Sappington Reports on Zone Institute

TODAY IN ROTARY Linda Sappington reported on only a small amount of information received at the October 27-30 Rotary 21b-27 Zone Institute in Salt Lake City.  According to Greg Podd, RI VP, “retention is Rotary’s #1 issue. “  District PI Director Linda also noted, “RI has a strong emphasis on public awareness because, even after 111 years, people on the street are still asking, ‘what’s Rotary?”

At the conclusion of her presentation, Linda distributed 3 questions and asked her fellow Rotarians to discuss “what should we as a club stop doing?  What should we as a club start doing? and What should we as a club continue to do … just do it better?”   The answers – some predictable and some surprising – will be discussed futher both by the board and by club members in our efforts to keep SGR relevant in the community.

Phil Hall Tells of Uganda Adventures

TODAY IN ROTARY, Phil Hall, DDS shared his recent adventure in Gulu, Uganda, a small land-locked – and overcrowded - country in Africa where “there is no work, no food and no money.”  Uganda, which claims the “source of the Nile,” has an average life expectancy of 57 years and people earn an average of $1.25 per day.  Phil described his time in Gula, with Dr. Drew Cahoon, a Rotarian and dentist from Canada, “It is in this area where SGR and several local dentists helped fund a dental clinic in the regional hospital.  When we where with the school kids it was what we called outreach to an elementary school.  We screened all the 5th and 6th graders for decay.  We then selected about 15 patients from the group and did fillings on the spot.  I was demonstrating the ART (atraumatic restorative technique) for filling teeth with out dental drills, only hand instruments and no anesthetic.  It was part of a dental education program to teach dental health and encourage the children to consider saving their teeth instead of just pulling them, including a program to show them not all dentistry is painful.

SGR Learns of RVU-SU

TODAY IN ROTARY Whitney Johnson, SGR’s newest member, shared brief details of her life growing up in St. George and her job as Admissions Counselor at Rocky Vista University.  According to Whitney, the Colorado-based Rocky Vista University (RVU) will open in the summer of 2017 to become Utah’s second medical school, with 125 students in its first class.  Quoting Thomas N. Told, DO, Dean and Chief Academic Officer of Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM), “Southern Utah is the logical choice for a new medical school.  Nearly 400 students leave Utah every year to attend medical school. Students have a tendency to stay and establish their medical practice in the state where they receive their training.”

Rocky Vista University is dedicated to achieving new heights in medical education.  It will be a privilege and opportunity to partner with the academic community and many healthcare facilities located in Southern Utah and to create a pathway for the next generation of physicians who matriculate from Utah universities, train at RVUCOM-SU, seek residencies, then continue to practice in Utah.  RVU has always focused on the Mountain West states as this region is historically underserved and in need of talented physicians who will provide quality primary care. With RVU’s innovative curriculum and strong values, RVU can fulfill this need with graduates who will enhance the health of the communities they touch.

SGR Hears from Commission Candidates

TODAY IN ROTARY SGR welcomed Whitney Johnson, the Admissions Counselor at Rocky Vista University in Ivins and sponsored by Linda Sappington, as our newest Rotarian.

Also TODAY IN ROTARY, we found ourselves without a program … so, in true “service above self” Rotary spirit, our own Dean Cox, a candidate for Washington County Commissioner accepted an invitation to speak, followed by Josh Warburton, a charter member of the Zion Canyon Rotary Club and another candidate for a seat on the Washington County Commission.  These two fine individuals gave us lots to consider before casting our ballots.  Thanks for stepping up, guys!

SGR is Updated on WCSD Growth

TODAY IN ROTARY Kyle Case was presented with his Paul Harris Fellow recognition earned awhile back, but because of his grueling schedule overseeing 11,079 senior athletes participating in the Huntsman World Senior Games (October 3-16) he has been scarce at our club meetings.

TODAY IN ROTARY our newest member – Steve Dunham (Classification:  Development and Marketing) – was inducted by President Collin Davis as our 73^rd member, with his sponsor Larry Bergeson doing the honor of presenting him with his Rotary pin.

Larry Bergeson, Superintendent of the Washington County School District, provided an update on the goings-on at the WCSD noting the district has seen a 4.5% increase in enrollment which has necessitated more buildings and more realignments to accommodate student growth particularly in the area around Little Valley and Washington Fields.  The new Crimson High School and Middle School “cone site” have now broken ground and construction is underway for an opening in the fall of 2018.  The construction process of pouring 30 tons of cement then lifting the walls into place with “a very big crane” saves the district about 25% in construction costs.

Legacy Elementary (replacing East Elementary) is the district’s first 2-story elementary school.  It is built on 5.6 acres of ground and will be open to 650 students in February, 2017.   It also includes a high school length indoor gymnasium with a wood floor and will be shared in a partnership with the City of St. George Parks and Recreation Department.

Majestic Hills Elementary, near Staheli Farms, will open next year with one more elementary school already “on the drawing board.”

Schools are currently opening to student populations of between 900-1000 but are designed to accommodate populations of 1150 – 1250 based on growth.

Recent recognitions for the WCSD:

·               Financing education is challenging, but we now have a AAA bond rating (“which is not real common,” states the Superintendent)

·               Vista School is the #1 charter school in the nation

·               Utah’s 8^th grade science curriculum is #1 in the nation

·               WCSD is in the Top 5 nationally for commitment to professional learning

·               Our Response Team Intervention program is recognized as one of the best for helping students who are falling behind
WCSD has “more honors classes, more AP classes and more concurrent enrollment students” than any other district in the state

SUU Sports Program Explained

TODAY IN ROTARY Frank Pucher, SUU’s Associate Athletic Director since Mary 2016, shared his enthusiasm for his new job which includes external relations, revenue generation, responsibility for enhanced student / athlete experience, developing a Division One mindset on campus and in the community, and helping SUU become “southern Utah’s university.”

He also works closely with the Thunderbird Athletic Foundation which provides scholarships, academic and life skills support.  The foundation has seen a 73% increase in giving as the school moves toward a total student enrollment of up to 8500.   “We are doing lots of things differently,” noted Pucher in closing.

RYLA Youth Report

TODAY IN ROTARY members of SGR were treated to an after action report from those amazing young women who attended RYLA in late September.  Taverie Coleman, Kaylee Simmons attended for the first time, while Michael Isom returned for the 5^th time as a RYLA alum.

Taverie, the granddaughter of Jim Coleman, admitted she had not adequately prepared for RYLA but learned a great deal about herself and others while learning to “embrace other cultures” as well as about how her fear of failing prevents her from fully experiencing life because of her perfectionist personality.  She came home determined to conduct a “purple pinkies” fundraiser at Desert Hills High School where she attends.  Today she has already earned $30 from her efforts, which will be matched by SGR and matched again by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, bringing her total – even if she doesn’t raise anymore – to $180 – enough to inoculate 360 children.  “I’m already making a difference in the world,” she noted gleefully!

Kaylee Simmons, who delivered her message extemporaneously – and well – spoke of how much she had learned thru her experience at RYLA.  She, too, was impacted favorably by the culture walk and was particularly touched by the presentation on heros by Craig Hymas.  She encouraged her younger classmates to attend RYLA next year and hopes to make a difference as a member of the Dixie High School Interact Club.

Michael Isom, son of Richard Isom and a fulltime student at Southern Utah University, expressed his enthusiasm for RYLA, both as a first timer and as an alumni facilitator. 

DSU’s Rotaract president Rashe Elliott noted his is the 2^nd largest service club on campus with 58 members who most recently provided volunteer support for the St. George Marathon and ongoing support to Switchpointe.

For more information, contact SGR’s New Generations Chair Malissa Kelsch.