Greeters: Colin Armstrong and Ken Till. President Chuck Pattishall opened the meeting by asking fellow Rotarians to greet one another. John Ailstock called us to prayer for the inspirational moment. Chris McLaran led us on the Pledge of Allegiance.

Host Darrick Price was greeted with an exceptionally enthusiastic welcome, which threw him a bit off guard. He gathered himself and turned right away to birthdays and anniversaries:

Jess Davis celebrates his birthday this week. In honor of Al Owen, he chose not to say much

Guy Everingham will enjoy his 34th wedding anniversary to his best friend this weekend, which falls on Mother's Day. He once forgot both . . . but only once! He contributed a little extra in honor of his daughter, who just completed a medical rotation in Alaska.

Steve Larson celebrated seven years of wedded bliss on April 27th.

TAMARA BORGES announced that Mac High School will open in two weeks with the staging of the classic comedy “You Can't Take it With You.” She's in it, so come see it!

 

Brandon Malloy announced that they will be collecting “I'm thinking of you” cards and photos for Jon Triest, our beloved member who is very ill. Bring pictures that you have of Jon or cards to Stevie at Express Employment Professionals.

TAMARA returned (easy, since she has the mic) to give a big hug to and thank Steve Battiglia for serving as her host family the past few months. She will be moving in with Walt Haight this Sunday.

Bob Emrick announced that starting this week, Western Oregon Waste will begin a pilot program in McMinnville of picking up yard debris at home. Customers can contact WOW to participate.

Darrick Price returned with the infamous “Sword of Knowledge” game. Each table responds with an answer to the question of the day by raising their sword. If they get it wrong, everyone at the table contributes $1 to the Club Foundation. If every table gets it right, Darrick contributes $5. Today was “Guess What Prez Chuck Would Rather Have.” Given two choices, the Prez chose – b.) an earlobe the size of a baseball! over a.) eyelashes a foot long he couldn't pluck.  Most tables missed that one.

Guy Everingham assumed the mic representing the Rotary Foundation Board to announce that they have nominated Steve Fitzpatrick and Lee Vasquez to another three year term, and nominated Dan Gardner to replace Al Hansen for a new term. Their semi-annual meeting will be held at next Friday's Rotary meeting, to take nominations from the floor and conduct the vote for board members.

 

Steve Larson recognized Jon Triest for his long contribution to our club with a Rotary coin, stamped on one side with the Four Way Test and the other with “Service above Self.” Steve  will take the coin to Jon, who was unable to join us today.

 

Prez Chuck reminded us to contribute our spare change to the Pennies for Polio campaign. He also mentioned that the Rotary District 5100 Conference last week was marvelous. He was particularly proud of our club's student performances: Outbound exchange student RICKY BODLE'S presentation won a speech competition, Duniway Middle School student Penn Sumner won the District Four Way Test Speech Contest, and TAMARA danced with her Brazilian exchange student friends for the conference. We were well represented!

Prez Chuck reminded us of the flag raising ceremony for the Rotary flagpole, taking place next Saturday, May 16th. Invitations should have arrived to club members in the mail.

MAIN EVENT

Dr. Maryalice Russell took the podium on this special day to introduce the McMinnville Rotary Teachers of the Year presentations. She rises every morning to ask herself “What great things will I do today?” Fridays are special because she gets to have lunch with fellow Rotarians. This Friday is her favorite because she can acknowledge five wonderful teachers for their exceptional service to our young people. They were nominated by their school's staff and fellow teachers. Each  received a plaque and a monetary award from our club.

Grandhaven Elementary School

Newby Elementary School

PRINCIPAL MARK HINTHORN thanked the club for the dictionary program, which the kids and teachers love and is very welcome. He continued by saying that their teacher present today should be a member of Rotary; she embodies the spirit of the Four Way Test. Newby's Teacher of the Year is TARA ROMERO.
TARA has participated in the Rotary Wine & Art Auction in the past, and hopes her students grow up to be like Rotarians. She revealed to the club her teacher's “bag of tricks.” It includes a picture of herself in fourth grade, to remind her students that she was once like them; band aids, which can help even if there's no blood; Excedrin Migraine (for her!); her faith; a notebook in which for her to write, as she teaches her students to write; a picture of her teaching friends for support; and a hat or something fun to remind her to be just that.

Wascher Elementary School

PRINCIPAL KYRA DONOVAN stated that her teacher applies her skills to create a family in her classroom, giving the same amount of love to each and every student. Wascher's Teacher of the Year is CARISSA DEYOUNG.

CARISSA explained why she is a teacher. When she was 17, she became pregnant, giving birth to a wonderful baby boy. The past fifteen years have been a struggle, however. She had people tell her that she could never become what she wanted to be because she was a teen mother. She thanked Rotary for supporting students and education in the community. She was honored to be recognized for her passion – these children are our future.

Duniway Middle School 

 

PRINCIPAL CATHY CARNAHAN this past week had students write notes to teachers sharing why they appreciate them. She read several that were written to her Teacher of the Year, RYAN CHAMBERS.

RYAN took the podium wearing a football jersey
 

McMinnville High School

Principal Dr. Kris Olsen introduced their Teacher of the Year DAVID SEWALL, who will retire at the end of this school year. He started at MHS as a science teacher in 1993. He is meticulous, organized, funny, and hold his students to the highest standards. Kris has had a couple of children go through his classes, and he doesn't think they every worked harder.

DAVID shared that in his first year at Mac High, he was asked to teach “Science 1.” What is that? He had to figure it out. He recognizes that students want to learn. In Chemistry, he has very bright kids, and he helps them understand that it's OK to make mistakes; they don't have to be perfect. That is how they learn. He is proud of both his students and the faculty. He also acknowledged his mentor, former MHS science teacher Larry Fischer, who taught him that if the kids are upset, it's not at you, and that if they aren't learning, you as a teacher have to do something about it.

Rotary eClub of District 3310 - Singapore

Rotary eClub of London Centenary - London (Zone 18 - 1120)

Rotary eClub of District 3450 - Hong Kong

Rotary eClub of Southwest - Arizona (Zone 25 - 5510)

Rotary eClub of District 5450 - Colorado (Rotary eClub One charter)

Rotary eClub of Tampa Bay - Florida, Georgia, Caribbean Islands (Zone 34 - 6950)

Rotary eClub of District 7890 - Connecticut

Rotary eClub of Zente-Hellenas - Greece (Zone  10-2470) in English or Greek