October's Student of the Month is Stephanie Kim. In addition to her academic strengths (3rd in her class) and being involved in many high school activities on her path to study Pre Med, Stephanie founded a small jewelry shop online raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's disease.
Former Sycamore resident Samantha Shackleton discusses the impact the organization she co-founded, Entepesi Kenya, in a part of the world in desperate need of better healthcare.
The Rotary Club's Student of the Month for October is Stephanie Kim.
Stephanie, daughter to Sooyoun and Insop, is a senior at Sycamore High School. She is also earning credits at Kishwaukee Community College as she completes a Basic Nurse Assistant Certification Program. Stephanie is ranked 3rd in her class and has been on Honor Roll for her entire high school career. She plans to study Pre Med at the University of Illinois or Northwestern University.
Stephanie is a Senior Class Officer and a member of Honors Orchestra, Volleyball Team, and several clubs. She also founded a small jewelry shop online on Etsy to sell handmade jewelry to raise awareness for Alzheimer's disease and funds for the Alzheimer's Association.
In recognition of being named Student of the Month, Stephanie received a $100 check from our club to donate to a charity of her choosing. She planned to donate the funds to Opportunity House.
Entepesi Kenya began with three of the four founders attending medical camp and seeing the large gaps in healthcare. Together, the four had the idea to serve Kenyan communities with quality healthcare through partnerships with the Ministry of Health. In 2021, Entepesi Kenya was officially registered as an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) in Kenya. Our speaker this week, Samantha Shackleton, is one of the four founders, as well as a former resident of Sycamore.
The area served by Entepesi Kenya has a population of 1.4M people, but just one nurse per 1,068, one public health staff member per 7,619, and one doctor per 26K. In just its third year as an NGO, the organization is making significant impacts in serving this population. Following are some details for 2023:
15 medical outreaches & education events
2268 people diagnosed & treated for basic diseases
1706 females given education on sexual health
3497 packs of sanitary pads donated
113 staff receiving continuing education on health topics
58 community members trained on mental health
4 stakeholder meetings for county development
20 hypertension education & screening events
731 people screened for hypertension
The organization is hoping to continue expanding its work in the above areas, but also to invest in the creation of a cancer research and treatment center, a resource not currently availability to residents. Those inspired to support Entepesi Kenya's efforts can make a donation through their website (www.entepesikeyna.org/donate) using PayPal or by mailing a check to Samantha, Shackleton, 497 Charleston Drive, New Lenox, IL 60451.
October 2, 1869 – Indian political and spiritual leader Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi is born in Porbandar, India.
October 4, 1822 – 19th U. S. President Rutherford B. Hayes is born in Delaware, Ohio. He is known for the phrase, “He serves his party best who serves his country best.”
October 5, 1830 – 21st U. S. President Chester A. Arthur is born in Fairfield, Vermont.
October 6, 1846 – Engineer and inventor George Westinghouse is born in Central Ridge, New York. He developed air brakes for trains and later promoted the adoption of alternating current (AC) systems for electric power transmission.
October 1, 1908 – Henry Ford introduces his Model T to the public and sells it for the mass market at a price of $825. More 15-million would be sold before production ended in 1927 by which time the price had dropped to $260.
October 1, 1975 – In “The Thrilla in Manila”, Muhammad Ali stops Joe Frazier in 14 rounds in the Philippines to retain his WBC/WBA heavyweight title.
October 4, 1957 – The Space Age begins as the Russians launch the first satellite into orbit. Sputnik I weighed just 184 pounds and transmitted a beeping signal for 21 days.
October 6, 1927 – “The Jazz Singer” starring Al Jolson is released becoming the first full-length feature film using spoken dialogue.
Birthdays & Club Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Heidi Wright
April 3
Clifford Golden
April 6
Nicole Linke
April 18
Troy Oates
April 22
Join Date
James Lehan
April 3, 2018
6 years
John Peterson
April 3, 2018
6 years
Jonathan Crail
April 3, 2018
6 years
Larry Sill
April 3, 2018
6 years
Linda Sherman
April 3, 2018
6 years
Nancy Castle
April 3, 2018
6 years
Nicole Linke
April 3, 2018
6 years
Sally Stevens
April 3, 2018
6 years
Steven Johnson
April 3, 2018
6 years
Lawrence Sallberg
April 4, 2018
6 years
Alicia Cosky
April 5, 2023
1 year
Jeffrey Jacobson
April 10, 2000
24 years
Brad Hoey
April 12, 2018
6 years
Christine Kalina
April 12, 2018
6 years
Dorothy Stoddard
April 12, 2018
6 years
Janice Docherty
April 12, 2018
6 years
Jim Walter
April 12, 2018
6 years
Tim Neubert
April 18, 2018
6 years
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS, 2023-2024
President – Brandon Diviak
President Elect – Steve Wilder
Director (President Nominee) – Jonelle Bailey
Director (President Designee) - Becky Springer
Past President – Tim Neubert
Treasurer – Dr. Michele Jurkovic
Secretary – Sally Bruch
Sergeant at Arms – Paulette Renault
Monthly Committees
July: Board of Directors
August: Jeff Keicher, Brandon Diviak, Pat Shafer
September: Dave Hamilton, Jeff Jacobson, Jim Stoddard
October: Paul Callighan, Matt Nelson, Paul Stromborg
November: Sue Emberson, Jeff Frank, Heidi Wright
December: Paul Barnaby, Larry Berke, Riley Oncken
January: Ray Dembinski, Joyce Klein, Rob Mondi, Tim Neubert
Membership: Jonelle Bailey, Ray Dembinski, Bob Hammon, Steve Kuhn, Jeff Petersen, Bob Wildendradt, Jeff Jacobson, Brandon Diviak, Matt Nelson, Riley Oncken
Public Image: Bob Brown, Paul Callighan, Jeff Keicher, Joyce Klein, Tasha Sims
Fellowship: Paulette Renault, Pat Shafer, Sally Bruch, Sue Emberson, Dave Hamilton, Paul Barnaby, Larry Berke
Service: Brandon Diviak, Jeff Frank, Michele Jurkovic, Rob Mondi, Brendan Wilson, Heidi Wright, Alicia Cosky, Tim Neubert
Foundations: Jim Buck, Sue Emberson, Matt Nelson, Jim Stoddard, Paul Stromborg
New Generations: Chip Houdek, Julie Sgarlata, Becky Springer, Steve Wilder
Scholarships: Tim Neubert, Julie Sgarlata, Ray Dembinski, Steve Kuhn, Michele Jurkovic, Don Clayberg
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