The Rotary Club of Twentynine Palms continued its efforts to honor local educators and support education last week. The teacher and student of the year were recognized at a club meeting, and nine seniors from Twentynine Palms and Blackrock high schools were given generous scholarships.
 
At their meeting of May 20, 2026, Oasis Elementary Teacher Sherry Reyes and 5th grader Carson Riddlesburger were named teacher and student of the year respectively by Principal Dr. Mundy Viar.
 
In making the awards, Viar said, “Mrs. Cheri Reyes is an outstanding educator whose influence extends far beyond her classroom. She inspires both students and colleagues through her passion for learning, commitment to meaningful relationships, and dedication to supporting every child’s growth. She creates an engaging, welcoming environment where students feel valued, supported, and excited to learn, and her small-group instruction provides meaningful, targeted support that students
genuinely enjoy. Her calm presence, growth mindset, and unwavering belief that all students can succeed make her deeply respected and appreciated, and truly deserving of recognition”.
 
Introducing Riddlesburger, Viar said, “Carson is an exceptional student and natural leader who makes a positive impact both inside and outside the classroom. A straight-A student, he consistently demonstrates responsibility, initiative, and a willingness to help others succeed. Carson is also a talented and creative writer, showcasing a strong command of writing mechanics and an imaginative perspective. Carson’s leadership, creativity, and dedication make him a standout member of the Oasis 5th grade team, and we are proud to recognize his accomplishments”.
 
Viar also introduced the new Community Schools liaison Ajene Holmes and Reyes’ partner-teacher, Aleana Craven. Reyes and Riddlesburger were honored with certificates and gift cards.
 
A few days earlier, Rotary Youth Services Chair John Cole attended Scholarship night at 29 Palms High School and warded scholarships to Jayden Alston, Azaria McKinnon, Katelyn Luke, Mikayala Vinzon, Dakimah Coleman, Ava Poteat, Yamili Yepez, and Adonai Patu. Blackrock student Ivanna Claus was also honored with a scholarship.
 
The Rotary club has made supporting education locally as one of their priorities and has been honoring individuals during the school year.
 
Chartered in 1948, the 29 Palms Rotary club is the oldest service club in the Morongo Basin. They meet most Wednesdays at noon at the Little Church of the desert meeting room.
 
Photo:
At their meeting of May 20, 2026, the Rotary Club of Twentynine Palms honored educators and a student from Oasis Elementary school. From left, Rotary President Jermaine Rodney, Community Schools liaison Ajene Holmes, Teacher Aleana Craven, Teacher of the Year Sherry Reyes, Student of the Year Carson Riddlesburger, Oasis Principal Dr, Mundy Viar, and Rotary Youth Services chair John Cole.

The Rotary Club of Twentynine Palms proudly honored excellence in education by recognizing Tyndale Wallace as Student of the Year and Emily Candelaria as Teacher of the Year from 29 Palms Elementary School.
 
Tyndale was celebrated for being consistently helpful, a natural leader, and a positive example who always shows up for others.
 
Emily Candelaria, a dedicated 5th grade teacher, was recognized for creating an inclusive classroom environment where real learning happens every day.
 
Presented by Principal Ms. Trejo, these honors highlight the incredible students and educators shaping the future of our community. Congratulations to both on this well-deserved recognition!
 
Chartered in 1948, the Rotary Club of Twentynine Palms meets weekly at noon at the Little Church of the Desert meeting room.

 
Photo:
At a recent 29 Palms Rotary Club meeting, from left, Rotary President Jermaine Rodney presents certificates and gift certificates to teacher Emily Candelaria and student Tyndale Wallace. Principal Ms. Trejo and Rotary Youth Service chairman John Cole did the introductions. 

A Morongo Basin wide food drive collected enough food and funding to bring big benefits to eight local food pantries. Three Rotary clubs, Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms, and Yucca Valley Sunset, combined their efforts for the annual food collection held Friday, April 24th. The clubs set up collection areas at the Twentynine Palms and Yucca Valley East Stater Brothers grocery stores. Shoppers were given lists of food items which were then collected and organized into bags designed to feed a family of four for two days.
 
Organizer Mary Helen Tuttle of Joshua Tree Rotary said the Yucca Valley location netted 122 bags and Twentynine Palms 100 during the six-hour event.  Valued at about $25.00 each, the bags represented a value of $5,550.00. In addition, donation jars at both locations netted another $371.00. The cash was used to purchase selected food items to fill in what was needed for each bag. Other donations from Rotary and private sources, plus a rollover from the 2025 event, brought another $3,192.00.
 
The Saturday morning after the event the food was distributed to eight Food Pantries, plus all the extra oddball stuff collected and not put in bags. In addition to the food bags, the pantries will each receive checks for $399.00.
The beneficiaries are:
29 Palms Food Pantry
The Way Station
Roth Memorial Food Pantry at Oasis Church
Morongo Basin Arch
Boys and Girls Club of Yucca Valley
Student Needs at Copper Mountain College
Pay'n It Forward 
Copper Mtn Mesa Community Association
 
Organizers thanked Stater Brothers for the locations and Cardinal Van and Storage for the trucks used to collect and transport the food.
 
Tuttle said the Rotary Clubs will continue to collect donations until May 5th and will give the funds to the Food Pantries at the Joshua Tree Rotary meeting of Wednesday, May 6th. There is still time to donate tax deductible dollars, send to:
 
Rotary Club of Joshua Tree Foundation, Inc.
PO Box 1323, Joshua Tree, CA 92252.
 
Or contact Bryan Sullivan 760-668-8195 or Paul Hoffman 760-832-3188.
 
Rotary International has about 1.2 million members in 45,000 clubs worldwide. Rotary clubs bring together people across generations who wish to create lasting change in the world, in their communities, and in themselves.

 
Photos:
 
Rotary YV JT 2026
Rotarians man the food drive booth in Yucca Valley April 24th. From left, Bryan Sullivan from Joshua Tree Rotary, Sue Tsuda from Yucca Valley Sunset Rotary and Kimberly Mejia from Joshua Tree. (Rotary Club photo)
 
Rotary 29 2026
Rotarians from the Twentynine Palms Club man the food drive table April 24th at Stater Brothers, From left, Dann Rothwell, Anna Stump, Judy Cates, and Randy Councell. (Rotary Club photo)