59th Annual Promotion / Demotion Dinner

Out-going President Greg Buckner selected John Berg as his Rotarian of the year for 2012-2013.

Dr. Greg Buckner, PHS Principal, is a busy man with a demanding job, but he made time for Rotary.  He gave us real insight into Paramount High School.

We continued to have outstanding programs made better ---- Scholarship Awards Luncheon—RYLA and the Student Forum.

Art contest (district winner Benjamin Rocha), Speech contest (district second place winner Brandon Desqueria) and the Music contest.

Greg also showed us more— We took a field trip to visit the newly constructed buildings and see classes in action— saw performances by the Funk & Jazz Band and the Cream of Crop members of the Choir – Had Col. Robert Guild tell us about JROTC and head football coach Matt Howard brought 3 of his stars to Rotary.

He had his boss (Dr. David Verdugo) tell us about the state of PUSD and his trip to China.

He brought in other experts.  Dr. Damon Dragos on Economics 101, Michael Conroy on the Education Budget and Samuel San Miguel to tell us about alternative education for students with problems.

It wasn’t just  about Education.

He passed the test when District Governor, Lew Bertrand, and company visited the club. Had a successful fund raiser with the Golf Tournament. Saw his club capture the District Go Kart championship and spread a joyous Christmas to needy families plus provide happy feet for 30 students. He also added new member Mary Jane Villalovos.

And he brought in some interesting programs:  Got physical with Daisy “The Lady” Lang; had a lesson on self-defense from Gary Endo;  heard the real stuff about the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; got the inside info from City Mgr. Linda Benedetti-Leal; what really happened with the F-117A stealth fighter from Col. J.T. Sink;  learned the truth about “fat in the blood” from Dr. Richard Glassock; and what was more fun than “Tales from Toadsuck”?

Finally, he led the club gracefully in the passing of Mike Boersma.

New officers and directors for the year 2013-2014 were installed.  We will have a President for every season, Summer - Teri Mouren-Laurens, Autumn - John Boogaard, Winter - Matt Wagner and Spring - John Berg.