Minutes For Rotary Club of Wichita Falls,
September 17, 2026, by Michael Saville
September 17, 2026, by Michael Saville
President Greg called the meeting to order right at noon, and Dave
Hartman offered the invocation. Cara Sauceda then came forward
and led us in the Pledge to the Flag. We all joined in a cappella as
Cara led us in singing “Edelweiss.” We then greeted each other in
Rotary fashion.
Hartman offered the invocation. Cara Sauceda then came forward
and led us in the Pledge to the Flag. We all joined in a cappella as
Cara led us in singing “Edelweiss.” We then greeted each other in
Rotary fashion.
We had no visitors this week, and Judy and Cara both gave us
personal updates for the Sunshine Report. Noros then made the
Brag Bucket rounds after sharing that his granddaughter had
finished first in a fishing tournament. Will highlighted his son on the
JV football team as they look forward to a successful season.
Judy then came forward with her bag of homemade cinnamon rolls
for all the members present with September birthdays. Debbie Bigot,
Dave Hartman, David Adams, James Hughes, and Judy herself
were recognized. James was then the winning bidder in the popular
“unclaimed cinnamon roll auction.”
This week, Brycen Whitaker honored our Youth of the Month for
September. Brycen introduced us to 16-year-old Elijah Berry as our
YOTM. Elijah is an 11th grader at City View High School, where
math is his favorite subject. He is extremely involved in school, his
Northwest Boys & Girls Club, and the community, where he is
developing into a remarkable young leader. He shared that “what
you put into the world comes back to you” is his guiding principle.
Congrats, Elijah!
President Greg then shared several announcements from the Board
meeting held earlier in the week. We were sorry to hear that Jon
Dearolf had resigned due to personal issues but glad to hear that
David Adams was approved and accepted the president-elect
position, filling Jon’s vacancy for next year. Greg reminded new
members that the next Board meeting is Nov. 18 and that
attendance gives credit toward attaining the “Blue Badge.”
David Adams gave an update on the Sept. 11 flag day,
indicating that the club had put out a little over 1,300 flags. He
thanked everyone for their support of the flag program, which
serves as our primary fundraiser. Our last flag day of the year
indicating that the club had put out a little over 1,300 flags. He
thanked everyone for their support of the flag program, which
serves as our primary fundraiser. Our last flag day of the year
will be Nov. 11 (Veterans Day). David also sent around a sign-
up sheet for the upcoming Polio Walk on Oct. 24, and Greg
up sheet for the upcoming Polio Walk on Oct. 24, and Greg
reminded everyone that we still needed donations to reach the
ShelterBox goal.
ShelterBox goal.
Cara then introduced Toni Alanzo, Executive Director, and
Atzhiri Acosta, Quality Assurance Specialist, for Communities
In Schools of the Greater Wichita Falls Area to present the
day’s program. Communities In Schools is the nation’s largest
organization dedicated to decreasing the dropout rate and
keeping kids in school. They have presence in more than
3,500 schools across 30 states and Washington, D.C.,
including here in Wichita Falls.
Their goal is to ensure every student has what they need to
realize their potential in school and beyond. They do this by
placing site coordinators in schools and developing
relationships that help transform young people’s lives. Their
three-tier model involves targeted interventions for small
groups of students and intensive one-on-one support for
students when needed.
They are holding their annual fundraiser, the “Gingerbread
Jubilee,” on Nov. 19 at the Kemp Center for the Arts. Watch
for more details as the holiday season approaches.
Greg thanked the presenters and told them the club would be
making a donation to Wichita Falls ISD for their program today.
We then closed the meeting with the Four-Way Test and
adjourned.