The Rotary of Coral Gables Scholarship Foundation awarded $20,000 in scholarships thanks to numerous donations from Coral Gables Rotarians.
Several of those donors were on hand to participate in the presentations. Among the winners announced that day by various donors were Asencio Viangely, introduced by Rick Tonkinson; Sophie Feinberg, presented by Gloria Burns in absence of Fred and Yoli Woodbridge; Carla de Haro, introduced by Joan Reitsma; Giselle Vera, presented by Debbie Swain; Gladys Ruiz de Leon, sponsored by Terry Long Gomes and Charlie Gomes; Joseph Villafane, presented by Sally Baumgartner; Amanda Orozco by Walter Alvarez and Dr. Randy Groh on behalf of our Happy Dollars donors; Evan Caldwell by Elizabeth Silverman; Harleen Chawla by Bruce Kerestes; Janylan Manley sponsored by Dick and Teri Golden, and Lady del Castillo by Phil Boswell
In other Rotary news, Coral Gables Rotarians will be moving their meetings to LaJolla at 301 Alcazar Ave. in Coral Gables for the next month while the Marriott undergoes some renovations. The club meets 12:15 p.m. every Thursday.
Upcoming programs include a great list of speakers orchestrated by past president and program chair Sally Baumgartner. Next up on May 12, Bernd Wollschleager, MD, from South Florida Physicians Recovery Network will speak, followed on May 19 with the coral Gables Citizen of the Year Luncheon, and then on May 26, a presentation by Nikki Chuck from the Florida Department of Health, Smoking and Other Addictions. Visiting Rotarians are always welcomed to attend meetings. Lunch is $27.
On the education front, more than 900 guests gathered for the Independent School of South Florida (ISSF) 26th annual Star Luncheon on Apr. 20 at the Doubletree MACC Hotel. This annual affair recognizes one star elementary, middle and high school student from each of the approximately 70 schools from as far north as Palm Beach to the Keys. Among the independent schools in the Gables/Grove and Brickell area participating in this event were Ransom Everglades whose star students were Yasmina Hadda, Brianna Suarez and Asher Lieberman; Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart recognizing Isabella Perez-Compres, Kailyn Althage and Isabella Kang; Gulliver, whose honorees included David Krajewski, Carlotta Ferracina, Federica Hernandez Floris, Alexandros Tsoukas and Gaspard Crepy d’Orleans; Epiphany Catholic School honoring Alexis Lowell, Nina Vizcaino and Catherine Zurfluh; St. Theresa Catholic School recognizing Patrick Eskra, Ryan Hidalgo and Kevin Paez; Temple Beth Am, whose star students were Elias Baron, Colin Carletta, and Rori Brenner; St. Thomas Episcopal Parish School with star students Sofia Manguson, Lorenzo Ramirez de Arellano, and Ricardo Sucre, and Alexander Montessori, whose honorees were Karyna Steele, Madison Jones, Sydney Powell, Liv Steinhardt and Owen Craig.
Westminster Christian’s concert band provided entertainment before the program and during lunch. ISSF president Alicia Casanova welcomed all with ISSF executive director Dr. Teri Logan. Of the many sponsors thanked by Dr. Logan that day was the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club and the club’s president-elect Deborah Van Stone Moore. CGWC has hosted the ISSF’s three spelling and geography bees at its clubhouse for several years as a community service.
Another Rotary Club in the area is the Coconut Grove Rotary that meets at the Coconut Grove Sailing Club, 2990 S. Bayshore Dr., at 12:15 p.m. on Thursdays. The cost for lunch is $20.
That club also attracts some good speakers and on Apr. 7, members heard from guest speaker Florida State Rep. Jose Javier Rodriguez, District 112. First elected to the Florida Legislature in 2012, he also is the vice chair of the Miami-Dade Legislative Delegation. It seems Rep. Rodriguez has a tie with the club via Helen Dudley through their mutual involvement with the Peace Corps. Jose served in Senegal from 2000 to 2003 as a volunteer advising businesses.
For more information on this club, visit www.coconutgroverotaryclub@gmail.com.
Until next time, keep making each day count.
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