Shawler to address Rotary

Donald Shawler, career law clerk to Judge Bobby Baldock of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, will speak to the Roswell Rotary Club on July 27.

School head describes prep academy

D’Anna O’Mera, head of school at the New Mexico Military Institute Intermediate Preparatory Academy, addresses the Roswell Rotary Club at its July 20 meeting.

Rotary donates to youth programs

The Roswell Rotary Club on July 20 donated $6,000 to two local youth groups.

Royce “Pancho” Maples, who heads the club’s shooting education program, presented $3,000 checks each to the Chaves County 4-H Sharpshooters and the Conquistador Boy Scout Council.

Each group also received a certificate for a firearm which can be used in a future fundraiser.

Members of the 4-H Sharpshooters present for the award were Drew Garrett, Chaves County extension agent, and club members Wyatt Curry, Raynen Melton, and Reese Melton.

Logan Mitchell, chairman of the Rio Hondo District, accepted the award on behalf of the Conquistador Scout Council.

Accepting the awards are (from left) Logan Mitchell; Royce “Pancho” Maples, Rotary club presenter; Drew Garrett, Chaves County extension agent; and club members Wyatt Curry, Raynen Melton, and Reese Melton.

O’Mera to address club

D’Anna O’Mera, head of school at the New Mexico Military Institute Intermediate Preparatory Academy, will speak at Thursday’s Roswell Rotary Club meeting.

“Education is my passion! I have enjoyed a rich and rewarding career teaching students of all ages from elementary to college, and I have spent five years as an elementary school administrator,” said O’Mera, who began her duties on June 1.

O’Mera brings to the head of school position more than 17 years of leadership, teaching, and administrative experience at the elementary and intermediate school and college levels.

Her husband, John O’Mera, former NMMI head college football coach, has accepted the position of high school head football coach and PE instructor at NMMI, beginning this coming season.

Honoring Paul Harris Fellows

The Roswell Rotary Club honors three Paul Harris Fellows (from left) Betty Young; Carolyn Mitchell, who presented the fellowships; Andy Miller; and Gordon Patton. The presentation was made at the July 13 club meeting.

Changing of the guard

Some 15 past governors of Rotary District 5520, District leaders, and Las Cruces Rio Grande Rotary Club members gathered Saturday (June 24) to see Richard Haas succeed John Drusedum as governor.

The official change of governors occurs on July 1. However, the district governor’s baton and banner exchange was made one week early to avoid the Independence Day weekend rush.

The ceremony was held in Haas’s office, Desert Peak Architects in Las Cruces.

The district governor banner will move from Drusedum’s club, the Roswell Rotary Club, to the Las Cruces Rio Grande Club, where Haas is a member.

Past District Governor Robert Rausch, Roswell Rotary Club President Bianca Cheney, Las Cruces Rio Grande President Terra Winter, District Governor John Drusedum, incoming Las Cruces Rio Grande President Paula Heikell, and District Governor-Elect Richard Haas stand with the district banner.

Past District Governor Bob Rausch pins John Drusedum as past

district governor.

John passes the district governor baton to Richard Haas.

Rotarians join Sakura at Flying J

Roswell Rotary Club members joined exchange student Sakurako “Sakura” Kamitani on a weekend visit to the Flying J Ranch in Alto.

It was the final club social event for Sakura before she returns to Japan.

Club president Bianca Cheney was joined by Rotarians J.P. Cheney, Hud Rhea, and Jack Swickard at the Flying J Saturday (June 24).

After taking in some sightseeing at the entertainment ranch, the Rotarians, guests, and Sakura enjoyed a chuck wagon-style dinner and a Western concert by the Flying J Wranglers.

Also joining the group for dinner and entertainment were Jack’s wife Renee; Pecos Valley Rotary member Melinda Branin and her husband Wataru Niimori, Sakura’s current host family; and Bianca and J.P.’s daughter, her husband, and their son — Xanthia, Leland, and Declan Wright.

Roswell Rotary exchange student Sakurako “Sakura” Kamitani

 enjoys dinner Saturday night at the Flying J Ranch in Alto.