Rotary Club of Los Alamos

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.

Get Your Tickets For Crab Fest This Weekend!

The Los Alamos Rotary 1312, Inc., Board of Directors cordially invite you to attend our 17th Annual Crabfest Fundraiser & Live Auction event on Saturday, Feb. 22. This year, our event will take place at the Cottonwood on the Greens venue. Please extend this invitation to your family, friends, neighbors and business associates. This event is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we need your support to help us provide the same level of local, regional, and international service programs, such as Meals of Hope, Local Scholarships, Youth Exchange, LAHS Memorial Garden, and more.

In response to several requests, take-out orders will be available this year! This year, in-shell crab will be served.

Please pay by check ($80/person) to:

Los Alamos Rotary 1312, Inc., PO Box 986, Los Alamos NM 87544

Or purchase tickets online.

Santa Fe Peace Conference Update

Rotary’s history reminds us that peace is not passive—it is built, nurtured, and sustained through intentional action. Rotary International with the Rotary Action Group for Peace continues this mission by:

Empowering communities with sustainable peace projects
Equipping future leaders through Rotary Peace Fellowships
Strengthening Peacebuilder Clubs to amplify local and global impact.

Our legacy is not just in what we have done—it is in what we continue to do. Every conversation, project, and partnership brings us closer to a world where peace is not just an ideal, but a reality.

So how is our Club recognizing February PeaceBuilding month?What steps are we taking now to promote peace worldwide?

We are joining with the Santa Fe Centro Rotary Club in a project to hold a Peace Conference and raise a Peace Pole in Santa Fe. The conference will be held at La Fonda on October 3rd, and the Peace Pole will be placed Mescaione Park on the corner of Paseo De Peralta & Hillside Ave just below the Cross of the Martyrs.

We will be inviting other NNM clubs & the public to attend and plan to invite speakers from LANL, our sister city in Japan, and Hiroshima as well as local speakers from UNM & Southwestern College who will guide us in ways to embrace peace in our lives & actively participate in peace building.

Jan 14: Los Alamos Police Chief Sgambellone

Greetings Rotarians and Friends,

I hope the new year is off to a good start and everybody is still sticking to their new year resolutions! As a club, I hope we can commit to recruiting new members, collaborating on new projects, and making more of an impact in our local communities and abroad. I’m currently recharging my soul in Bolivia, mountain biking the world’s deadliest road, watching the pink flamingos of the altiplano, hiking to new heights, exploring ancient Incan temples, and embracing the colorful traditions. Meanwhile, I’m also keeping an eye out for opportunities to collaborate with the local Rotary clubs. See below for a Rotary sighting from Uyuni, home of the world’s largest salt flat.

Yours in Rotary,
James Wernicke

This Week’s Speaker: LAPD Chief Sgambellone

We are honored to welcome Los Alamos Police Chief Dino Sgambellone as this week’s guest speaker. With a distinguished career in law enforcement and a commitment to community safety, Chief Sgambellone has been a vital leader in ensuring Los Alamos remains a safe and thriving place to live and work.

As Chief of Police, he has implemented innovative programs and fostered strong community partnerships to address local challenges. Today, he will share insights on the current state of public safety, the department’s ongoing initiatives, and how we can all play a role in fostering a safe and connected community.

Santa Fe Peace Conference in October

The Santa Fe El Centro Rotary club is hoping to hold a peace conference in October of this year as well as erecting a peace pole in one of the Santa Fe parks. La Fonda has generously offered to host the luncheon and the club is busy recruiting speakers. They also hope to have an art show of work done by local school students that to auction off to raise funds. The club has already committed $500 towards this expense. It would be much appreciated if our club could add a donation to our budget.

Holiday Cheer And A Happy New Year

You may have noticed there hasn’t been a newsletter in a while. That’s because between tying off loose ends on work projects before the long holiday break, planning family adventures for the break, and enjoying said adventures, I’ve been really busy! But I finally have some downtime, relaxing with family and friends in Mexico. I hope you all are relaxing, surrounded by those dear to you.

Tales from Mexico

Although our trip was primarily destined for Huasteca Potosina, we stopped to meet with members of the Rotary Club of Monclova whom I first met at the Bi-District Conference last month. They’re working on some interesting service projects including bringing clean water to schools and a mobile healthcare clinic to service rural areas.

We met with members of the Rotary Club of Monclova on the first night of our trip.
As you enter and leave Monclova, there are prominent Rotary signs showing their meeting times and locations.
Trey & I rappelled down a 164-foot cliff next to Cascadas de Minas Viejas, San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
After swimming behind a waterfall, diving through a submerged cave, climbing up through a hidden cavern, we popped out here for this family photo at Puente de Dios, San Luis Potosi, Mex.
Cuetlaxochitl (poinsettia) on display in Alejandra’s hometown of Durango, the colonial capital of Mexico.

Next Club Meeting January 7

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A post shared by Los Alamos Interact Club (@lahs_rotaryinteract)

Our next club meeting will be January 7. LAHS Interact Club President Alyssa Sun will present what Interact has been doing this year. I won’t spoil it, but they’ve been doing a lot!

December Club Party Recap

Our club’s holiday party at Muy Salsas was a great chance to catch up with members and their families, reminisce on what was accomplished in 2024, and start looking forward to what’s to come in 2025. To those members who couldn’t make it, we missed you! Here’s some pictures shared by members.

2025 Crab Fest Coming Soon!

Club President Greg Viola is currently working out the logistics with Cottonwood on the Greens and Knights of Columbus to host our biggest fundraiser. We need all the help we can get with advertising, sponsorships, and serving meals. Have some ideas? Please share them at the next meeting or email board@rotarylosalamos.org.

Bagel & Bingo Breakfast January 10

The Los Alamos Community Foundation is a hosting a free community breakfast Friday, January 10 8:30-10 AM at the Betty Ehart Senior Center where you can learn more about what’s coming up (grants, programs, meetings, etc.) and share your ideas for creating a stronger community!

Nov 26: Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear Rotarians and Friends,

As we enjoy delicious meals and cherished company this holiday, let’s take some time to reflect on all we have to be thankful for, and extend our gratitude to the community that supports us, the partners who join us in our efforts, and each one of you who dedicates your time and talents to making an positive impact in our community and beyond. Thank you for being an integral part of this Rotary family. May your Thanksgiving be filled with warmth, joy, and food comas.

Yours in Rotary,
James Wernicke

LAHS Interact Club Raises $1334 To Combat Human Trafficking

Dear Rotarians,

Bob and I attended the Interact fundraiser last night in support of Vos Tambien, a non-profit in Argentina that works to prevent human trafficking. A representative from the organization gave a very informative presentation about Vos Tambien’s work and the heart-breaking circumstances they try to alleviate, especially among women and children. A sobering comment: “Drugs can only be sold once; a child can be sold over and over and over.”

With donations, a bake sale, and silent auction, Interactors raised $1342. They are to be congratulated for their hard work, attentive planning, and enthusiasm. We are so fortunate to have them representing Rotary!

See you on December 3rd. In the meantime, best wishes for a healthy and abundant Thanksgiving!

– Linda H.

Flowers For Linda

Dear Rotarians,

On behalf of our Club, I ordered this arrangement from Flowers by Gillian
for Linda Bullock as she recovers from her recent fall. She assured me the
flowers are beautiful and lifting her spirits!

– Linda H.

RYE Student Annabelle Rosette On Spain

Last week, Annabelle Rosette presented on her experience with Rotary Youth Exchange last year in Spain. During her time abroad, she fully embraced the culture, immersing herself in the language, traditions, and daily life of her host community and international friends. In addition to Spanish, she took Latin and Greek classes, walked the Camino de Santiago, and hiked the Pyrenees.

2025 Zone Institute Early Registration Ends Nov 30!

After an absence of 15 years, the Zone 26/27 Institute will be held in Albuquerque next October 23-25, 2025. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience Rotary beyond our communities and our District. Every Rotarian is welcome to attend the Institute but, based on my experience as a Club President and Governor, Club and District leaders will especially benefit from the Zone Institute experience!

You’ll meet Zone leadership as well as Rotary International and Rotary Foundation leaders. You’ll meet Rotarians from our Zones with lots of programs and ideas. Rotarians from West Texas to Hawaii, from New Mexico to the northern border (and even Vancouver, BC) will be there!

Experience peer-to-peer sessions, presentations on topics as diverse as AI, experiences of our Peace Fellow, a Polio Day project, dedicating a Peace Pole and, of course, presentation of District 5520 Governor-Elect Jeff Weinrach and Clare.

Early registration at considerable savings is available now through the end of November. Register now HERE or using the link on the attached flyer! See you there!

Tom Walker
District 5520 Zone Institute Support Co-Chair

Tonight: County Proclamation For Los Alamos Gives, Support Your Favorite Non-Profits For A Surprise $1000 Grant

At tonight’s meeting, the County Council will recognize community organizations and Los Alamos Gives. Show your support by wearing your community organization shirt and nominating them for a chance at a $1000 grant. Visit https://losalamosgives.org for more info on how you can support location community organizations.