Our guest speaker on Friday, June 22nd was Neil Proff, Director of Bands at Lake Stevens High School since 2006. Neil has a unique background in music starting with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Band & Choir Music Education from Central Washington University in 2002. From there to the American Band College of Southern Oregon University receiving his Master's Degree in Instrumental Music Education and Conducting in 2009. Neil received his National Board Certification in 2012 and currently serves as Music Facilitator and Subject Matter Expert at the University of Washington's National Board program.

 

Neil was named Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 2012 by the Washington Association of School Administrators and a Lake Stevens School District Apple Award winner in the spring of 2007 and again in 2018. Since 2004, he has served as the director and lead alto of the Eastside Modern Jazz Orchestra and since 2016 the lead tenor of the Northwest Jazz Conspiracy.

 

At Lake Stevens High School, he teaches zero hour Jazz Band 1, Music Appreciation and History, the Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, and Class Guitar. In addition, he directs the Marching Band, Pep Band, Percussion Ensemble, Drumline and dabbles in audio production on the side. Neil oversees the School District's recruitment program affectionately labeled Little Viking Band Days and Little Viking Band camp.

 

Neil has so much to offer for the School District, the Lake Stevens High School and the community. Listening to Neil talk about all that he does, brings to mind, there isn't enough time in the 24 hour day. He is blessed with a loving family. His wife is a former Communications Officer in the Navy and is now a technical writer and presenter at Miscosoft. Three sons, which include identical twin brothers. We look forward to hearing from Neil again about his award winning programs involving music at all levels within the school district and high school.

Our guest speaker on Friday, June 15th was David George Brooke who has held audiences spellbound with his story of survival and how to re-focus and re-frame your life after numerous tragedies and traumatic events. David lost his wife when his two boys were 4 and 14. They are now 24 & 34 and the love of his life.

 

In order to change your focus and frame your life, you have to get rid of the crap in your brain to focus on gratitude. Clean out  your brain. He asked our Club members to do an exercise by describing your Rotary partner, read what you said about them and exchange the cards and look at the words that describe you. "Why do we hear so much about ourselves from others but are really hard on ourselves?"

 

He is a book author and sells "The Brooke's Daily Gratitude Journal and has a weekly video that he encouraged our members to sign up for free. David gave our Club a very inspiring talk about the joys and benefits of gratitude in our daily lives. Writing a daily gratitude diary will retrain and refocus  your life and the quality of life according to David.

Rebecca, President and Savannah, Vice President of our Interact Club were special guests at our meeting on Friday, June 15th. The two were at our Club to give an overview of the recent activities of our Interact Club. Over 512 hours of community service with a large part co-partnering with our Club on tree planting, street and park clean up, National Night Out and Halloween plus numerous other projects such as their textile collection campaign that raised some funds for our Club.

 

Our Interact Club had an awesome year under the leadership of these two seniors who graduated on June 1st. Savannah's sister will be the president of our Interact Club next year. To show our gratitude, President Randy Celori presented each of them with a $250 gift card to be used as they transition to college. Most impressive year. Thanks to Kristin Odegaard, for providing leadership and guidance to the Interact Club as an member of our Club and as an Advisor.