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Pictured from left are Neil Deppe, President Elect; Valerie Rickert, Art Teacher at First Avenue Elementary School; Wendy Guyton, Event Coordinator; Joe Guyton, President and George Corrigan, Chairman Youth Services
The SaddleBrooke Rotary Club had a very successful fundraising event which benefited three schools in the area. The large venue was filled with people enthusiastic and serious about the importance of the arts in our education system. Neil Deppe, President Elect, chaired the event. Wendy Guyton, who put out a great effort in making the contest and other aspects of the event, was the Event Coordinator. Joe Guyton is the club President.
The event featured Diana Madaras, a famous painter who resides in Tucson. The goal was to raise money for the arts at First Avenue Elementary, Oracle Elementary and Coronado Elementary schools. Ms. Madaras spoke at the event and provided a painting for auction and all of the prizes for the winners of the art contest.
Fifth graders from all three schools competed in the art contest. There was a limit of 10 entries per school. Entries were inspired by the theme, “The Colors of Tucson” the title of a series of paintings by Ms. Madaras. Congratulations to Augie Romero who took 1st Place and Keira Boulware who took 2nd Place. Along with their ribbons, they each received a book and gift certificate to the Madaras Gallery in Tucson. Augie was awarded a $50 gift certificate and Kiera received a $40 certificate. A student from Coronado took third Place with an Oracle student receiving Honorable Mention.
The event raised $2,200 for each of the school’s art departments. An enthusiastic “Thank You” has gone out to the SaddleBrooke Rotary Club! Here at First Avenue, we are planning to use the donation for various supplies, etc. for the art department. Some of the supplies will be for creating a mural that we plan to install in the cafeteria. The mural will depict Arizona scenery and include a note of recognition and thanks to the SaddleBrooke Rotary Club’s support of the arts in our school.
Pictured from left are Neil Deppe, President Elect; Joe Guyton, President; Wendy Guyton, Event Coordinator; Kaitlyn Miller, Music Teacher at Mountain Vista School; and George Corrigan, Chairman Youth Services.
On Tuesday January 2, 2017, officials from the SaddleBrooke Rotary Club traveled to San Manuel, Oracle and Catalina to present checks to the local schools. Thanks to a fundraiser held in SaddleBrooke, the Rotary donated a total of $6,600 to the three school’s fine arts programs. The Rotary Club presented a check to First Avenue Elementary in San Manuel to Art Teacher Valerie Rickert. The Rotary Club presenters were Neil Deppe, President Elect, Wendy Guyton, Event Coordinator, Joe Guyton President and George Corrigan, Chairman of youth Services.
At Oracle Elementary, a check was presented to the music teacher Kaitlyn Miller. Ms. Miller showed the Rotary her classroom and told them of her plans to use their donation. She plans on purchasing 25 ukuleles for the school’s music program.
At the Coronado Elementary School in Catalina, a check was presented to Art Teacher Stacey Miller and Principal Gerard Ball. Each school received $2,200. The SaddleBrooke Rotary is also supporting other education programs including honoring the San Manuel High School’s Students of the Month.
Thank you SaddleBrooke Rotary for supporting our schools!
John Hernandez lives in Oracle. He is retired and enjoys writing and traveling. He is active in the Oracle Historical Society. He covers numerous public events, researches historical features and writes business/artist profiles.
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