Peter Garcia Jr. shared a deeply  personal Classification Talk tracing his path from growing up in Kane'ohe, HI through a 31-year banking career to finding Seniors Helping Seniors. Peter reflected on family dynamics, the grounding influence of his wife, and the emotional weight of illness and fear while eventually finding purpose and community through and caregiving and connections such as Auntie Amelia at the Lake Stevens Senior Center to joining Rotary. His philosphy focuses on connection through lived experiences and hiring caregivers 50 and older to better relate to seniors. From Hawaii to California, New York the Phillipines and back to New York eventually coming to the Pacific Northwest and Lake Stevens.

This is how you get to know your fellow Rotarian and what drives them in personal, professional and family life.

Kyle Sylliaasen was our second Member Classification Talk presentation. Raised in Granite Falls and moving in his early 20's to Shanghai and on to Taiwan. Fram a narrated culture shock and humility and his evolving idenity as a teacher where he met his wife and the decision to return to the Pacific Northwest.Kyle highlighed the richness of Taiwan, its beautiful landscapes and the people sharing stories from his family, particularly his grandfather-in-law who lives through the Japanese invasion of Shanghai. Although a teacher at heart, Kyle's passion besides family is his career with New York Life. Kyle is married with a small boy who brings joy to the family household.