LOS LUNAS — The Lending A Paw Interact Club of Los Lunas High School, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Los Lunas, has received the New Generations Award from Rotary District 5520.
The award is based upon the club’s service to the Los Lunas community. Usually awarded to an individual Rotarian or group, this is the first time the honor has been awarded to a high school club.
The award was presented to LAPI by Past District Gov. Richard Jones, of Santa Fe, and accepted by interactors, Kyleigh Winters, Jolynne Martza and Alicia Gamboa, who were also presenters at the conference.
Submitted photo
Pictured, from left, are Dan Garrison, Rotary District 5520 interact chairman; Alycia Gamboa, LAPI; Jolynne Martza, LAPI; Cecelia Atkins, LLHS sponsor; Linda Ohle; LLS sponsor; and Kyliegh Winters, LAPI president.
Rotary District 5520 is comprised of more than 60 Rotary clubs in the state of New Mexico and far west Texas. Interact is one of these youth programs, and is a Rotary-sponsored service program for youth from 12 to 18 years of age, who are passionate about making a difference.
With the guidance of their sponsors (teachers, Cecelia Atkins and Jessica Baldonado, and counselor Linda Ohle) and the support and advice of members of the Rotary Club of Los Lunas, LAPI has been involved in both school and community service for the past four years. In that time, they have conceived, planned and implemented more than 60 service projects to help others.
The projects range from cleaning Emilio Lopez Road from Main Street to Los Lunas High School to establishing and operating a free store open to the school and community. Among their many projects, LAPI has worked with elementary school students, assisted-living home residents, the Valencia County Animal Shelter, and has provided comfort blankets for first responders to give to children in need.
They have also helped with the Los Lunas Rotary Club’s Clothing for Kids project and pancake breakfasts.
The basis for the award is as follows: The Dick Jones / Rick Akins New Generations Award recognizes a Rotarian or Club in District 5520 that has made a significant contribution to Rotary’s “5th Avenue of Service” by encouraging and supporting the District’s youth programs and young adults through leadership development activities, involvement in the community and international service projects, and exchange programs all of which enrich and foster world peace and cultural understandings.
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April 18, 2024
