Escondido Sunrise Rotary; Meeting to Serve our Community in Person
and “Escondido High School Agriculture Dept.”
May 9, 2024
As we all try to conduct our professional pursuits in new ways, it’s appropriate to remind ourselves of who we are as a Serving Organization… Our accomplishments, our fellowship and the reminder of our many successes is valuable as we seek new opportunities to serve…
We met again in person at the Chamber of Commerce… Great to enjoy the fellowship again and see all your smiling faces…
As a Club, we honored our nation with a salute to our Flag led by Past President Tony Criss and an invocation was offered by Past President Jack Anderson….
Guests & Visitors:
EHS Ag Dept visitors:
Christian Cruzeta
Isabelle Cabrera
Ariana Quintero
Ace Martinez
Nalli Vongsavanthong
Londynn Sam
Marc Reyburn
Adam Alegre
Escondido Sunrise Rotary Celebrations!!
Rotary Anniversaries:
Scott Putnicki – 27 years on 5/15
Alan Miller – 27 years on 5/15
High 5 and Announcements:
John Schwab talked about the awards ceremony for the Rising Stars scholarship recipients. There were 27 students that received the awards which was held at Emmanuel Faith Church. This is something that ESR supports every year
Steve Beevar from the ALS Association visited our club this morning to talk about their annual fund raiser which will be at the Valley View Casino. ALS aka Lou Gehrig’s disease affects many individuals and this is a good way to help with this very worthwhile cause
Past President Jack Anderson went to the Missouri Veterans Memorial and spent some time at the memorial wall. He found 2 friends on that wall which you can see in the picture. Jack also tested Mark about which baseball player that he met at the airport in his travels coming home. President Mark made a couple of guesses and finally got it: Gene Tenace and of course he brought back a gift for President Mark!!
Judy Fitzgerald attended the renaissance fair that was held on Sunday, the pics speak for themselves
Joe Holtz presented Kendalyn White (Mayor Dan White’s sister) her blue membership badge. Welcome Kendalyn, so happy to have you!!
Incoming Calendar Events:
Program:
Past President Rich introduced the speakers this morning from the EHS Ag Dept
Guest Speaker: Marc Rayburn, Escondido High School FFA Teacher
Marc Rayburn came to speak on the impact the FFA (Future Farmers of America) program at Escondido High School has had on many students. One generally thinks that the students
involved in the FFA program have ties to farming or raising animals outside of the school. Marc said this is not the case. Most students that are in the program have never experienced raising animals. Most start the program out of curiosity and as a fun elective but then it becomes a passion for them. The majority of the students enroll in the program in their sophomore year and continue through their senior year recruiting friends to join along the way. Marc has been grateful for all the support Rotarians have given the program throughout the years. He brought with him four students to speak on their experiences and benefits of being in the FFA program.
A shared experience between the students was an increase in their confidence around public speaking. Participating in competitions and interacting with the public has allowed them to feel comfortable interacting with new people and adults and speaking in front of judges with an audience observing. Waking up in the early morning hours to care for the animals before school and staying late after school to continue the care has taught them responsibility and accountability, as well as time management, as they then must focus on their studies. This discipline has also carried over into other areas of being more responsible for themselves and pursuing goals, they once felt were unachievable such as the colleges they will be attending and
their career paths after college.
Although they all love the farm animals they raise from birth, and even name them, their goal at the end of every year is to sell them at the Del Mar Fair – to be delicious food on your plate!
The students asked that the ESRC consider purchasing the animals early in the year to help pay for the cost of food and care. There is no profit made from the sales at the end of the year, which creates a financial burden on the students during the school year. Purchasing an animal
at the beginning of the school year can lighten the burden for the students. Other ways to support the program are to shop at their FFA Market located on the far north end of the campus. They have organic vegetables, fruit and eggs to sell at very reasonable prices.
Let’s remember to support this important program either by purchasing an animal early on to have on your dish by the following summer, or shopping at the FFA Market. If interested in purchasing an animal or co-purchasing an animal, please reach out to Marc Rayburn. He’ll be waiting at the farm.
Thanks for Attending Today’s Meeting….
Support for our Escondido Community …
Our great community and the success of its businesses is all of our responsibilities… Support the businesses that are doing all they can to survive this trying economy…….
The ‘Giving Arch’ on Grand Avenue and Centre City Parkway reminds us that Escondido is a caring, giving community…
To all; be safe and be well…. God Bless those men and women that carry the load at our medical facilities, and God Bless our first responders… May our governmental leaders be wise, thoughtful and smart as they navigate these times that have been difficult…..
The meetings will be technically managed by Past President Richard Agnew… Thanks for that Richard… And, Richard is prepared to support all of our attempts at joining the on-line meetings if needed….
SEE YOU SOON…… In Person … Next meeting; May 16th, at 7:30 AM to hear from Silas Harrington
Check President Mark’s email for the reminder…
