Two graduating Twentynine Palms High School seniors were helped on to the next level of education with scholarships from their local community service club.
 
The Rotary Club hosted Tyler Luke and Caroline Morning at their meeting of June 12, 2024, to get their checks and be recognized by the club and their supporters.
 
Tyler Luke told the club he would be using his scholarship to finish two years at Copper Mountain College before heading for further education in aviation with the goal of becoming a commercial pilot.
 
Caroline Morning is heading to Northern Arizona University to study Economics.
 
The scholarships were awarded after a committee of Rotarians, under the leadership of John Cole, reviewed essays from the applicants. The Rotary Club has made Youth services a priority and awards scholarships yearly.
 
The 29 Palms Rotary Club, established March 15, 1948, is the oldest service club in the Morongo Basin, they meet Wednesdays at noon at the Little Church of the Desert Meeting Hall. Local professionals are urged to find out how to become a member. More information on the local club is available at rotary29.org.
 
 Photo:
(From left) 29 Palms Rotary President Dan Mintz presents scholarships to Tyler Luke and Sarah Morning as John Cole looks on. (Rotary Photo)

Highlighting the high level of instruction offered at Copper Mountain College, a former NASA physicist was honored as “Professor of the Year” at the Twentynine Palms Rotary Club meeting of May 29.
 
Ramon Abrego III, Dean of Instruction, Distance Education, and Learning Resources introduced the honoree, Professor of physics and astronomy, John Watkins.
 
Abrego said Watkins' impact on the college and the community has been remarkable. He said that Watkins’ advocacy for astronomy recently resulted in seeing the “Sky’s The Limit” site on Utah Trail near the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park become an official satellite campus for the college. He also has introduced astronomy to local Junior and High School students. Described as “An amazing colleague who is always willing to help out” Abrego said Watkins is “Connected to good things happening at CMC”.
 
Watkins, who started teaching 15 years ago, moved to the Morongo Basin from Los Angeles, where he was a physicist for NASA.
 
The Twentynine Palms Rotary club, founded in 1948, has been honoring local educators for their positive impacts on their students and communities. Rotary International is dedicated to community service and world peace. The local club meets Wednesdays at noon at the Little Church of the desert meeting room. More information is available at rotary29.org

 
Photo:
From left, 29 Palms Rotarian John Cole presents “Professor of the Year” honoree John Watkins with a certificate and a gift certificate as Dean Ramon Abrego III looks on. (Rotary Club Photo).