February 3, 2010

Fellow Rotarians,

The transition to Eastern Europe has been good. It’s a clear sunny winter day; the Old City is where I’m located, but you can see across the river to where the modern construction has been taking place.
It’s very charming this morning, with Sunday morning church bells and such.

I’ve been meeting people rapidly, and have great co-workers. It turns out that the Embassy here likes Fulbrighters, so Friday evening was my first Embassy party. I’m assured there will be more. Friday they had a promotion ceremony for one of the Marines detached here, he made First Sergeant and a re-assignment to southern California.

Last night I made it to the symphony for the first time here. Very good, actually; they performed (among other things) the “Rite of Spring” which I view as still a bit optimistic at this point! Costs of tickets in Eastern Europe are very low by world standards.

RZ-USM-university-of-Management-and-Economics

Tonight I’ve been invited to a Super Bowl party with the expat community.  I have yet to decide; I’ve spent a week fighting jet lag, finally am mostly on track, and the idea of starting a football game at 1:00 a.m. is not ideal. I’ll probably attend…what the heck.

For the size of the city (over half a million), the Old City is a small, and apparently tight, community. After a week folks are starting to recognize me. My obvious non-Lithuanian nature may contribute to that at
least in part.

My classes start soon, so the reality of actually WORKING here will settle in before long. And Tuesday I hope to make up a Rotary meeting here.

Yours in Rotary,
Phil Benson

p.s. All things mentioned are within easy walking distance. I have yet to avail myself of a “taksi”.

February Student Rotarian

Varayini Pankayatselran is a junior at Las Cruces High School.

Her school activities include membership in: Key Club; Asian Cultural Society; Students of Sustainability; National Honor Society; and MESA. She also participates in tennis.

Community activities include volunteering at a local hospital.

Her hobbies and interests include tennis and medicine.

Future plans are to attend college and major in biochemistry and pursue and career in medicine.

Varayini is the daughter of Sinnathamby and Ratha Pankayatselran.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

District Governor Dick Jones was our guest at the January 26^th meeting.  As part of his visit Dick presented Pas President John Hummer with the district level 2^nd Place Club Award for Per-Capita Annual Program Fund Giving to the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International for the last Rotary year 2008-2009, during John’s term as President.

Lauren Smith is a junior at Onate High School.

Her school activities include membership in: ROTC; MESA; Love Shak, National Honors Society; FCCLA; Young Patriots Club; Student to Student; Science Bowl Team; Ballet Folkloricko; Key Club; and track. She has received awards in: Best Female Physical Fitness; Outstanding Community Service; and Perfect Inspection.

Community activities include a variety of service activities for Veterans of Foreign Wars, her school, and the community at large.

Her hobbies and interests include culinary arts, physical fitness, swimming, painting, and interest in the medical field.

Future plans are to attend the Naval Academy and become an officer.

Lauren is the daughter of Beatrice Smith.

Joe A. Franco II is a senior at Las Cruces High School.

His school activities include cross country; Honor Society and orchestra. He serves as the Secretary of the Honor Society and was a delegate of Boys’ Nation.

Community activities include serving as a catechism teacher and retreat leader for his church, as well as service to the community at large.

His hobbies and interests include playing sports, playing the violin and camping/backpacking.

Future plans are to practice law; become a free-lance writer; and pursue his political and musical interests.

Joe is the son of Joe and Alice Franco.

STUDENT ROTARIAN

Alysha Boone is a sophomore at Onate High School.

Her school activities include track & field; student government; Ballet Folklorico; and ROTC. She currently serves as the Sophomore Class President.

Community activities include raising funds and service projects for veterans and working to landscape Alameda Elementary.

Her hobbies and interests include dancing, motorcycle, and reading.

Future plans are to enter the Air Force Academy and learn to fly.

Alysha is the daughter of Shawna and Dave Corbett.

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.