Stories

Rotary Scholarships Applications Accepted Through May 5, 2018

Teton Valley Rotarians introduced Armando Ortiz-Padilla, son of Blanca Gpe. Padilla Tovar and Armando Ortiz-Savcedo, as January Student of the Month at their January 21 meeting.  Armando was selected for his strong character, his willingness to serve others and his ability to keep his eye to the future.

Armando returned to Teton High School this year from Mexico where he had been living with his parents.  Having been born in the United States, Armando wanted to complete his secondary and post secondary education here.  He plans to major in engineering and/or architecture.  At Teton High School he is active in the Latino Club, enjoys playing football. His favorite class is math.

Rotary congratulates Armando, January Student of the Month.

Make sure to invite all of your friends and family members.

Your contribution to Teton Valley Rotary Foundation during the Tin Cup funding drive makes an impact on many students’ lives.  Please join us again this year in making a difference! ​ Click here to donate now!

Educational Opportunities Through Scholarships.  In May, 2014, Teton Valley Rotary was able to award 13 scholarships to students heading for their first year of college or continuing their education at an advanced institution.  Here’s what some had to say:

My freshman year of college was incredibly enlightening, exploratory, and fun. . I participated in the Honors Program at Westminster, applied for and was accepted as RA (resident advisor) on campus for 2014-15 school year, and participated with the slam poetry club as musical support, even being featured at one slam.  The Rotary scholarship made a huge impact on my freshman year of college! …Riley Hodgson

Daniela Olivas returned to speak to Rotarians about her research studies in Biochemistry at Boise State University where she was accepted as an intern to INBRE (IdeA Network Research of Biomedical Research Excellence).  Her Rotary Phyllis Morey scholarship allowed her to purchase expensive text books to accompany her science major and her leadership experience with Rotary’s Interact while at Teton High School prepared her for further on-campus organizations focused on helping others.

Utah State is a great school, and between exceptional professors, school pride in all athletic events, and meeting people from all over the place, I had a great freshman year!  Scholarships allow Teton students the financial advantage of attending school without taking out large loans which is an incredible blessing.  I’m looking forward to continuing meeting new people, learning more, and growing as a person. 

Funding Focused on Literacy.  

Teton Valley Rotary joined with other valley nonprofits, including the Education Association, in kicking off the school year with the annual “back pack” program supplying school supplies to underserved students. (Did you know that over 50% of our students qualify for the reduced lunch program offered by the federal government?)

AND…We initiated a new program to give every first grader a CHOICE in what they read by supplying vouchers to each student allowing them to attend their school’s book fair and select their own books.  This program was received enthusiastically by both students and teachers.

Leadership.   In 2013 we sent four THS freshmen to RYLA, Rotary’s Youth Leadership Development Program.  This year we’re sending five!  These students return to school in the fall energized and ready to lead their peers in service and accomplishment.

Spring Teacher Appreciation Luncheon at middle and high school – if only you had been there to see the smiles on their faces, you’d know how valuable this simple luncheon was.  Our teachers work so hard!

Your contribution to Teton Valley Rotary Foundation during the Tin Cup funding drive makes an impact on many students’ lives.  Please join us again this year in making a difference! Click here to donate now!

Rotary is currently recruiting annual sponsors who will be recognized at our events as supporters of all of our great service projects. The sponsorships span from July 2014 to June 2015 and may be billed in 2 installments. Download the sponsorship form from the left bar or contact Aaron Jenkins at 208-399-6711. 

The Rotary Club of Teton Valley recently provided each first grade student at Driggs, Tetonia and Victor Elementary schools a new book as part of a local literacy project, one of the many important areas of focus for Rotarians worldwide.

Rotary International designated March as Literacy Month, encouraging clubs around the world to engage in projects promoting literacy. Teton Valley’s Rotary Club chose to put books into the hands of local children, inspiring them to read at home, to promote a love of reading for years to come. By allowing students to choose their own book, something they were personally interested in, the club hoped to help motivate them to read over the summer and continue building their reading skills. “The 1st graders were absolutely delighted to know someone had bought them a book. Choosing the best book was an exciting adventure for them,” shared Jannifer Cooke, principal at Tetonia and Victor Elementary Schools.

Dues for Teton Valley's Rotary Club are billed quarterly and include District 5440 dues and Rotary International dues. Members are also encouraged to make a voluntary contribution of $100 annually to the Rotary International Annual Programs Fund, making them a Sustaining Member. We have two different dues options, including a discounted option for non-profit organization leaders, retired individuals and spouses of Rotarians.

• Membership Dues Including All Lunches: $150/Quarter
• Discounted Membership Dues Including All Lunches: $125/Quarter
• Membership Dues with Pay As You Go Lunches: $100/Quarter
• Discounted Membership Dues with Pay As You Go Lunches: $50/Quarter

* Discounted memberships are available for non-profit organization leaders, retired individuals, and spouses of Rotarians. Weekly lunches are prepared by the Senior Center and are available for $10.

For more information on membership, click here. 

Our club recently donated thirty backpacks valued at $540 to local elementary students through a joint effort with the Teton Valley Education Foundation, Subs for Santa and a grant from Silver Star Communications. The Teton Valley Education Foundation spearheads the program, providing school supplies and backpacks for underprivileged youngsters headed back to school. Diane Temple, Executive Director for TVEF, recently joined Rotarians to celebrate the effort. 

Former Teton High student, Daniela Olivas, spoke at Rotary Club of Teton Valley’s luncheon this week about her studies and a research project she worked on the past year. Olivas was a Rotary scholarship recipient and active member in the high school’s Interact club.

Each year Teton Valley’s local Rotary club hosts between 8-10 students throughout the school year, each presenting on their experience in high school, their successes, challenges, involvement in school as well as contribution to their community. Daniela was one of these students who was chosen as a final scholarship recipient. Olivas was a recipient of a $4000 Rotary Phyllis Morey scholarship, available to students of at least fifty percent Hispanic heritage. Rotary has donated over $40,000 in scholarships to Teton Valley senior students since the program began. Olivas is just one of these students, and based on her presentation - she shows a bright and promising future.

We recently celebrated our outgoing 2012-2013 Board of Directors and welcomed  the incoming members, we also had the opportunity to recognize one of our new members as Rotarian of the Year. During our annual dinner, we celebrated the board service contributed by Wayne Maness, President; Darla Neeley, Treasurer; and Isabel Waddell, Past President during the 2012-2013 year. We also welcomed the new Board of Directors for 2013-2014: 

• President, Aaron Jenkins
  
• President-Elect, Robert Heneage
  
• Vice President, Carrie Gorgacz
  
• Treasurer, Jennifer Brannen
  
• Secretary, Christi Lundberg-Bleffert
  
• Sergeant at Arms, Jim Schulz and Brian Gibson
  
• Past President, Wayne Maness

In celebration of Rotary International’s Literacy Month, Teton Valley’s Rotary Club is kicking off a book drive for local elementary students in Kindergarten through third grade now through March 22^nd. The goal of the project is to promote early literacy by making books part of a healthy childhood, getting more books into the homes of children.

The Rotary Club of Teton Valley is currently accepting applications from incoming sophomore high school students for a youth leadership summer program. Rotary will be sponsoring at least 3 high school students from Teton Valley to attend the 2013 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) camp held at Luccock Park Camp, south of Livingston, Montana, July 9-13, 2013.

The students who have attended RYLA in the past have expressed great gratitude and felt they made lifelong friends through an experience changed their lives. Applicants who exemplify strong leadership skills or potential are selected by regional Rotary Clubs to attend this 5-day leadership camp. Applicants must currently be in the freshman class. The camp consists of presentations by outstanding motivational speakers, leadership activities and discussion groups directed by adult Rotarian Facilitators.

The Rotary Club of Teton Valley has committed funds to support a local group aiming to improve literacy in Teton Valley, one of Rotary International’s “Areas of Focus.” At a recent Rotary luncheon, the club’s Board voted to donate $600 as seed money to help the group get started. 

Several local Teton Valley Rotarians joined as a team to shovel, saw, and shape snow into a giant Peace symbol representing Rotary's mission. The event took place in Downtown Driggs in January, during freezing temps of course, and these hearty volunteers dedicated several chilly hours to promoting Peace and Service. The kids seemed to really enjoy climbing through the structure during the event and hopefully also took in its meaning. 

Visit our Facebook site for more photos!

Thanks to Gil Hundley, Executive Director for Teton Valley Foundation for presenting to Rotary today. Gil updated the club on the great progress the non-profit is making at the Kotler Ice Arena, with much of their funding coming from the organization's popular music series, Music on Main. 

Gil also spoke on the Teton Adaptive Sports program at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Grand Targhee Resort, a great program designed to promote and support sports and recreation opportunities for people with disabilities living in and visiting the Greater Teton Area. 

The Rotary Club of Teton Valley welcome Patti Burr as our newest member. A nurse at St John's Hospital and resident of Teton Valley of over 18 years with a great interest in humanitarian projects, Patti is a welcome addition to our club. 

It's time again for the Teton Valley Rotary 4 Way Test Essay Contest!

Download the Flyer Here: 4 Way Test Essay Flyer

The Community of Lougouana in the Region of Koutiala - Sikasso (Republic of Mali) has 10,000 inhabitants scattered across its compound of7 villages and distant hamlets.
The community faces strong access issues to its health care facilities located in the Capital Village of Léléni as well as specialized health care services outside the community because of distance, bad road conditions and lack of medical vehicle.
The Rotary Clubs of Teton Valley (USA) and Bamako Koulouba (Mali) have joined their effort in a District Grant donation of a Motoambulance which will facilitate:
- affordable medical transport;
- better emergency transport handling like difficult pregnancies and birth deliveries;
- Patient transport from distant hamlets and villages to the community health care facilities;
- Patient transport from the community health care facilities to specialized ones: the clinic of Karangasso and the regional hospital of Koutiala.

With the motoambulance in the background, a photo showing from left to right: the community representatives team leader, the President of the Rotaract club Cheick CISSE, President Hélène Assa CAMARA, Assistant Governor Nafanga DEMBELE and future Interactor Matteo DEMBELE.

Interior of the motoambulance allowing for caregiver, patient, and supplies.

Our team had a great time creating this piece for the Great Snow Fest snow sculpturing contest. Thanks to Bob & So La Mee Heneage, Dan & Patti Burr, Todd Place and our sponsor Isabel Waddell.

Teton Valley Rotarians introduced Armando Ortiz-Padilla, son of Blanca Gpe. Padilla Tovar and Armando Ortiz-Savcedo, as January Student of the Month at their January 21 meeting.  Armando was selected for his strong character, his willingness to serve others and his ability to keep his eye to the future.

Armando returned to Teton High School this year from Mexico where he had been living with his parents.  Having been born in the United States, Armando wanted to complete his secondary and post secondary education here.  He plans to major in engineering and/or architecture.  At Teton High School he is active in the Latino Club, enjoys playing football. His favorite class is math.

Rotary congratulates Armando, January Student of the Month.

Share with all your friends and family.

The morning of July 5th featured the first “annual” Rotary Ducks in the Ditch race in the irrigation ditch ending in front of Kings.  Five hundred eager rubber duckys entered the ditch above the Broken Spur and crossed the finish line a little over 6 minutes later in front of King’s.  The race was fast and furious with spectators getting as excited as if it were the Kentucky Derby!  Separating from the pack to finish in first and second place were ducks sponsored by Jim Schulz (1st across) and Jenny Child (2nd across).  Closer to the pack were third and fourth place finishers sponsored by Taylor Watson and Debbie Hunt.  Prizes will be awarded at Wednesday’s Rotary meeting with first place receiving $500, 2nd place a rubber raft donated by King’s, and 3rd and 4th taking home Silverstar back packs.  The race was streamed live with energized narrative provided by John Erbou and can be viewed on the Rotary website:  www.tetonvalleyrotary.com.  Proceeds from the race will go toward building a fund for a community stage in front of the City Center. The spectators and Rotarians are already looking forward to a bigger, faster, and more exciting event next year.

Teton Valley Rotary focuses on service to the community and the world.  The Ducks in the Ditch project will be held annually to raise funds for civic projects while Tin Cup donations to Teton Valley Rotary Foundation will be directed to valley youth for scholarships, literacy and leadership.  Over $13,500 in scholarships were awarded to this year’s graduating seniors and college scholars. 

Rotary meets Wednesdays at noon at the Senior Center.  Interested community members and visiting Rotarians are invited to join a Wednesday meeting for a delicious lunch prepared by Chef Sue Cicero.

Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream

One of Teton Valley Rotary's greatest contributions to the Teton Valley community is our annual scholarship program. This program was started as one of the Club's first projects and has continued and grown over the years, supporting local students pursuing higher education. 

Each year we gift thousands of dollars to local students who apply through our scholarship program. We feature a Student of the Month, invite them to join us for lunch and celebrate their success. These bright, entertaining young men and women present to the club and most often inspire us all. 

Scott Anderson, one of our newer members, has taken on the great task of coordinating the scholarship program. 

In addition to our local scholarships, we have donated dictionaries to elementary schools, supported both incoming and outgoing foreign exchange students, and sent youngsters to Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (Rotary's leadership training program for young people). 

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