Home Page | Rotary Club of Boca Raton Sunset

10-14-2019 No Meeting - Columbus Day

No meeting October 14, 2019.

With respect, we honor our national holiday, Columbus Day. Columbus Day is a national holiday in many countries of the Americas and elsewhere which officially celebrates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492.

2019-20 FAU HS October Scholar Jennifer Mendonca

During our weekly meeting Monday, 10/7/2019, we honored Jenifer Mendonca, our Florida Atlantic University High School 2019-20 Rotary Scholar for October. The FAU HS Rotary Scholar of the Month is selected by the FAU HS staff in recognition of character, ethics, morality, community service, and academic achievement. Our sponsor for Jenifer is Past President Ana Londono, Thank you Ana.

As expected, Jennifer told us about her dual enrollment experience working toward a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences while completing requirements for graduation from FAU HS in spring of 2020. As she told us about organizations she has been involved with, such as Asian Student Union and American Medical Student Association, we discovered a delightful and very poised and compassionate young woman.

Jennifer explained that she spent most of her early education years in the Philippines, her home country, where her mother and brothers moved, when Jennifer was 6, to get more supporting care for her younger brother Jacob, diagnosed with autism when he was 3 years old. During those initial years adjusting to new dual language environment was difficult, but she also learned personal communication skills growing up in a loving family with two brothers, one non-verbal due to autism.

She developed into a very determined person, ultimately topping her classmates in studies, and now back in the US, she continues to excel in studies as well as reaching out to serve others in school and community. Jennifer told us about her service in Boca Raton Regional Hospital, more than 200 hours already, transporting patients and offering them comfort, assisting and occasionally delivering flowers. She also enjoys working with friends and family at Schott Communities, where she also assists disabled individuals, and helps with worship as a lector and altar server, plus serves as a class helper. Jennifer and her family also raised more than $650 using GoFundMe to get blankets and art supplies for the organization. In this service, Jennifer learned "that a singular conversation or even a smile can impact a person's outlook or change their mod for the better."

She also said: "Everything I've learned from my family, my school, and my extracurriculars has strengthened my conviction to become a physician. I am sure that my place in this world is that of a healer." Jennifer is well on her way as a member of the National Honor Society, the Max Plank Data Science class ( a newly pioneered interdisciplinary program that teaches about the relatively new field of data science), member of the FAU clubs American Medial Student Association and Asian Student Union, teaching Calculus 1 as a Teaching Assistant, and tutoring fellow math students. After her spring 2020 graduation from FAU HS she plans to continue earning Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences in spring 2021, then onto earning Master's degree and entering Medical School.

Jennifer was accompanied by her Father Fred, Mother Arlene, brothers Jacob and Joseph, and her aunt Shirley Mendonca

. Additionally, FAU HS Assistant Principal Christine Rick and our Honorary Member and FAU HS teacher and Interact Club Advisor Robin Barkes introduced Jenifer and offered a brief highlight of Jennifer's character and qualification for the honor as FAU HS Rotary Scholar for October 2019.

Ana Londono expressed her enthusiasm as sponsor when President Susan Meister presented the certificate to Jennifer. Congratulations Jennifer,

well earned honor and we're sure you will do well pursuing your career in healing. We'll see you again in the spring for our FAU HS Rotary Scholar Gala May 4, 2020.

Featured Rotarian John Ross 9-16-2019

Our featured Rotarian for September 2019 is John Ross, Executive Secretary of Rotary Boca Raton Sunset; he grew up in Brooklyn NY, and graduated from Syracuse University with a BA in Political Science, and State University of NY at

Albany with a Masters in Public Administration. John and his wife Maxine live in Highland Beach Florida with their dog, Fifa. They have one son, Andrew, who lives in Tampa.

John is President of JRITLLC, an information technology consulting firm helping Governments and Industry become more efficient through the use of information technology. When not working he enjoys the outdoors, fishing, reading, and civic affairs.

John reviewed a few of the highlights of his career following graduation from SUNY Albany, beginning with landing his first position with New York City by writing an essay in response to an article in the newspaper. He was among nine who were ultimately selected for an Urban Fellowship, which resulted in his early political training and civic employment beginning with the Department of Social Services participating in Project Management for NYC.

Several projects later he stepped out into private sector consulting, leading a rehabilitation services team; and then he was back into the city administration serving the Department of Finance. Moving back into the private sector again, John lead projects for American Management Systems (AMS) and as Information Technology began to emerge, he had an opportunity to manage the data center. After a few interesting and complex experiences, John wound up in the midst of acquisition and merger when Conseillers en Gestion et Informatique (CGI) acquired AMS.

When much of the data center was moved to India, it provided an opportunity to experience multicultural management incorporating software development teams around the globe: India, Canada, and USA. John loved his travel to India and learning about their culture, telling us how kind and hospitable they were. He also told us how beautiful the country

side was.

John concluded

his story with a short description of one of his favorite Rotary projects: Josh the Otter, a water safety education program for pre-K children. He enjoys reading the story that ends with a bigger than life otter dancing and singing about floating and never swimming alone.

After a brief Q & A, President Sue thanked John for sharing some

of his life and career experiences, as well as his leadership in our club, especially looking forward to the Josh the Otter project John leads in the spring.

We are a small friendly dinner club with strong Rotary Foundation support. Our membership includes three past district governors and special enthusiasm for youth and literacy service. We distribute dictionaries to six local elementary schools, bring Josh the Otter with a swim safety program to three pre-K schools, and honor a Rotary Scholar each month for the high school hosting our Interact club.

Are you an established professional who wants to make positive changes in your community and the world? Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship. Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group who share your drive to give back.

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Rotary Boca Raton Sunset, PO Box 810427, Boca Raton, FL 33481-0427

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Upcoming Speakers

No Meeting

Oct 14, 2019

Columbus Day

Rotary in Action Day

Oct 21, 2019

Bring a Guest

Melissa Bhatnagar

Oct 28, 2019

Featured Rotarian

Past Speakers

FAU HS Rotary Scholar

Oct 07, 2019

Jennifer Mendonca

View entire list...

2019-20 Events: Jul-Dec

Nearing Activities & Events

July 8-Nov 30: 2019 PAL Half Marathon: Donations benefit Boca PAL and Rotary vocation awards. Phase 2 began 9/1/19 to recruit donors for supplies, food, and drink for race day, weekly sign-up sheet at club meetings. Race is scheduled for 11/30/19. Phase 1 began June 10, 2019 to recruit sponsors for the race, we exceeded goal, but additional donations still sought.

October 13, 2019 Pins for Polio: Bowling team forming under leadership of John Ross. Project organized and produced by Rotary Downtown Boca Raton. Fun and Funding event occurs 2-4 pm at Stikes, Boca Raton.

October 14, 2019: Rotary Delray Beach meeting at 7 pm and recognizing RI Polio Plus with CART project and speakers with focus on Alzheimer's Research. Rotary Boca Raton Sunset not meeting in recognition of national holiday for Columbus Day but members are encouraged to attend the Delray Beach club meeting.

October 21, 2019: Rotary Information Day will focus on providing Rotary People of Action stories and objectives as well as how Rotary Boca Raton Sunset is involved in community leadership. Members are encouraged to bring guests.

October 24, 2019: Rotary International Polio Day observed at Rotary Boca Raton Sunrise, 7 am. Rotary Boca Raton Sunset members are encouraged to attend the Sunrise club meeting.