The Rotary Club of Twentynine Palms continued its program of supporting local education by recognizing the “Student of the Month” from Palm Vista Elementary school.
 
At their meeting of April 29, 2026, the club welcomed Principal, Dr. Claudette Onumah, teacher Taylor Shortall, and student Oliver Carroll.
 
Dr. Onumah thanked club president Jermaine Rodney and the club for providing the avenue to honor teachers and students.  She introduced teacher Taylor Shortall who runs the extended learning program at the school and recently started a very successful cooking club at Palm Vista.
 
Shortall told the club she was very thankful to be part of a “very unique community” at the school and introduced Oliver Carroll as the student of the month. She described Carroll as, “Very quiet but always working behind the scenes”. She lauded his achievement of starting a chess club referring to him as a “True Palm Vista Panther”.  
 
Rotary Youth services chairman John Cole then presented all three with certificates and gift cards for their achievements.  
 
Founded in 1948, The Rotary club of Twentynine Palms meets Wednesdays at noon at the Little Church of the desert meeting room.  
 

 
Photo:
At their meeting of April 30, the Twentynine Palms Rotary Club welcomed representatives of Palms Vista Elementary school. From left. Club President Jermaine Rodney, Principal Dr. Claudette Onumah, Teacher Taylor Shortall, Student of the month Oliver Carroll, and Rotary youth services chair John Cole. (Rotary photo)

A fifth grader at Condor Elementary school was recognized as the “Student of the month” at a recent 29 Palms Rotary club meeting.
 
While thanking the service club for their efforts to honor local education, Condor Principal Dr. Mario Walker gave a brief background on the unique school, located aboard the Twentynine Palms Marine base. He said that for over 30 years they have worked closely with the base to provide quality services to military families. He introduced 5th grade teacher Carey Campbell as a 10-year teacher at Condor, who has one of the highest scoring classes at the school.
 
Campbell thanked the kids and parents for their efforts in supporting the school as he named his student, Maya Vinzon, for the high honor. Campbell said Maya was chosen because “she listens and she works”.  He added, “she works hard every day. all day. she finishes, she learns, she excels”.
 
Maya’s parents were there as she gracefully accepted the award, thanking the club. Club President Jermaine Rodney gave out the certificates while Youth Service chairman John Cole gave Walker, Campbell, and Maya gift cards.
 
Founded in 1948, the Twentynine Palms Rotary Club is the oldest service club in the Morongo Basin. They have been supporting local educators and students for many years by inviting honorees to club meetings. The club meets Wednesdays at noon at the Little Church of the desert meeting room.
 

Photo:
At their meeting of April 22nd, (from left) 29 Palms Rotary Club President Jermaine Rodney, award winner Maya Vinzon, teacher Carey Campbell, Condor Principal Dr. Mario Walker, and club youth services director John Cole honor the 5th grader named “Student of the month”. (Rotary photo)