As Rotary District 5930 celebrates Youth Service Month, we proudly recognize the students, advisors, Rotarians, educators, and families who are shaping the next generation of leaders through service, leadership development, cultural exchange, and ethical decision-making.
Throughout our district, young people are discovering that Rotary is more than an organization. It is a pathway to leadership, friendship, global understanding, and meaningful community impact.
Youth are not only the future of Rotary. They are also making an impact today. Across District 5930, our Interactors, RYLA participants, Youth Exchange student, speech contestants, Rotaractors, and emerging leaders are demonstrating compassion, courage, and commitment to service above self.
This year, our clubs continued to invest in programs that empower young people to lead with integrity, build lifelong friendships, and serve their communities with purpose. Whether participating in leadership camps, international exchanges, or service projects, our youth are creating a powerful butterfly effect throughout South Texas and beyond.
Thank you to every Rotary club, advisor, counselor, volunteer, educator, and parent who makes these opportunities possible. Together, we truly “Unite for Good.”
Thank You to Our Rotary Clubs and Volunteers
Youth programs succeed because of dedicated Rotarians who invest their time, talents, and resources into the next generation.
District 5930 extends heartfelt appreciation to:
Lt. Governor Greg Perkes, District Youth Program Chair
Dr. Ralph Silva, District Interact Program Chair
Stan Petraitis, District Rotaract Program Chair
Mary McQueen, District RYL Program Chair
Marissa Ford, Youth Exchange Officer
Dr. Patricia Abrego, District International Service Chair
Anna Putegnat, District Four-Way Test Speech Contest Coordinator
AG Danny Peña, Youth Protection Officer & Member of the District Incident Review Committee
PDG Andy Hagan, Chair, District Incident Review Committee
IPDG Dr. Zehra Surani, Member of the District Incident Review Committee
Club President Victor Rivera, Member of the District Incident Review Committee
Club Interact Advisors
RYLA and Mini-RYLA Volunteers
School Sponsors and School Administrators hosting Interact Clubs
Speech Contest Judges, student participants, and their families
Your commitment ensures that Rotary continues to empower young leaders who will strengthen our communities and our world.
District Foundation Dinner and District Conference
Special thanks are extended to all those Rotarians who attended our concluding celebration on April 24-25, 2026, and to all our sponsors who helped make the experience memorable.
PDG Ben Bauer from D6250 represented Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo, and IPDG Dr. Zehra Surani and Dr. Salim Surani were the aides to Ben Bauer and his wife, Kate.
Thank you to our Masters of Ceremony, Kathleen Clark, Dr. Luis Torres-Hostos, Dr. Elsa Cardenas-Hagan, and Andy Crocker.
A special shout-out is extended to PDG Eddie Bartnesky, our District Foundation Chair, for recognizing all our Foundation Donors and community-based Paul Harris Fellow recipients, Graciela Camarena (Children’s Defense Fund – RGV), and Steve Taylor and Ron Whitlock (Rio Grande Guardian).
Congratulations to PDG Andy Hagan for being selected as The Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Award recipient for 2025-2026. Only 50 Rotarians from around the world are selected each year.
The program would not have been possible without the tireless support of DGND Adriana Contreras Hernandez, our Webmaster, Bettsy Pizaña, Rhodora Elizondo, Hotel Coordinator, Sonia Quintero, Event Decorations, and Kathy Preddy (Registration Name Tags). And thank you to our District Treasurer, PDG Kent Grier, for managing the expenses for this event.
We look forward to DGE Jack Alspaugh’s Installation Luncheon on June 6, 2026, at the Embassy Suites Hotel in McAllen. Please visit our website for early bird registration.
Creating Safe, Respectful, and Supportive Environments for All Youth
Rotary District 5930 is committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety, protection, and well-being for all youth who participate in Rotary-sponsored activities and programs. As we expand opportunities for leadership development, cultural exchange, and service learning, we reaffirm our responsibility to create environments where young people feel safe, respected, valued, and supported.
The District Youth Protection Policy applies to all Rotary-sponsored youth activities.
District Commitment to Youth Protection
District 5930 believes that every young person has the right to:
Be treated with dignity and respect
Participate in programs free from harassment, abuse, discrimination, or exploitation
Learn and grow in safe and supportive environments
Have concerns reported and addressed promptly and appropriately
All Rotarians, volunteers, counselors, advisors, chaperones, and program participants share responsibility for protecting youth and modeling ethical conduct consistent with Rotary values.
Key Elements of the District Youth Protection Policy
Screening and Background Checks
All volunteers who work directly with youth in Rotary-sponsored programs must comply with district screening requirements, including background checks where applicable and permitted by law.
Mandatory Training
Youth program volunteers and leaders are required to complete Youth Protection training through the Rotary Learning Center. In order to access this training, please open a “MyRotary.org” account. This will allow you to access all the wonderful resources offered through Rotary.
Reporting Procedures
Any allegation, concern, or suspected violation involving youth safety must be reported immediately to designated district leadership and handled in accordance with Rotary International guidelines and applicable laws.
District 5930 is committed to responding promptly, fairly, and responsibly to all reports involving youth protection concerns.
A Shared Responsibility
Youth protection is not simply a policy. It is a shared commitment to safeguarding the trust that students, parents, schools, and communities place in Rotary.
District 5930 thanks all Rotarians, educators, parents, and volunteers who help ensure that our youth programs remain safe, inclusive, and empowering experiences for every participant.
Together, we continue to “Unite for Good” by protecting, mentoring, and inspiring the next generation of leaders.
District 5930’s Youth Summit brought together student leaders from across the district on Saturday, April 11, 2026, for a morning of collaboration, learning, and inspiration.
The assembly provided opportunities for participants to:
Share ideas and service projects
Meet students from Ukraine via Zoom
Learn leadership and communication skills
Explore opportunities within Rotary youth programs
The event, organized by and hosted by the Los Fresnos CISD Interact Club, demonstrated the incredible potential of young leaders when given encouragement, mentorship, and opportunities to serve.
Interact Clubs: Service in Action
Interact Clubs throughout District 5930 continue to make a remarkable impact in their schools and communities. Sponsored by Rotary clubs, Interact gives high school students opportunities to:
Develop leadership skills
Organize community service projects
Promote international understanding
Build friendships and teamwork
Learn the value of “Service Above Self”
This year, Interact clubs participated in food drives, environmental projects, school improvement initiatives, literacy campaigns, holiday outreach programs, and community volunteer efforts.
The Los Fresnos CISD Interact Club developed and hosted our District Youth Summit 2026, which also hosted our District Four-Way Test Speech Contest. Additional information can be found below.
District 5930 applauds our Interact advisors, campus administrators, Rotary sponsors, and student leaders for their dedication and enthusiasm. Their energy and creativity continue to strengthen Rotary’s presence in communities throughout South Texas.
The Rotary Youth Exchange Program remains one of Rotary’s most powerful opportunities for promoting peace and international understanding.
Through Youth Exchange, students experience new cultures, languages, traditions, and perspectives while serving as ambassadors of goodwill. Host families, counselors, and sponsoring clubs provide support and encouragement that create unforgettable experiences for both students and communities.
District 5930 is proud of the Rotarians who continue to support this important program and provide safe, welcoming environments for exchange students from around the world.
Youth Exchange changes lives by fostering global citizenship, cultural appreciation, and lifelong international friendships.
The annual Four-Way Test Speech Contest continues to inspire students across District 5930 to think critically about ethics, integrity, and responsible leadership.
Using Rotary’s Four-Way Test as the foundation for their speeches, students address real-world issues while demonstrating exceptional public speaking skills and thoughtful analysis.
The Four-Way Test asks:
Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
This year’s participants impressed audiences with their insight, confidence, and passion for positive change. District 5930 congratulates all contestants and thanks the clubs, judges, educators, and coordinators who support this outstanding program.
One of the signature youth programs in District 5930 continues to be RYLA, our Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. This transformational leadership experience brings together outstanding students from across the district for an immersive program focused on:
Leadership development
Team-building and collaboration
Ethical decision-making
Communication skills
Community engagement
Rotary values and service
Participants leave RYLA inspired to become servant leaders in their schools and communities. Through interactive activities, workshops, and mentorship, students gain confidence while building friendships that often last a lifetime.
District 5930 extends sincere appreciation to the RYLA Committee, Rotary volunteers, facilitators, and sponsoring clubs who make this life-changing experience possible.
Mini-RYLA Expands Leadership Opportunities
This year, District 5930 continued to expand access to youth leadership development by developing a Mini-RYLA program model hosted within our regional hubs.
Mini-RYLA provides students and first-time participants with a condensed leadership experience that introduces Rotary values, teamwork, and personal growth in a fun and engaging environment. These local programs help clubs identify future leaders while increasing youth participation across the district.
The success of Mini-RYLA reflects our district’s commitment to decentralizing training opportunities and bringing impactful programs closer to home.
Let's be ready and celebrate the Installation Luncheon for the Club Presidents and District Leadership of the Rotary Year 2026-2027. Register now to get a special ticket price of $65 until May 18.
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