Prez Allyn opened the meeting promptly at 12:30; with the invocation ably handled by Kelly Chaplin followed by the pledge of allegiance, led by about to be inducted, Gary Swank. Last minute recruit, song leader Griff Duncan led a rousing rendition of America followed by a a hand shaking rendition of Smile, accompanied by the ever faithful Don Ludwig. The 4-Way Test recitation was led by Ron Stock.

Introduction of guests by Terri Grassi led off by long time Rotarian Bill Gillespie, visiting from Fullerton South; then guests Jeremy Lins (dad, Joe), Jennifer Fitzgerald (Scott Dowds), Eric Jones (Ray Hansen), Tony & Julie Romero and Joshua Duncan (Grandpa Griff).

Gary Swank

Prez Allyn complimented Past Prez Bob Sattler for his orientation of Gary Swank, who together with sponsor Blake Smith and Jr. Past Prez Scott were called forth to perform the “formal” induction process. Kudos to Scott, who with no notice presided over Gary’s induction with his usual aplomb in response to Allyn’s query, “What Rotary means to me.” Gary, a long time Fullerton resident, looks forward serving Fullerton through Rotary.

Recognitions

Recognition Master of the Day, Joe Lins, ever the good guy recognized a bunch of folks, but didn’t bolster the treasury much, until a strong close:

• Zoot – no bow tie, $2
• Scott – great job last year, $0
• Duane – olives on the side, $0
• Don Ludwig – the piano man, $0
• Dan Kiernan - $5, for being Dan
• Michael Reynolds $0 for driving new Taurus, $2 to Williams
• Blake Smith - $0, being the Net man
• Dan Ouweleen in absentia – hard work on Jog-A-Thon, $0
• Bill Heaton, not here, Anniversary. $0
• Jay Kremer, $1 for Gloria’s birthday
• Vern Andrews, Matt Apodaca, Kelly Smokin’ Hot, Winston Creel, Theresa Harvey, Allyn Lean, Bob Maxwell, Leslie McCarthy & Bob Sattler, $1 each for not knowing that the other eight were inducted in July. Joe: You missed Gary Swank!

Raffle Loser

Don Bankhead did not get the joker. Bucks are getting up there so pony up this week. Odds for winner are now 1 in 13, based on totally on skillful selection technique.

Today’s Program – Your $ in Action

As a dynamic and vivid demonstration of the impact of your charitable contributions through The Fullerton Rotary Club, today we were treated to tremendous performances from the two young people that we funded to travel to New York to compete in the The National High School Musical Awards (http://www.nhsmta.com/) competition from June 20th to June 26th. You probably did not know that because of your generosity, travel expenses of $2,500 for two high school performers were defrayed by a contribution – via the Community Investment Awards/Fullerton Rotary Foundation. Without that $2,500, it may not have been possible for Elizabeth Romero and Adam Levy to compete under the banner of the “John Raitt Awards” created and mentored by our own Griff Duncan. We should be proud of our enabling role that led to the following national media headline:

2012 Jimmy™ Award Winners


On Monday, June 25, 2012 two students were presented with Jimmy™ Awards for Best Performance by an Actress and Best Performance by an Actor at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre at the 4th Annual National High School Musical Theater Awards (NHSMTA). The winners were Elizabeth Romero, representing the John Raitt Awards in Fullerton, CA and Joshua Grosso, representing the Broadway Star of the Future Awards in Tampa, FL. Each student received $10,000 from the Nederlander Organization to further her and his education.

PBS is creating a 3-part documentary series about The National High School Musical Theater Awards titled “Broadway or Bust” to air on Sunday nights in September, 9th, 16th & 23rd.

For our program, Elizabeth sang “Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets” (which, incredibly appeared to be Don Ludwig) from Damn Yankees and then reprised her winning number, “Disneyland”, from the relatively obscure play, Smile. Adam treated us to a selection from Les Miserable that he performed at the “Jimmies”, and they wrapped up appropriately with a duet rendition of Now Its Our Time. We may all take pride in our support of the talented youth of our area.

Allyn’s Closing Thought (lifted from The Bard):