Our guest speaker on Friday, January 9th was Ryanna Cook, the current Mrs. Washington. A Lake Stevens resident, an Ambassador to the Bridge Receiving Center and Creator Zone who has worked with an organization in Kenya since 2014. Mrs. Washington's rein ends in March. It took her promoters eight times to convince her to run. Last March she vied for the National Mrs. America title at the Westgate Hotel in Las Vegas, but didn't finish in the top 15. The sparkles of being Mrs. Washington has helped energize and open doors for her and the many organizations that she is involved with.

Our guest speaker on Friday, December 19th was Keenan Solomon, Program Director, Hero House, Everett. The program started in the 1940's. The program empowers individuals to have a sense of purpose, employment and housing. The program is more of a holistic approach for their members. Members are referred to as club members.  A work order day involves members working side by side making lunch, working on grants and advocating for the Hero House. The center is located close to the Everett Community College which is helpful for their members who want to return to school. Membership is life-long without any restrictions and everything is voluntary.

There are four Club Houses in the State of Washington. There are employment specialists on site to help members with their employment opportunities. There are club house events every Thursday night such as movie night, going to a restaurant and so much more. Hero House-Everett started in 2019. Looking for Rotary members to join their Advisory Board.

Benjamin James, older brother of our Program Director Kendra Pinkelman was out guest speaker, talking about the Mental Health Crisis in Nursing. Benjamin thanked our Club members for their support when they lost their home in a major California fire. Code Blue is the subject of his crisis in nursing and the lack of assistance from a mental health professional. From photographer, designer and studying humans the past 20 years, he decided to go to college and become a social worker. Benjamin wants to focus on our own pain due to the center of the storm are what nurses and health care professionals are experiencing. Over 60% of nurses are experiencing abuses and burn-out.