This week's meeting was headed by Bill Leeper while our President was out of town.
Our inspiration was given by Bill Simmermon. Bill shared a poem written by Rotarian Jack Matgrove of Kansas.
Our guests included Scott Davenport's granddaughter, Christine, who is a Junior at Valor. This well-traveled young lady has been in more countries than most of us and is on her way soon to missions in Nicaragua and Spain.
Additionally, we were happy to see Jennifer Starbuck again from the magazine, City Life Highlands Ranch, and Monica Nielson. Also, we are always delighted to see Win Pendleton who was there on behalf of Flyin' B to collect mobility devices and shoes for the drive at Wind Crest.
For our main program, we had Angie Hager from Boys Hope, Girls Hope Denver. Angie began by sharing about the organization and its mission. They work with students in need at partner schools in the area. The students they support need help and guidance as it pertains not only to life but also to their educational and professional advancement.
Currently, they work with high school students and young college students to help them with the transitions between middle to high school and then into college and their professional lives.
Of the students she presented about, one in particular stood out.
Anna Yelney was the Student of the Year last year for Boys Hope, Girls Hope last year. Anna's family has struggled over the years as they work in agriculture, and she has had the instability and uncertainty that comes from that. Nonetheless, she has found success academically because of the support the program gave her.
In her speech, which Angie read to us in part, Anna said that it is important to remember that "everyone who is great started somewhere", and that she has learned that true "resilience comes from discomfort."
As she has worked through high school toward success after that, she reminds herself, "It is not just about the journey, but also about getting through the in-between and small moments that make a messy and imperfect journey" their own reward. She reminds herself often that "being a beginner is something to embrace," and from high school, she is proud to be starting an internship at Children's Hospital as she begins the college application process.
Boys Hope, Girls Hope has received club support. They are hosting their annual event in February of 2025 at The Cable Center at DU. It is a "Shaken, Not Stirred Martini Party & Fundraiser". We were invited to join them then. They rely heavily on that annual capital campaign.
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Kristy Hayzlett was our presenter for the Getting to Know You presentation. She was truly astonishing.
Kristy's life has been a magical, crazy journey. With a strong family behind her, she embarked on life with college at Drexel University in Pennsylvania, where she pursued her first love for Art. Her father, a Rotary Leader in Hilton Head, made it clear that he was happy to support that choice but at a point, she had to decide on her own what she really was "going to be".
So, she rolled up her sleeves and transferred to The University of Pennsylvania to pursue Nursing. She ended up specializing in and eventually even working as a trauma nurse on Life Flight helicopters.
Kristy was married before and moved quite often in support of her first husband's medical career. They had three children together, and when the marriage ended, he stayed in the Maryland/DC area as Kristy did at first.
After they divorced and she moved a few more times for work and life with her kids, Kristy met David. They married over 10 years ago and they brought together a wild crew to be a family of eight.
David still works but is remote. Their kids are mostly back east but still on the move. Kristy, as we know, is also always on the move! She works in the DMV (The District, Maryland & Virginia) and here in Colorado in Real Estate and design consultation. Art remains firmly in the center of her life, as does health care.
Though she is mostly focused on her real estate work through COMPASS Realty, she does still stay involved through various affiliations and previous connections, to events, individuals, and organizations that help her keep on her toes and very, very busy. And she would not have it any other way.
We all felt slightly less interesting ourselves after we heard about Kristy's life, but we are so grateful to have her in our club now. She has assumed the role of Social Chair for the 2024-25 Rotary Year.
Kristy and David have just purchased their Dream Home in Evergreen, so we will see Kristy as she barrels down the mountain and flies in from the coast whenever she can be at our noon meetings in The Ranch! Welcome, Kristy!
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MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS
PEN ANNOUNCEMENT:
We are seeking volunteers for the nomination committee. Nominees will also be published here in the Wheel Spinner, of course. Tomorrow (10/24) we will continue the process for member nominations for the following week. The committee will also identify up to three candidates which will be announced and published for 3 weeks in the Wheel Spinner to give you all time to think it over and speak to one another. The vote will be taken via email in late December or early January by Claudia.
We were also reminded that our Foundation approved the gift of $10,000 to go to Hurricane relief efforts in the south and east.
Please note that we will begin a membership survey very soon. It is important that we all take time to offer our input, please.
Family of Rotary:
Please continue to send your prayers and best wishes to Peter Ulrich. Pete is going through a tough time health-wise right now and is mostly staying close to home. He might appreciate a call or a note if you are so inclined. We certainly will hold him in our hearts at this time.
Also, Tim Sparks is battling pneumonia. He will be moving from Skyridge to a rehab facility Janes said soon. So if you have a moment to check in with him, they might appreciate that.
We heard that Ann Lester is still up and at 'em as she battles her illness. She will be moving into a study to explore other care options but they remain optimistic. She has no symptoms and they are planning a trip to Wimbledon in June of 2025!
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It is a great day to be a Rotarian; make it fun!
See you tomorrow, friends.
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