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Posted by Brad Beasley
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 Beasley's Bits
Rotarians
The weather has definitely started to cool down, but the activities of the Rio Grande Rotary Club are definitely heating up. We have started the Rotary year with some great speakers; from an explosive discussion about volcanos, caring stories about horse therapy, information about public radio, and the issues around Elephant Butte.
I was most excited about the return of the students from the local high schools. I wish, at times, we could all re-kindle the fire and zest for life that these students have. I remember when I had dreams of being an aero-space engineer, living somewhere other than Las Cruces, and changing the world. Well, I was not smart enough to be an engineer, but little did I realize that I could change the world (or at least our part of it) by staying in Las Cruces, and joining Rotary. We should all be proud of the work we do and should continue to strive for different avenues of service.
Good luck in your activities this month. We will continue to make the meetings fun and informative.
Thank you.
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Posted by Ross M. Burkhardt
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 Mariachis in Mesillaby Ross M. Burkhardt
October 1, 2013
Around the historic plaza
(Remember 1854?)
Crowds gathered in Mesilla
As in the days of yore.
Violins and trumpets,
Strumming guitars at hand,
There, in full regalia,
Stood a mariachi band.
Silver-spangled jackets
Glinted in the sun.
Familiar festive music
Performed for everyone.
Under leafy shade trees,
Some in folding chairs
And others in the stands applauded
Traditional fanfares.
A booming PA system
Filled the festive air;
Soaring vocal solos
Echoed everywhere.
Attentive audience members
On Sunday afternoon
Mouthed the memorable lyrics
Of a traditional tune.
Singers weaved notes with voices
In practiced harmony,
Honoring the heritage
Of our community.
In Rotary, we’re for service
And reciprocity.
Mariachis in Mesilla
Would certainly agree.
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FIRST HOST FAMILY AND TRIP TO THE CAVERNS
Paul Villain, Ken & Peter Martin at the Carlsbad Caverns National Park
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Recently the LCRGRC Youth Exchange first family took Paul Villain, the French exchange student, to Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Paul was amazed at the enormus caverns and configurations. As the photo shows, they were all prepared for the cool underground, especially coming from the warmth of Las Cruces. Although he has only been here a month he has indicated how much he likes Las Cruces. Host father, Ken Martin reported to the club that Paul had scored his first goal for the Mayfield High JV Soccor Team with a header. To relate to a former music trio; Peter, Paul & Mary (& Ken) are having a good exchange together. On Monday, September 23, Paul was the guest of Dave & Ronnie Wright for the Aggies volleyball game with the Lobos. We won't discuss the outcome, but he enjoyed the volleyball game as well.
Anytime you have an activity to share with an exchange student, Paul is available. It is the goal of the exchange program to give these students many different cultural experiences in our country. Such activities can be arranged through Ken Martin or Ronnie Wright.
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Important Dates and Events:
November 29, 2013
Thanksgiving
"Dress The Child" Shopping Nights
November 3, Old Navy, 6 p.m.
November 10, Old Navy, 10 a.m.
November 17, Sear's, 6:30 p.m.
December 8, Kohl's, 6 p.m.
December 14, 2013
Annual "Dress The Child" Holiday dinner and silent auction.
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Posted by Chris May
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Service Above Self.... On October 5, 2013 Las Cruces Rio Grande Rotary Club members met for a yard sale pickup. Chub Foreman, Richard Williams, Pam Lillibridge, Diane Indorf, Jan Wimsatt and Chris May rolled up their sleeves and made four stops to pick up items for the annual yard sale. The proceeds will benefit Mesilla Valley Hospice and members will get a meeting make-up for this service. The success of the yard sale depends partly on the "stuff" or "treasures" the club picks up during the year. If you didn't make this one, there will be another pick-up in the month of November. Watch for the announcement of the date.
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October 15, 2013 is the LCRG Rotary Club's designated meeting day for Tough Enough To Wear Pink. Be sure and wear pink for that meeting. This was one of Past DG Mark Glen's pet projects last year. The Aggie football game for TETWP is Saturday, October 19 against Rice.
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"Are You Tough Enough to Wear Pink?" was first asked during the 2006 Wrangler National Rodeo Finals as rodeo participants and sponsors were asked to raise money for breast cancer research. With this inspiration in 2007, a NCAA college football version of the Wrangler rodeo event was created at New Mexico State University. Since then more than $2 million in cash and in-kind contributions have been raised and "NMSU Aggies Are Tough Enough to Wear Pink" campaign has become the largest event of its kind in the world!
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Future Rotarians
President Brad Beasley with Student Rotarians for month of September
Allison Denny, Centennial High School, Rachel Summers, Onate High School.
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Students of the Month - & Future Rotarians
Rachel Summers and Allison Denny were selected as students of the month and made their final presentations to the Las Cruces - Rio Grand Rotary Club on September 24. Both students are outstanding 11th graders and now become eligible for three scholarships awarded by the Las Cruces - Rio Grande Rotary Club at the end of this school year. The scholarships are $250, $500 & $1,000 and are awarded to three students choosen from this year's students of the month.
Rachel is in the 11th grade at Onate High School and is the daughter of John Jr. and Coryle Summers. Her father is retired Air Force and her mother is a nurse. She is active in band, honor society and is taking dual credit and honors classes. She is also active in her church and likes to read and hang out with her family. Her future plans are to go to ENMU and become a teacher.
Allison is in the 11th grade at Centennial High School and is the daughter of Lloyd and Marian Denny. Her father is a systems engineer and her mom is a substitute teacher. She plays the violin and piano and has lettered in orchestra. Allison is active in her church and Girl Scouts. She has earned the Silver Award in Girl Scouts and is going for the Gold Award, which is the highest level. She enjoys camping with her family and hopes to visit all the National Parks. Her favorite pasttimes are reading, listening to music, and photography. Her future plans are to go to college and become a vet or start a museum.
Students are selected from each of the area high schools in various ways, but usually identified by an AES counselor and recommended by teachers. The students are selected from the 11th grade for their academics, community involvement, school involvement, leadership and teamwork skills. The monthly selected students attend a weekly Rotary meeting, make a short presentation on the last meeting of the month, and then are eligible to submit an essay at the end of the school year. The essays are evaluated and the top 3 are awarded scholarships and are named "Future Rotarians". Their senior year they are invited, and are guests, at any of the club's regular meetings. The scholarships are $1,000, $500 & $250.
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 Centennial High School Juniors at RYLA
Six Centennial High School juniors spent a week at the Rotary Youth Leadership camp in the Monzano Mountains northeast of Socorro this summer, learning about leadership, citizenship and personal growth.
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Participating students were; Shelbey Quintanilla, David Tello-Cebreros, Nicolette Young, Parker Murphy, Jocelyn Apodaca and Micaela De La Rosa.
The students attended the camp thanks to Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) scholarships, valued at $650 each. "It is so incredibly rewarding to see these students after they have participated in the amazing program; I've had students say that it is "life-changing." Participants, Nicolette Young and Shelbey Quintanilla, report that RYLA is "not just any leadership camp; we were taught how to utilize our individual strengths and challenge our skills."
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Posted by Richard Haas, Membership Chair
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Membership - Share It With Someone Special
Rotary membership is something very special. Just the name of Rotary evokes images of service to others, ethics beyond reproach, and enduring friendships stretching around the world. I can think of no other service organization that does so much for others, while enriching the lives of its own members. What a truly unique organization - but you already know that because you are a Rotary member. Invite someone to become a member and share that experience.
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Posted by Mike Beckett
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THE UNEXPECTED GIFT OF ROTARY
More than 10 years ago, a dear friend of mine, Federal District Judge Karen Molzen, suggested I join the Rotary Club. Being younger and impressionable, I was honored to be asked. After going through the usual protocol, I was inducted, with Karen as my sponsor.
As the years have passed, I have recited countless 4-way tests and been witness to the worldwide community of individuals putting Service Above Self. These acts of goodwill carried out using the 4-way test as a basis, give one a sense of belonging to a greater humanity that is not governed by politics or religion. Participation in the projects your club chooses, brings not only purpose, but the knowledge that you are making your corner of the world better than you found it.
Someone deciding to bring me into the Rotary family gave me a very precious gift, one that has certainly enriched my life and the life of others through the projects we do together. I encourage you to find someone to give this gift. Sponsor someone, with the intention of enriching their life.
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Posted by Ronnie Wright
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This year’s camp was from July 20 through July 26, 2013. Ninety-six high school juniors from all over District 5520 attended camp; eighteen of whom were sponsored by the Las Cruces clubs. On July 19, 2013, RYLA Girl’s Camp Director, Claudia Jeffrey, nine counselors and nine junior counselors arrived at the Manzano Retreat to prepare for the arrival of the campers the following day.
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GIRLS RYLA CAMP 2013
Counselors bring fans, a card table and chair, an ice chest, craft supplies their bedding and suitcases, extension cords, surge protectors, outdoor chairs, duct tape, alarm clocks and lamps. Each of the nine cabins housed between ten and thirteen campers and two counselors.
The counselors and junior counselors volunteer their time for the week-long camp. It is a rewarding experience for all. Junior counselors are former RYLA campers, who assist the counselors with the daily activities.
The grounds at Manzano Retreat provide cabins, guest houses, a cafeteria, activity room, meeting rooms, a swimming pool and a gymnasium, a lake and lots of open areas. It is truly a beautiful location. Thunder storms are frequent in July. Three outdoor activities had to be moved inside at the last minute because of lightning warnings.
You may be wondering what happens at RYLA camp, and even more surprised at the answers. Each day begins the same. Counselors rise between 5:00 and 5:30 for a 6:30 meeting. Junior counselors wake up the campers at 6:00. The flag ceremony is at 7:00. (After the flag is raised and the Pledge of Allegiance is said, the girls from each cabin perform a yell.) Exercise begins at 7:15, and breakfast is at 7:30.
During the hours of 8:30 until 6:00, activities kept everyone busy. Classes for Public Speaking, Interviews and Resumes, Leadership Skills and Social Media were conducted by various Counselors. Craft projects were also taught by a counselor. High Ropes, Zip Line and Low Ropes were provided by Manzano Retreat trained personnel. Lunch was served at 12:00 every day.
There were also eight speaker presentations; Mark Glenn, Sonny Brown, Dick Jones, Debra Simon, Maria Dominguez, Carl Brown, Sunny Yates and Kit Turpin, District 5520 Governor. Each speaker donated their time to present topics of various subjects.
Several other projects took place throughout the week. Each day ends the same at camp. Each camper is assigned to a committee, which meets at 7:00 each evening. Lights out at 10:00. (On the first night, at least!)
From my experiences as a Counselor in 2010, 2011 and 2013, I can say that I would not have missed this opportunity. Working with people committed to this program provides unity in purpose. Watching the girls begin the week as strangers and finishing the week as true friends is a wonder to behold. Seeing each girl’s confidence, teamwork and leadership skills grow a bit each day; knowing each one will take what they have learned about Rotary and the 4-Way Test back to their home and community; and helping them to always go forward and never give up makes RYLA week every July one of my favorite times of the year.
Ronnie Wright
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