06/30/2026
As another Rotary year comes to a close, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude.
When I stepped into the presidency, my goal wasn't just to lead meetings or organize projects. It was to help reconnect our club with the traditions that have always made Lake Elsinore Rotary special—celebrating one another, recognizing service, and remembering that fellowship is just as important as the work we do.
At my demotion party, I had the privilege of recognizing some incredible people who make our club what it is.
🏆 The Roll Up Your Sleeves Award – Gustavo Rodriguez
🏆 The Connecting Communities Award – Alain Guevara
🏆 The Everywhere at Once Award – Ed Cardenas
🏆 The Heart of Fellowship Award – Mary Kiriaku
🏆 The Full Circle Award – Alex Ela
🏆 The All In Award – Brittany Tibbet
🏆 The Courage to Say Yes Award – President Pat Johnson (along with his President's Survival Kit!)
🏆 My "Type of Crazy" Award – Christopher Webber ❤️
🏆 The Steady Heart Award – Michele Muñoz
Two awards, however, carried a little extra meaning.
❤️ The Papa Kim Legacy Award was created to honor Kim Cousins for the countless lives he has impacted through Rotary. His legacy isn't measured by projects or positions—it's measured by the people he believed in, mentored, and inspired. Although Kim wasn't able to attend, his presence was felt throughout the evening. The family he helped build within Lake Elsinore Rotary will continue to grow because of the roots he planted.
🔨 The Demotion Party We Owe You Award was presented to Mike Norkin. More than a decade ago, Mike never received the celebration every Rotary president deserves. It was an honor to finally recognize his leadership, present him with a personalized gavel, and thank him for challenging all of us to continually ask, “What could we do if we thought bigger?"
One of my favorite parts of the evening was giving everyone a puzzle piece as a reminder that every member is an essential part of our club. No one person makes Rotary special. It's the people, working together, that create something bigger than themselves.
Thank you to Mike, Michele, and Chris for putting together such a meaningful celebration and helping continue this wonderful tradition.
Thank you to every member of the Lake Elsinore Rotary Club for allowing me to serve—not once, but twice—as your president. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life.
Here's to another year of service, friendship, and continuing to grow the Rotary family. 💙💛
