The Wheel for January 23, 2020
Listen to Daniel Liles – Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar
The Wheel
Daniel Liles – Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar
Daniel Liles is a proud native of Las Vegas and 2011-12 Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar sponsored by District 5240 in California. In, 2010 he graduated from California Lutheran University, where he earned dual Bachelor degrees in International Relations and Music, specializing in piano performance. It was a professor at his university that first introduced Daniel to Rotary and he quickly became interested in getting involved with the organization and pursuing the ambassadorial scholarship.
After graduating, Daniel was selected to be a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar sponsored by the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks. He spent his year of service with District 3010 in New Delhi, India. While in India, Daniel worked in the largest slum in Delhi to revitalize a Rotary sponsored school. Daniel also was enrolled full time in an academic program studying International Development. After returning, and speaking with over 20 Rotary clubs both in India and the United States, Daniel was honored with a Paul Harris Fellowship from his sponsor club.
After his Ambassadorial year, Daniel was selected to a two-year fellowship with Teach For America, an organization that works directly with public education schools to address educational inequity. Daniel began his teaching career in special education at Dell H. Robison Middle school in the Clark County School District (CCSD), the same district from which he graduated. During this time, Daniel completed a Master’s degree in Education from UNLV.
Currently, Daniel is serving in a new role as an Instructional Coach at Will Beckley Elementary school. In this role, Daniel works directly with teachers and community partners to provide the highest quality education possible for the students he serves.
Outside of school, Daniel actively engages with the Education community on various levels. He is currently serving a two-year term on the State Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Cabinet, is an instructor for an undergraduate and graduate education course at UNLV, was selected as a Teach Plus Education Policy fellow in 2018, and is also an alumni and steering committee member of the Teacher Leader Academy at the Public Education Foundation.Message From The President
Dear Rotarians,
For the second time this month, we will hear from one of our own, Daniel Liles. Daniel has quite an impressive resume and a Rotary Club history. Daniel was an Ambassadorial Scholar sponsored by District 5240, and the Thousand Oaks Club. Daniel will have much to share with us about his year long service project. Many of us know Daniel through our work with Beckley Elementary. He is always around with a smile, a kind word and support for Rotary.
I want to provide more information about Rotary International Scholarship programs. Some of you may have been introduced to Chantay BenShimon who, with assistance from PP Karen Whisenhunt, is applying to our District for the Global Grants Scholarship, formerly known as Ambassadorial Scholarships. They were founded in 1947 and the purpose has not changed. According to Rotary International, the purpose of the Ambassadorial Scholarships program is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries and geographical areas. The program sponsors several types of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students. While abroad, scholars serve as goodwill ambassadors to the host country and give presentations about their homelands to Rotary Clubs and other groups. Upon returning home, scholars share with Rotarians and others the experiences that led to a greater understanding of their host country. Daniel is going to share this and much else with us today.
Rotary International averages about 7.5 million in scholarship awards per year. Over its history, RI has awarded over 350,000 scholarships. There are two types of scholarships. 1. Rotary clubs offer scholarships for secondary, undergraduate, or graduate study. Rotary club scholarships are given by individual clubs and are open to anyone except Rotary members and their families. 2. The Rotary Foundation offers scholarships for college graduates and professionals to study peace and conflict resolution. Rotary peace fellowships are available to candidates who want to participate in a master’s degree or certificate program at one of our six partner universities.
Global Grants Scholarships of which Chantay is preparing for, are for graduate students studying abroad in one of Rotary’s Six Causes:
- Promoting peace
- Fighting disease
- Providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene
- Saving mothers and children
- Supporting education
- Growing local economies
Scholarships last from one to four years and can include an entire degree program. Global grant scholarships are funded using cash or District Designated Funds matched by the World Fund.
Rotary International also awards Peace Fellowships. According to rotary.org, each year Rotary awards up to 100 fully funded fellowships for dedicated leaders from around the world to study at one of our peace centers. In just over a decade, the Rotary Peace Centers have trained more than 1,200 fellows. Many of them now serve as leaders at international organizations or have started their own foundations.
Our contributions to the Rotary International Foundation are what provides the opportunities for men and women all over the world to participate in Rotary’s six areas of focus. Rotary members are a major catalyst in nominations for these scholarships and fellowships.
If you know anyone who might be a great candidate, please go to rotary.org to learn more about the requirements for application.
Jackie Thornhill
President
Las Vegas Rotary Club
Member Highlights
Toni Kern opened the meeting with the invocation.
Ted McAdam along with our recognized airmen from Nellis and Creech led us in song with “The US Air Force.”
Sergeant At Arms Mike Cudiamat and 25 Club President Carey Grohs posed for a picture.
President Jackie presented our speaker with our “Share What You Can Award”.
President Jackie and PE Richard presented a check to “After School All Stars”.
PP Jim Hunt missed his chance at the Joker.
Our speaker Jeff Civillico showed us one of his balancing skills.
Our fourth quarter Nellis and Creech Airmen were recognized with our Wetzel Awards.
Melanie Muldowney and President Jackie presented Paul Harris Fellows to Andy Kuniyuki with his first, Lloyd Sauter with his fifth and President Elect Elect (PEE) Mike Ballard with his fourth.
Marie Walsh shared the success of our Breakfast with Books event.
Kathy Mahon drew the Lawry’s Bucks for the second week in a row.
Erik Astramecki joined PE Richard Jost to be recognized for his sponsorship of our Annual Fundraiser.
Along with President Jackie at the head table were Janice Lencke, Eric Astramecki and our speaker Jeff Civillico.
Scribe – January 16, 2020
Las Vegas Rotary Club Meeting: January 16, 2020
- President Jackie Thornhill called the meeting to order.
- Toni Kern gave the invocation. Ted McAdam led the club in signing “ The U.S. Air Force Song”. Mike Cudiamat was the Sergeant-At-Arms;
- We had 0 visiting International Rotarians, 0 visiting Rotarians and 5 Guests of Rotarians were introduced.
- The weekly drawing ticket winner was PP Jim Hunt drew an Ace for a prize of $50. Kathy Mahon MD won the Lawry’s Bucks;
- President Jackie Thornhill announcements/reminders:
- International Convention held in Hawaii in June 6-10
- District Conference is in in Pasadena. Registration is open. The Pasadena Club is celebrating their 100th
- People of Action Campaign is ongoing. Please send photos to President Jackie.
- Your quarterly and monthly contributions help fund programs that keep our projects moving. Please consider donating to the permanent fund.
- Remember to recycle Wheels and tickets.
- New RI Committee Together We Read, needs committee members. Chair is Toni Kern.
- Member Donald Loyd He has had several strokes. His wife Betsy sends good wishes.
- 25 Club President Carey Grohs reminder 25 Club Graduation held at 6 PM January 25th at McFaddens;
- Ted McAdams and PP David Thorson presented 4th Quarter Wetzel Awards to our visiting Service Members;
- Brian Sorrentino reminder the Annual Fundraiser Cuisine and Octane on April 25th our goal is two tickets sold per member. Tickets are $100 including food and open bar;
- Melanie Muldowney Presented a Paul Harris Fellow to Andy Kuniyuki made possible by Robert Barnard. Lloyd Sauter received a plus 5. PEE Mike Ballard received a plus 4.
- Marie Walsh gave an update on Breakfast with Books; the students read 370 books in one month.
- PP Jim Tucker announced 23 squares remain available on the SuperBowl board. Squares are $50 each.
- PP Karen Whisenhunt asks for host families for the German boys in the Mayors Cup in February; She needs for two homes to host two boys each.
- Jodi Manzella and Mark Faber received a $5000 grant for After School All-Stars. Invited us to participate in their upcoming dodge ball tournament on March 7th.
Janice Lencke introduced today’s speaker Jeff Civillico to discuss his organization Win-Win Entertainment. Jeff is a wonderful story teller and professional performer. He shared with us how he came to be a performer through acts of service. The age of 7 is when his passion for performance came to life. His father, a dentist, had an established relationship with a school for children with special needs. His father’s connection welcomed the performance and Jeff loved the experience. Although he went on to become a professional performer including cruise lines and a show in Las Vegas at the Paris; performing for children-in-need fulfills him. He just closed his show at Paris after ten years to expand Win-Win Entertainment. Win-Win is currently in 7 states matching “time and talent” of professional performers in direct service to children’s organizations such as St. Jude’s Children’s Ranch and UMC bringing the joy of performers to the children who need it most. As he grows Win-Win Entertainment he will continue key note speaking and corporate engagements. We can help by advocating for awareness of Win-Win Entertainment. More information at winwinentertainment.org
President Jackie Thornhill presented our speaker with a “Share What You Can” award to benefit the local USO and then adjourned the meeting.