Mesa West Rotary and Westwood High School Interact Clubs were well represented at the Rotary District 5495 Club Leadership Academy held Saturday, April 27 at the Black Canyon Conference Center located on the Ottawa University Campus in Phoenix.Wayne General was the official event photographer. Sandra Franco, a Westwood HS Interactor, attended seminar classes when she was not mixing and mingling to promote support of the Crutches for Africa mobility mission to Kenya this summer. Sandra has been selected to be one of the Ambassadors this year. Not shown is Hannah Mason, also from Westwood HS Interact, who was also chosen to be an Ambassador. Chris Krueger facilitated a session, Jim Schmidt was actively soaking up knowledge preparing for his role as Mesa West President 2019-20.
Darl Andersen was busy during breaks enticing interest in the microcredit program in Mexico. Donna Goetzenberger kicked off the Academy with a flag presentation ceremony. As the flags were presented, Donna announced the names of the countries and youth involved in 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2019-20 planned youth exchanges. Allan Cady was a diligent student preparing for his new District role as an Assistant Governor in 2019-20. Jeanie Morgan served as a facilitator.
Colton Cagle, Interact District Governor and Westwood High School Interactor was featured during one of the general sessions telling about the impact Rotary Youth Programs has made in his life. He has attended RYLA, been an active Interactor, served as President of his club one year, and went to Kenya as a C4A Ambassador in 2018. Colton will be an outbound exchange student this coming Rotary year.
Johrita Solari, who will become a Director of Rotary International July 1 representing Zone 26 is shown visiting with Lucinda General and Polly Cady at the event. Polly and Allan Cady served as aides to Johrita during her trip to Arizona for the Academy.
If you want to know more about Rotary beyond our club, and would enjoy interacting with people who are passionate about doing good in the world, you might want to hold the last Saturday in April 2020 open for the next Club Leadership Academy!