Mar 11: LAHS NJROTC Chief Ayers

Greetings Rotarians and Friends,

Last weekend, I attended the President-Elect Training Seminar (PETS). One of the activities was to share your reason for joining Rotary in front of the class so here it goes:

In 2017, my wife Alejandra was diagnosed with kidney failure. It was the first time in my life that I felt powerless. All of my knowledge, skill, and determination couldn’t change the reality we faced. Today, Alejandra is healthy thanks to the support of our neighbors and a complete stranger—a former heroin addict who one day felt guilty for not stopping to help someone stranded on the side of the road, and decided to walk into a hospital and donate a kidney. Not to a friend, not to a family member—just to anyone in need. That was the moment I understood what Rotary’s motto “Service Above Self” means.

From that point on, I made it my mission to pay it forward—to use my talents to help others in whatever way I could. But I quickly realized that alone, my impact was limited. No matter how much I gave, I was just one person.

Then I found Rotary—a global network of people who shared my vision for service. Here was a community of diverse professionals, coming together, pooling their skills, and multiplying their impact to be more than just the sum of our talents. That’s why I joined Rotary.

Service is powerful, but service together? That can change the world.

This Week’s Speaker

Today’s distinguished speaker, Chief Aron Ayers, serves as the Senior Naval Science Instructor for the Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) at Los Alamos High School.

Chief Ayers enlisted in the United States Navy in 1997, embarking on a notable career that spanned over two decades. His service included assignments on the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), USS De Wert (FFG 45), and USS Dewey (DDG 105), as well as shore tours in Pearl Harbor and Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. He demonstrated exceptional commitment in a variety of roles throughout his tenure, earning personal decorations including the Navy Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and two Navy Achievement Medals. Chief Ayers earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Historical and Political Studies from Chaminade University.

In 2022, Chief Ayers transitioned to education, assuming the role of Senior Naval Science Instructor at Los Alamos High School. Under his leadership, the NJROTC program, known as Topper Company, has flourished. The program emphasizes discipline, respect, and self-determination, providing students with opportunities to engage in competitive teams and community service. Notably, Topper Company was named a Distinguished Unit with Academic Honors for two consecutive years, reflecting the program’s excellence. Chief Ayers is deeply committed to the personal growth of his cadets, focusing on leadership development and community involvement.

Local Rotarians Cross Paths In Chile

Barry Gerst is a member of the El Centro Club of Santa Fe – the club we are doing our peace project with. He is on a hiking trip & by amazing coincidence, bumped into our exchange student, Luke Creel when he was in Punta Arenas!

– Alison Pannell

PETS 2025 Recap

This past weekend, District 5520 held its President-Elect Training Seminar (PETS), bringing together leaders from across the district to prepare for the 2025-26 Rotary year. The seminar provided an opportunity for incoming presidents to connect and build friendships while equipping them with essential skills to lead their clubs with passion and purpose. The first day featured discussions on the expectations of a Club President, including breakout sessions on conducting effective meetings, strategic planning, inspiring fellow Rotarians, and impactful communication. The second day delved into topics such as The Rotary Foundation, enhancing public image, membership growth strategies, goal setting, and networking opportunities.

Follow Us On YouTube

https://youtube.com/@RotaryClubOfLosAlamos

We are trying to get at least 50 followers on YouTube so we can unlock live streaming. Help us out and watch some interesting speakers at the same time!

Check Our Calendar For Upcoming Events

https://rotarylosalamos.org/calendar

Spring is coming and we’ll be starting our outdoor service projects soon. We also have fundraisers and other community events coming up. There’s an “Add to Calendar” link at the bottom that lets you subscribe to our calendar so you’ll always know when we’re doing something.