And just like that it is 2022. Had you ever thought that 2021 could have gone by that fast? Perhaps for some it didn’t go by fast enough. But if you’re a Breakfast Rotarian, 2021 was filled with many fond memories. We did many service projects that not only energized our already eager members, but they also made a significant difference in changing the lives of those we touched. Just take our results from the hard work of BBRC members who made Wine, Place and Show a resounding success. The results provided major additional financial support to the 999 Foundation. I could go on and on. The momentum our club is headed with projects is encouraging and under President Jeff Haynes leadership 2022 is expected to be a year we will not soon forget. We have welcomed new members, have had a few that have moved, and have others, who for medical reasons, have had to take brief absences. Yet, through all we do and all we are, Breakfast Rotarians presence and activity in Bakersfield is well known as we move full steam ahead. And yes, in 2021 we finally fo
und a home at Lino’s Venue. Amen! Happy New Year’s Breakfast Rotarians.
und a home at Lino’s Venue. Amen! Happy New Year’s Breakfast Rotarians.Our morning’s meeting began with Marlene Heise giving a message of peace, understanding and unity. Our songstress tested our vocal cords with the Four Way Test song. It should be noted that our stylish President Jeff was adorned in a little different attire. Wearing a denim trench coat, blue jeans and white tennis shoes, The Prez told us he was setting the theme of the morning’s tribute to the 80s! I like that and I am sure all of you did. The Prez held a well-devised fun 80’s trivia contest later in the meeting where he tried to stump the membership with questions related to 80’s music. Anyone born from 1955 to 1975 should have gotten mostly right. I didn’t do too well on the contest, and I was eve
n born between the dates. I think my excuse was that I was a young patrolman working the Streets of Bakersfield every night while attending Cal State Bakersfield, so I didn’t get to party much. Oh well, thanks President Jeff for keeping the meetings fun!
n born between the dates. I think my excuse was that I was a young patrolman working the Streets of Bakersfield every night while attending Cal State Bakersfield, so I didn’t get to party much. Oh well, thanks President Jeff for keeping the meetings fun!**Featured Presentation**
Welcome Pete Leveroni who introduced our morning’s featured speaker, Bakersfield City Schools Superintendent Mark Luque. Mr. Luque who grew up in Bakersfield and attended local schools knows all too well the needs of our city’s grade school children. The school district has 29,400 students from K-8th grade on a total of 44 campus sites. What Mr. Luque told us is nothing short of daunting. Of the total number of students 91.7% are classified as socioeconomically disadvantaged. Just think for a moment what that would look like 
in any community, let alone for children. Needless to say, Mr. Luque and the employees that comprise the school district at all of their campuses have their work cut for them. As Mr. Luque stated, the pandemic has done nothing to heighten the learning atmosphere for the students. In fact, as many as 1000 students (my guess would be more) have not returned to their school sites in spite of mandates being eased that allowed them to return. To further complicate the achievement for success for students, the district’s current attendance levels are only 80% with students missing on average 18 days a year. This is not a blueprint for academic success.
in any community, let alone for children. Needless to say, Mr. Luque and the employees that comprise the school district at all of their campuses have their work cut for them. As Mr. Luque stated, the pandemic has done nothing to heighten the learning atmosphere for the students. In fact, as many as 1000 students (my guess would be more) have not returned to their school sites in spite of mandates being eased that allowed them to return. To further complicate the achievement for success for students, the district’s current attendance levels are only 80% with students missing on average 18 days a year. This is not a blueprint for academic success. Mr. Luque reported that he and district employees are committed to the students through a series of Values, Vision, Mission and Goals. These principals are ideals of Integrity, Caring, Collaboration and Personal and Collective Accountability. I won’t go into detail, but I will share some take-aways. The principles may not solve immediate concerns towards the education these children are receiving, but you should know that the school district has a structured plan to respond to today’s challenges while projecting the marketability of these students’ talents and skill as they enter their high school years.
With that in mind let’s see what Mr. Luque had to say about student Collaboration and Collective Accountability. Mr. Luque is in support of these two objectives which embrace the concept of reaching beyond the schools to collaborate with outside for-profit and non-profit companies to bring added value to the students’ education. This can be displayed by learning what community employer needs are and fitting the education the children receive to meet these employer demands. Another example is to prepare students to function and communicate in a world that requires meeting a standard that gives students a chance to integrate into adult society. You might be saying to yourself, isn’t that the par
ents job? Or you might say, kids will be kids and they will mature. Yes…and No. Remember, I shared with you the student’s economic disadvantage, and let me add that what comes along with that is the potential of high school dropout and arrest rates. We want to curb those miserable statistics and so does Mr. Luque.
ents job? Or you might say, kids will be kids and they will mature. Yes…and No. Remember, I shared with you the student’s economic disadvantage, and let me add that what comes along with that is the potential of high school dropout and arrest rates. We want to curb those miserable statistics and so does Mr. Luque.To give children a chance to succeed, parents play a pivotal role. Yet, Mr. Luque stated that many students come from homes with guardians or parents that don’t have the level of academic and vocational sophistication that would enable their children to have a high level of academic performance. To aid parents, Mr. Luque provides programs specifically directed at the district’s parents to help themselves see the value of a better education than they had. Also he wants to them to consider raising their personal expectations and prospects for a better career through returning to school or job re-training. The district’s Parent University offers these opportunities. I think most of us in Breakfast Rotary ponder that, “I don’t remember anything like that when I was in grade school”? No, you don’t. Those that have interacted firsthand with local students begin to understand the desperation these children face daily. Past President Denise Haynes noted that our club provides dictionaries every year to the third-grade students at the district’s Fremont School.
Mr. Luque told us he and his schoolteachers are not only dealing with COVID, which has seriously compromised the delivery of a good education for students; recreational video games are a major distraction. With students staying home, as mandated for as many as 10 days if diagnosed, students are distracted with to the use of video games and devices that have little to do with education and everything to do with academic failure. Mr. Luque and his team of educators are providing real-world alternatives which are poised to catch student’s attention, and help them to adopt transferrable skills that can help them succeed as young adults. These programs could range from music to robotic programs.
Most important to Mr. Luque is creating a Culture of Literacy in his schools. What is it? Reading, Reading and… more Reading. This coupled with what is known as the district’s, Portrait of a Graduate, asks “What are skills and competencies does the district want its students to have?” To accomplish this “Portrait”, students, parents, teachers, and principals must become stakeholders in advancing student progress so that they can stay in route to graduation.
I have not met Mr. Luque in the past, but I like him. He is a hero and he is a local guy. I like that. His family is here and yes, the students are his family too. He has signed on to a major challenge to oversee one of the largest school districts in the state. He maintains a positive attitude despite having to deal with unique and difficult situations. But he still believes there is hope and has optimism. That’s the kind of leader who the district needs, someone who possesses hometown roots with a penchant for reaching the school district’s goals. We thank Mr. Luque for his informative and eye-opening presentation and welcome him to Rotary anytime, even if he is a member of another local Rotary club. Mr. Luque provided his phone of (661) 631-4611 or visit the district website at BCSD.com. Our Beacon Clue is at which elementary school do we annually provide dictionaries to students.
**Announcements**
Past President
Mike O’Doherty and wife Brenda are celebrating their 41st wedding anniversary. Here you go Mike, not only giving up your age, but revealing to us you married for Love. Atta-a-boy! Rotary Anniversary’s include Honorary Members and Past Presidents Carl Leech 42 years, and Gerald “Jerry” Starr 43 years. Our very own Membership Dictator, or I mean Director Pat Thompson guesses that he had been a member for 8 years. The Prez corrected him stating it has been 7 years. Way to go Breakfast Rotarians!
Mike O’Doherty and wife Brenda are celebrating their 41st wedding anniversary. Here you go Mike, not only giving up your age, but revealing to us you married for Love. Atta-a-boy! Rotary Anniversary’s include Honorary Members and Past Presidents Carl Leech 42 years, and Gerald “Jerry” Starr 43 years. Our very own Membership Dictator, or I mean Director Pat Thompson guesses that he had been a member for 8 years. The Prez corrected him stating it has been 7 years. Way to go Breakfast Rotarians!We had video ZOOM visit from Past President Karen Wass. Boy ‘o boy I such miss her and her husband Howie. Karen cited the pleasure of serving as our president during the 2009-10 term. She touted the two separate home make-over projects she directed and that our club was recognized by District 5240 as a Super Club! Thank You Karen.
Bakersfield College no longer has their “cheerleader”, Mary Jo Pasek. Yes, she has turned in her red and white pom-poms and has retired from the college. Through serving as Community Relations Representative, supporting the college in its pursuit for funding through Measure J, and various endowments amounting to million$$$$, MJs most recent monetary achievement was ushering in mega-funds for the college’s Agriculture Center. The college will just not be the same without you Mary Jo. We know your contributions have gone far and will be enjoyed by students for generations to come. Atta Gal Renegade!
*Upcoming Dates*
- Announced after this meeting date, the District 5240 District Conference and Foundation Gala most recently scheduled for January 28th – 30th is being postponed again. See the note from DG Dana and event chair MC McBride in this newsletter for more information.
- February 12th will be our Charter Night at Bakersfield Country Club
- March 11th -13th Buellton Social Flying Flags RV Resort
*Happy Spots*
Past President Ron Nelms has been busier than we all believed. Ron has been diligently working on a book entitled, “Putting Big Sticks by Little Sticks”. The catchy title captures Ron’s early on admiration with land surveying which became his true gift and profession. Ron, now a published author, will soon bring books to sign for those who want to know what to do with all their little sticks they have around their own house. Awesome Ron, we are all proud of your achievement.
Carol S
mith reports her son’s coffee business in Boston is perkin’ to the extent that they are roasting their own coffee beans. President Jeff received a 1lb. package of the Sojourn variety of beans to savior his morning palate.
mith reports her son’s coffee business in Boston is perkin’ to the extent that they are roasting their own coffee beans. President Jeff received a 1lb. package of the Sojourn variety of beans to savior his morning palate.With Mary Jo on the go at Bakersfield College, Mindy Wilmot is on the up. From chief librarian she was promoted to Dean of Instruction. Nice achievement Mindy and congrats!
Past President Cheryl Scott is practicing her German language while traveling to San Luis during the Christmas Season. For The Prez, Cheryl purchased in San Luis and gifted him a pair of little piggy socks. Ain’t they cute?
The Prez also has been traveling a bit lately. All the way to Hawaii. He scored a box of Macadamia Nuts covered in dark chocolate which he offered as an additional prize during the raffle! The lucky winner, Mike O’Doherty had better not use that as his anniversary gift to his wife!
The winning ticket of the drawing was picked out by Willie Gordon. The winner was Pat Thompson…hey wait a minute, I think there is some collusion there!
In Rotary,
Frank Wooldridge
Beacon Writer