Nov 12th Meeting

Alice Rigney was not feeling well, so she was not able to take notes of the meeting. We miss her and hope she recovers quickly.

Our weekly meeting was action packed as usual. The MCAT student of the month, Gustavo Barcelo, was recognized for his achievements. Gustavo made significant academic improvements at MCAT HS this school year. He is being recognized because of the leadership qualities he showed while working with younger students at Estes Elementary. Recently, Gustavo accompanied a kindergarten class on a field trip to the pumpkin patch, where he was responsible for a small group of students.  One of the students in his group fainted, and Gustavo reacted calmly and swiftly to help her. He carried the little girl back to the main area and kept his other students safe while making sure she was attended to. This action, in combination with the improvements he has shown at MCAT, are what led the staff to award him student of the month for October. After graduation in December, Gustavo said he plans to look for a job and is considering going to Pima Community College, although he is not sure what field he will pursue.  

Gustavo is a senior. He was accompanied by Denise Coronado (Principal), Maria Garcia (mother), and Melissa Wrenn (English teacher). He received a certificate of achievement and a gift certificate to the movie theater. 

Our Immediate Past President Suelee Edwards was our vocational speaker. She is the Manager for Bank of the West, Marana Branch. She had challenges during her youth but she worked hard to overcome them. After she was adopted by a teacher at her school, she attended UCLA and graduated with a degree in accounting. She planned to pursue a career as a CPA, but one day at her volunteer position at a suicide help line, she saved a person's life by talking to them until the police arrived to help. Those who saw her in action realized that she had a different calling and encouraged her to become part of the Los Angeles Police Department. She worked there until a health condition required her to move to Arizona. While recovering, she returned to what she learned in college and is using her accounting and public relations skills serving customers at Bank of the West. 

Those who know Suelee know that she has a big heart and is extremely compassionate. She volunteers countless hours and dollars to Make a Wish Foundation, her passion. Her eyes light up and she becomes animated when she talks about the wishes that have been fulfilled for children who have faced serious, life threatening illnesses. We are glad that Suelee is a member of the Rotary Club of Marana. 

The Club wished Pam Beine Happy Birthday and were pleased to see Jo Holt at the meeting. She is recovering from emergency surgery. Tonja Greenfield encouraged members to participate in the Tucson Rodeo Parade on February 22, 2014. She also announced the Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 7 for the Town of Marana. RYLA application are due on November 15. The wrap-up meeting for the Third Annual Rotary Heritage Awards will be help on Thursday, November 14, 2013, at 7:00 a.m. at Edward Jones. 

For more information, please visit our website at www.maranarotary.org.