

Avondale KidFest, a family friendly event hosted by the City of Avondale with a focus on literacy, education, healthy lifestyles and water safety for ages 5 and younger this past Saturday. Our Dolly Parton Imagination Library crew were onsite to register children from birth to age five for the free book-gifting program to encourage early literacy. 75 families signed up!! Some of our graduates came by to say hi while new students signed up! It was great to see so many families out spending the morning together. What a Fantastic Day!

Estrella Foothills High School Interact Club in Action

The energetic Estrella Foothills High School Interact Club is busy serving the community. These young leaders spent their Saturday manning a rest station for cyclists participating in the Tour de Cure held in Estrella Mountain Ranch. Lots of fun for a great cause!

There are many benefits for students who are interested in joining an Interact Club offered at their high school. Many of the top benefits of taking part in a Interact Club is that students get the chance to:

Discover new cultures as they promote a greater sense of international understanding
Develop key leadership skills in their schools and their community
Make new friends both in their own community at home as well as communities across the world
Encourage and practice thoughtfulness and helpfulness towards others
Create an awareness of the importance of home and family
Build respect for the rights of all people, based on recognition of the worth of each individual
Emphasize acceptance of individual responsibility as the basis of personal success, community improvement, and group achievement
Develop important life skills that include self-development, time management, and personal finances
Recognize the dignity of all useful jobs and opportunities that work towards making society better
Open pathways to the advancement of international understanding and goodwill towards the whole of humanity

6th Annual Goodyear Rotary Foundation Golf Tournament

ARE YOU READY?..….The sun is shining, the sky is powder blue, the palm trees are swaying in the distance and you are standing with friends and business associates ready to tee off!

Please join us for the Sixth Annual Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Foundation Golf Tournament & Golf Ball Drop, to be held at Tuscany Falls Golf Club, in PebbleCreek, in Goodyear on Sunday, May 7, 2023.

Again, this year we will be offering our Golf Ball Drop with a chance to win up to $3000. Tickets are being sold for $20.00 each. With the help of our friends at the Goodyear Fire Department, six hundred numbered golf balls will be dropped over the putting green from a ladder truck. The ball or balls that land in the designated cup or closest to the cup will win the prize. Ties will result in split winnings. Need not be present to win. This activity will take place before the teams tee off. Maybe you will be the lucky winner this year!!

The monies raised from this tournament will benefit local organizations that provide needed services to enhance and improve lives of children and families. Last year, we helped the SW Lending Closet, Meals of Joy, Southwest Valley Family Advocacy Center, Agua Fria Food and Clothing Bank, provided scholarships at the 5 Agua Fria Union School District High Schools, supported Title I schools by providing emergency clothing baskets, did a huge canned food drive in partnership with the Kare Bears and delivered 80 food and a for each child in the family for the holidays. We also supported several youth leadership programs and projects. We couldn’t do it without the tremendous support we receive from you at our tournament.

I hope you will join us again this year. I look forward to seeing each of you on May 7. If you need more information or have questions, please contact Jim Frey at: 415-271-0714 or email jimfrey8235@gmail.com

Holiday Food Box and Book Distribution

Interact Club Presents...

Interact Presents...

We kicked off the month of September with these outstanding Jaguars from Canyon View High School. Remarkably poised and prepared, they shared their experiences in Interact.

Our club is proud to support these capable young leaders and their enthusiastic teacher, Aiesha Morris. The future of our community is in good hands. Thank you!

Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Foundation partners with Dolly Parton Imagination Library

The Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Foundation announced that it has become an official affiliate of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in an effort to promote literacy in the West Valley.

Rotary Sets 32,000 lbs Community Food Drive Goal

The Rotary Club of Goodyear PebbleCreek is gearing up for their Community “Let’s Bag Hunger” Food Drive for the Agua Fria Food & Clothing Bank and All Faith Community Services. Rotarians throughout Arizona have declared April 17-24, 2021 “Rotary Week of Service” and we invite you to join us as we conduct community service projects throughout our communities, our state and the world!

4th Annual GYPC Rotary Foundation Golf Tournament

The Goodyear PebbleCreek Rotary Foundation had an outstanding response to its Fourth Annual Charity Golf Tournament & Ball Drop held February 21 at the PebbleCreek Tuscany Falls East Course. This tournament continues to grow in recognition by players and sponsors because of the charitable good works by the Club that make a difference in the lives of our local community

People of Action

John Spooler-Rotarian of the Year

The installation of new officers for the Rotary Club of Goodyear PebbleCreek took place on April 24. The dinner was hosted by out-going club president Joan. She reviewed the club's progress and achievements for the last 18 months. Major milestones recognized included membership growth of 30 members and over $35,000 donated to charitable organizations in the greater Goodyear community., including Agua Fria Food & Clothing Bank, SW Family Advocacy Center, Mutts on a Mission, SW Lending Closet, Hope Community Services and four high school scholarships. The club has also planted trees at the Goodyear Community Park, collected 2800 pounds of canned food for the food bank, delivered food and book boxes during the holidays, rang bells for the Salvation Army and participate in monthly road clean-up.

The highlight of the evening was the recognition of John Spooler as Rotarian of the Year. "John has been a dedicated Rotarian for over 20 years and he was the inspiration and driving force to organize our Goodyear PebbleCreek Club", said Smith. "His spirit of service and charitable giving really reflects the heart and soul of our club." Spooler, in addition to his long tenure of Rotary Club volunteer work, is also recognized as a multiple Paul Harris Fellow for generous financial giving to Rotary International. "John is the epitome of Rotary's ethic of service above self and we are fortunate to benefit from his decades of Rotary experienced," noted Smith

John Spooler awards Two Paul Harris's!

John Spooler is an strong advocate for The Rotary Foundation. Being the charitable arm of Rotary, it helps clubs and districts work together to perform meaningful, sustainable service such as clean water, medical care, literacy classes and other essentials. Rotary leads the charge in ending polio and promoting peace. 91% of each dollar donated goes directly to Rotary projects around the world!

John honored two club members with Paul Harris Fellow awards because he believes these two individuals have shown leadership and service above self. John recognized Sheryl Driscoll for all her hard work and participation in the community. John's quote was, "Everything that Sheryl works on turns to gold!" "She is very deserving of this Paul Harris Fellow." Joe Miles was the second Rotarian recognized by John. "Joe helps with the set-up and take down of the room each week, says the invocation and believes that you get the most out of Rotary by getting involved in club projects and activities. Joe is a great person to have on our team", John says.

Thank you John, for your continued work of encouraging and helping all our members to become Paul Harris Fellows!

District Governor Jim Visits

Great Rotary meeting today with DG Jim Erickson as our speaker. Excellent program focusing on the need to finish the fight to eradicate Polio worldwide!

Title I School Nurses Receive Baskets of Clothing

Giving Back to the Community

Posted on Jul 09, 2018

At our June 20th meeting, President Elect Charlie Miller presented $500 checks to two great local charities from our club foundation. Executive Director Ann DeVlaeminck accepted the check. Southwest Lending Closet loans durable home health equipment free of charge to those in need. Contact: southwestlendingcloset.org, (623) 932-1016.

Therapy Paws/Mutts on a Mission was represented by President Kathleen Malony and her therapy dog Finnley. Their mission is to provide comfort through animal pet therpy to those who have physical and emotional needs. Currently, they are partners with Abrazo Hospital, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Copper Springs Behavioral Hospital and Goodyear Library. Contact: kathleen.malony@cox.net, (844)387-4847

Students of the Month

Build a Bed

Desert Edge Senior Violet Farinella has been selected the October 2025 Student of the Month for Outstanding Leadership in Fine Arts.

Millennium High School Senior Juliette Gonzales has been selected the October 2025 Student of the Month for Outstanding Achievement in Fine Arts.

September's Millennium Student of the Month is 11th grader Madison Mendoza. Here is the short narrative from her Spanish teacher, Mr. Davenport:

September Student of the Month for Desert Edge High School in recognition of Outstanding Leadership - Agasne Bragado

Interact Presents...

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