Archive for January, 2010

W. Ron Camunez graduated from NMSU with degrees in Political Science and Business Administration and has been active in political activities on the local, state and national level.  He is a standing member of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly of New Mexico and is past State Chairman.

Ron is active in local Emergency Planning for the city of Las Cruces and Dona Ana County and received multiple awards for his work. He is a certified National Instructor for Emergency Services and Critical Incident Management for the Department of Public Safety for the State of New Mexico. He has served in disaster areas as an *on site* Red Cross disaster supervisor assisting local and state governmental agencies working with F.E.M.A. Ron has certifications from F.E.M.A., the state of New Mexico and American Red Cross in the areas of disaster planning, mass care, health and safety and has received many awards for his service.

Ron is a member and past President of the Las Cruces Lions Club.

Dr. Kenneth J. Martin is Regents Professor of Finance in the College of Business at New Mexico State University. He received his Ph.D. in Finance from Purdue University and his Bachelor*s degree in Accounting and MBA degree both from Oklahoma State University.

Ken teaches courses in equity asset valuation, corporate financial management, and financial information technology. He is also the director of NMSU*s Student-Managed Investment Funds and serves as program director for the Stock Market Game in New Mexico, a financial market simulation in which approximately 4,000 students across New Mexico in grades 4-12 participate each year.

Ken is married to Mary Martin, a teacher at Mission Lutheran School. Together they have 4 children, Ben (21), Meredith (18), JJ (16), and Peter (7). Ken has served as Cubmaster of Pack 5 in Mesilla Park for the past 14 years.

Rio Grand Rotary December student Rotarian David Boyden is a junior at Onate High School.

His community activities include working with Fire Explorers and the Excel program and participating in Relay for Life.

His interests include mostly music.

Future plans are to become a firefighter.

David is the son of Karen Boyden.

Rio Grand Rotary December student Rotarian Andrew Zapien is a junior at Mayfield High School.

His school activities include varsity football and baseball; Key Club; and student government.

Community activities include Mayfield Football and Baseball Camps and St. Baldricks.

His hobbies and interests include sharing time with friends and family, playing sports, and listening to music.

Future plans are to earn a college degree in business; play collegiate baseball; and own a sports development business.

Andrew is the son of Andrew and Suzie Zapien.

The Vista Middle School Bell Choir, known as the *Vista Vibrations,* performed for the Rio Grande Rotary Club on Tuesday, 12/1/09. The choir performs under the direction of volunteer teacher, Lois Cook. The Choir has performed for the RGR Club for the past nine years.

The choir is raising funds to add another octave of bells to the ensemble.
To the right is a picture of the presentation of a $250 check from RGR to the Choir to help them in this endeavor.

Valerie Travis is a junior at Las Cruces High School.
Valerie is a member of Students for Sustainability.  She has lettered in band.
She enjoys cooking in her free time and volunteers at the soup kitchen during the summer and other days off from school.
Valerie plans to study Hospitality and Tourism at NMSU.
She is the daughter of Randy and Wendy Travis.

Zane Ortega is a junior at Mayfield High School.

His school activities include football and baseball.

Community activities include helping elementary teachers set up classrooms before school begins and participating in the Character Counts Program.

His hobbies and interests include movie watching, sharing time with friends and family, playing sports, and being outdoors.

Future plans are to earn a college degree and major in civil or aerospace engineering.

Zane is the son of Jerry and Sheila Ortega.

Nathan Jenkins is a junior at Onate High School.

His school activities include membership in the Honor Society, Student to Student, and Student Venture. He also participates in the Science Bowl.

Community activities include attending church and membership in the Boy Scouts of America.

His hobbies and interests include science, computers, and photography.

Future plans are to attend New Mexico State University and study computer engineering.

Nathan is the son of Jeff and Darla Jenkins.

The Dress-A-Child, Silent Auction, Salt & Pepper

Bidding Blues

by Ross M. Burkhardt

November 2009

It’s that time of year again – time you should place

your bid on an item with a smile on you face.

Each year we enjoy raising money for kids,

But none of it happens unless you make bids.

So bid on some jewelry from Keith Austin’s store;

Bid till your wallet hurts – you know what it’s for.

When bidding for items, please do not hedge –

You just might acquire a Bob Hollman pitching wedge.

Or a Peter Krebs glider ride, or bottles of wine;

Or a Tom Kemp dinner – they’re tasty and fine.

It’s likely you’ll find (since we do every year)

that perennial present – the basket of cheer.

Don’t be a Scrooge – you know your role,

so put in a bid in for that centerpiece bowl!

One of the wonderful bids of the night

is the Eddie Binns “Name Your Own Street” naming right.

And who, after all, could resist bringing home

that witty creation – a Ross Burkhardt poem!

Live auction items once again will be sold

by that dynamic duo – they’re brash and they’re bold –

they’ll not let the bidding come to a halt –

not Victor and Kenneth, a.k.a. Pepper and Salt.

So, come to Picacho Hills on the 4^th of December

with your partner, or spouse, or a friend, but remember

it’s all for the kids, the fun and the kidding.

Be generous, Rotarians. Now, who’ll start the bidding?

Wei-Husan (Jenni) Ting is a junior at Las Cruces High School.

Her school activities include membership in: the National Honor Society; French Honor Society; Amnesty International; MESA; BEST Robotics; and the Asian Culture Society. She has received awards in: the national French Letter-writing Contest; the Regional Science Bowl; the regional BEST Robotics Competition; the National French Exam. She serves as the Treasurer of the French Honor Society and has been named one of the Mayor’s Top Teens.

Community activities include membership in FIRST Robotics and volunteering at Memorial Medical Center.

Her hobbies and interests include baking, sewing, singing, playing the violin, and learning new languages.

Future plans are to earn a college degree in Biochemistry and Business.

Wei-Husan is the daughter of Li-Chuan Huang and Chueh Ting.