The Rotary club of Twentynine Palms hosted members of the Twentynine Palms High School Interact club at their meeting of November 6, 2024. The Interact Club, the largest student club on the high school campus, is sponsored by the Rotary Club and is dedicated to community Service and the motto “Service Above Self”.

The Interactors told the adult club members about their many service projects which greatly benefit the school and the community. They are currently collecting food to make up 300 Thanksgiving baskets which consist of all the ingredients needed to make a traditional holiday meal. The meals will be distributed to deserving families on November 22, Rotarian Pat Welch has already donated 150 turkeys to the cause. 

In addition to the Thanksgiving baskets, the Interact Club participates in community cleanups, collects jackets and blankets for the unhoused and assists with many community events. 

Chartered in 1948, the Twentynine Palms Rotary club is the longest established service club in the Morongo Basin. Their 22 members meet on Wednesdays at noon at the little church of the desert meeting hall.

 
Photo: 
From left, Sofia Contreras, Briceas Murguia, Amiel Escobel, Rotary Club President PJ Welch, Frank Diorio, and Interact President Kieu Huynh. (Rotary Club Photo)

Club members Pat, Jamie, Don and Danny sit at the Rotary Beverage Booth at the Pioneer Days Block Party, enjoying the last days of summer.

In a brief ceremony held during their meeting of July 24th, The Rotary Club of Twentynine Palms formally inducted the new City Manager, Stone James, as a member of the local club. James had previously been a member of the Cathedral City Rotary Club.
 
James, 49, had been the economic development director in Cathedral City since 2017. He brings extensive experience in real estate and development liaison capacities. James holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting from Gonzaga University, a master’s degree in real estate development from the University of Southern California and a doctorate in policy, planning and economic development from USC.
 
After the induction, conducted by 42-year Rotarian and 5-time past President Gary Daigneault, James gave a brief presentation of his background and how he came to be in Twentynine Palms. He was welcomed into the club with a standing ovation.
 
The Rotary Club of Twentynine Palms, founded in 1948, meets Wednesdays at noon at the Little Church of the Desert meeting room. Dedicated to “Service above Self” The prestigious community service club is part of Rotary International. More information is available at www.rotary29.org.
 

 
Photo Caption:
Twentynine Palms City Manager Stone James, right, is welcomed into the Rotary Club by his sponsor, Dan Mintz, left, and induction official Gary Daigneault, center.

Elizabeth Bevan with our newest member, Joyce Coffey. Welcome, Joyce!

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).

Believing that excellence in education inspires excellence in the community, the Twentynine Palms Rotary Club continued its program of honoring the best from our local schools. On May 15, the club recognized and honored the Teacher and Student of the month from Twentynine Palms elementary school.
 
Principal Nicole Trejo introduced teacher of the month, Tiana Bakos, saying. “In her Kindergarten class, she advances understanding of peace and goodwill. Her class has the highest grades in Math and Reading”.
 
Student of the month was awarded to 6th grader Kellyn French, Trejo said “Kellyn is being recognized for her level of participation and her top grades. She is socially gifted with the ability to get along with everybody.”
 
French and Bakos were presented with awards and gift certificates for the honors, The Rotary Club is dedicated to community service and world peace with 1.2 million members in 135 countries.
 
 
 Photo:
(From left) At a recent Twentynine Palms Rotary Club meeting, 29 Palms Elementary student of the month Kellyn French, Principal Nicole Trejo, Teacher of the month Tiana Baker, and Rotarian John Cole. (Rotary Photo) 

A Counselor/Teacher at Twentynine Palms High School received high honors Wednesday, May 8, as the local Rotary Club honored his selection as “Teacher of the Year”. 
 
Principal Mike Ruggiero said he selected Robert Conway because of his extraordinary efforts in coordinating the recent school accreditation effort. Ruggiero said Conway’s leadership and management skills resulted in Twentynine Palms High School being given a full six-year accreditation “At the highest level possible” from the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
 
Conway was presented with a recognition award and a gift certificate. The Rotary Club of Twentynine Palms, founded in 1948, meets Wednesdays at noon at the Little Church of the Desert meeting room. More information is available at www.rotary29.org.

 
Photo:
From left, Rotarian John Cole joins Twentynine Palms High School Principal Mike Ruggerio and “Teacher of the Year” recipient Robert Conway at a recent meeting. (Rotary Photo)Rotary Club of Twentynine Palms