Sugar Land Rotary

08/28/2026

Building Students Today. Building Teachers for Tomorrow.

This week, the Rotary Club of Sugar Land had the privilege of welcoming Dr. Roopa Gir, Co-Founder and Board Chair of iEducate, for an inspiring conversation about education, mentorship, and the future of our communities.

Dr. Gir brings an extraordinary journey to this mission.
A geophysicist with a Ph.D. in Seismology, she spent more than three decades with Schlumberger, including nearly 20 years working internationally, before turning her attention to public education.

A Gold Medalist from IIT Roorkee, she has also been recognized by her alma mater as a Distinguished Alumna for her contributions to technology and community service.

But what brought her to Rotary this week was the work she began in Houston in 2013.

While recruiting highly educated talent during her scientific career, Dr. Gir began asking an important question:

How do we get more young people interested and prepared in math and science—and how early do we need to start?

That question eventually became iEducate.
What began with approximately $500,000 in seed funding from Schlumberger evolved after Dr. Gir and her team entered elementary classrooms and discovered that the challenge was much deeper than STEM interest.

Children were struggling with foundational learning, while schools were simultaneously facing a shortage of well-prepared teachers.
iEducate developed a model to address both problems at once.

The organization places trained, paid college students directly alongside experienced teachers in K–6 classrooms. Children receive more individualized and small-group support, while college students gain extensive real-world classroom experience—and many discover a calling to become educators themselves.
Today, iEducate reports having engaged 1,000+ college tutors and reached more than 87,000 children across 150+ schools.

But the moment from Dr. Gir’s presentation that stayed with us wasn't a statistic.
She shared the story of a fourth-grade girl who wasn't doing her work because she had come to believe she was “dumb.”
A young iEducate mentor sat beside her. He encouraged her and gave her something she desperately needed: someone who believed she could succeed.

Over time, the child began to change.
And so did her mentor.
He later reflected that he had once approached opportunities by asking what he could gain from them.

This reminds us that sometimes children and teens may connect differently with a “big brother” or “big sister” figure—someone closer to their age who they can relate to, look up to, and learn from in a different way than they might with a parent or teacher.

His experience mentoring children taught him instead to think about what he could contribute to building his community.

That message resonated deeply in a Rotary room.
That is Service Above Self.
The testimonials from educators reinforce the impact. One HISD partner teacher reports students working with an iEducate tutor improving 20–50 points on District MAP assessments, along with noticeable gains in confidence and classroom participation.

Spring ISD Superintendent Dr. Lupita Hinojosa has also spoken about seeing the program improve student outcomes while inspiring college students to consider teaching careers.

The model is now receiving national recognition. In 2026, iEducate was selected to represent Houston in the Community Collaboration Challenge—one of only 20 communities chosen from more than 700 applicants nationwide.
And Dr. Gir is already looking toward what comes next.

Through Vision 2030, iEducate aims to help develop approximately 500 qualified teachers each year while reaching 25,000 children annually.

The connection to Rotary could not be more meaningful. Basic Education and Literacy is one of Rotary’s key areas of focus, and iEducate demonstrates what can happen when education, mentorship, youth leadership, and community service come together.
One child gains confidence.
One college student discovers a calling.
One teacher gains support.
One community grows stronger.

Thank you, Dr. Roopa Gir, for sharing your journey, the mission of iEducate, and a powerful reminder that investing in education doesn't impact just one child—it can strengthen an entire generation.

Service Above Self. In action.

08/15/2026

🎒 A new school year should begin with excitement—not worry about whether you have the supplies you need.

That simple thought brought members and volunteers of the Sugar Land Rotary Club together for a meaningful back-to-school service project at Bethel Ministries in Stafford.

On August 8, volunteers rolled up their sleeves and assembled school-supply bags for students across Stafford and Fort Bend who could use a little extra help getting ready for the new school year.

Bag by bag, notebooks, pencils, folders and other classroom essentials were packed with one purpose: to make sure local students can walk into school feeling prepared, confident and ready to learn.

Over the years, this service project has helped provide school supplies to hundreds of students in our community.

And while a bag of school supplies may seem like a small gesture, for a family trying to manage the many expenses that come with a new school year, it can mean much more.

This is what Rotary is about.
Sometimes service means responding to a major community need. Other times, it means gathering on a Saturday morning, forming an assembly line and filling shopping bags—knowing that each one will eventually reach a child who needs it.

Through partnerships with organizations like Bethel Ministries and many others serving our neighbors every day, Sugar Land Rotary helps connect people who want to give with organizations that know where help is needed most.

Because when community organizations, volunteers and Rotarians come together, small acts of service can create a much bigger impact.

To every volunteer who gave their Saturday morning and everyone who helped make this project possible—thank you. 💙💛

Service Above Self. People of Action.

08/10/2026

🌟 Great communities don’t just grow — they grow with vision.

We recently had the pleasure of welcoming Keri Schmidt, President & CEO of the Fort Bend Regional Partnership, to the Sugar Land Rotary Club.

Keri’s own story is closely connected to the remarkable growth of Fort Bend. She joined the organization more than two decades ago, after building a successful career in banking, and has since become one of the voices helping businesses, community leaders, and organizations think about where our region is headed next.

And that conversation matters now more than ever.

Fort Bend has transformed tremendously over the years, welcoming new families, businesses, industries, and opportunities.

But growth also brings important questions: How do we continue attracting business while protecting the quality of life that makes people want to live here?

How do we prepare our infrastructure, workforce, and environment for the next generation?
Keri will share her perspective on business growth and environmental stewardship, the opportunities ahead for Fort Bend, and what it takes to build a community that is not only economically strong, but sustainable for the future.
This is what I enjoy about our weekly Rotary meetings—we don't simply come together for lunch. We bring people from different parts of our community into the same room, learn from their experiences, exchange ideas, build relationships, and better understand how each of us can contribute.

💙 Come join us, meet Keri, and be part of the conversation about Fort Bend’s future.
Service Above Self.

07/31/2026

✨ Sometimes, changing the world begins with keeping one promise.

This week's Sugar Land Rotary Club meeting reminded me why I love being part of Rotary.

We had the privilege of hearing Nery Salazar, founder of Nery's Promise, share a story that left the room silent—and inspired.

As a teenager, Nery fled Honduras after violence threatened her family. During her journey to the United States, she became separated from her group and was left alone in the wilderness.

Hungry, barefoot, and believing she might not survive, she prayed and made a promise:
"God, if You save me, I will dedicate my life to helping Your children."
She survived.

Years later, after building a life in America with her husband and raising their own children, Nery remembered that promise.

Together, they began opening their home to neighborhood children. They provided a safe place after school, a warm meal, help with homework, and most importantly, love and hope.

One child became ten. Ten became hundreds.
Today, through Nery's Promise, they serve children and families by providing meals, backpacks, school supplies, clothing, tutoring, ESL classes, mentorship, and support.

Their dream isn't simply to feed children today—it's to help them graduate, learn a trade or attend college, build successful careers, and one day give back to the same community that believed in them.

One thing Nery said that stayed with me was that every child deserves someone who believes in them.
After hearing her incredible story, the Sugar Land Rotary Club did what Rotarians do best—we rolled up our sleeves.

Together, we packed meals that will go directly to the children served by Nery's Promise.

That's what makes Rotary so special.
Every week, we shine a light on people and organizations that are quietly transforming our community.

Whether it's nonprofits, educators, healthcare leaders, first responders, or local changemakers, Rotary doesn't just celebrate their work—we find ways to support it.

By bringing together volunteers, businesses, and community organizations, we multiply the impact that no one organization could achieve alone.

When a community supports those who are already serving others, everyone benefits.

Thank you, Nery and your husband, for reminding us that compassion can start with one promise and grow into a legacy that changes thousands of lives.

Service Above Self. ❤️💛

07/28/2026

Preparation isn't about expecting the worst—it's about being ready to help others when it matters most.

At last week's Rotary Club of Sugar Land meeting, we had the privilege of hearing from Tiffany S. Love, Founder and Executive Director of The Joseph Institute.

Drawing inspiration from the story of Joseph in Genesis 41, Tiffany shared a powerful reminder that preparedness begins long before a disaster strikes. When families, churches, and communities take time to plan ahead, they are better equipped not only to protect themselves but also to support their neighbors during times of crisis.

One message that stood out was simple yet impactful:

Prepared households build stronger communities.
Thank you, Tiffany, for challenging us to think beyond emergency supplies and focus on creating a culture of foresight, resilience, and service.

A special thank you to everyone who joined us for another meaningful Rotary meeting. Together, we continue learning, connecting, and finding new ways to make a positive impact in our community.
Service Above Self. 💙💛

07/27/2026

🌟 Another wonderful Rotary Social in the books! 🌟
It was a fantastic evening connecting with fellow Rotarians, guests, and friends over great food and even better conversations.
Rotary is more than just meetings—it's about building meaningful relationships, supporting one another, and working together to make a positive impact in our community. Every social reminds us that lasting friendships are the foundation of great service.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the evening so enjoyable.
We look forward to seeing you at our next event and continuing to live out our motto, Service Above Self.

❤️Together, we connect. Together, we serve. Together, we make a difference.

07/20/2026

Another thought-provoking morning at the Sugar Land Rotary Club! 💙💛

One of the most meaningful discussions last week centered around how rapidly AI and digitalization are transforming our lives—and how they are changing the way we preserve our memories for future generations.

From family photos and personal stories to community history and life experiences, technology is giving us incredible new ways to capture, organize, and share what matters most.

The conversation reminded us that while AI is a powerful tool, it's the human stories, relationships, and values behind the technology that truly create a lasting legacy.

Rotary continues to be a place where diverse perspectives spark meaningful conversations about the future while staying grounded in our commitment to service and community.

Looking forward to many more inspiring discussions and opportunities to make a positive impact together.

07/09/2026

Creating Lasting Impact Through Awareness & Action ❤️💛

This week, the Rotary Club of Sugar Land had the privilege of hearing from Rhonda Kuykendall, Task Force Director of Anti-Trafficking, who delivered a powerful and eye-opening presentation on human trafficking in Fort Bend County.

Rhonda shared valuable insights into the realities of human trafficking, challenged common misconceptions, and emphasized the importance of education, awareness, and community partnerships in protecting vulnerable individuals.

She also highlighted how organizations like Rotary can play a meaningful role in supporting law enforcement and victim service providers.

A heartfelt thank you to Rhonda Kuykendall for her dedication, courage, and commitment to making our communities safer. Your work is inspiring and reminds us that lasting change begins with awareness and collective action.

At Rotary, we believe that when communities come together to serve, educate, and support one another, we truly Create Lasting Impact.

07/02/2026

Where Service Builds Friendships, and Friendships Inspire Service. ❤️

One of the things I appreciate most about the Sugar Land Rotary Club is that our work doesn't begin at a service project or end when the volunteering is done.

Every month, we come together—not for a meeting, but to strengthen the friendships and trust that make our service possible. Around this table are business owners, healthcare professionals, educators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders who volunteer their time because they believe in making our community better.

These gatherings remind us that behind every project, every fundraiser, every scholarship, and every act of service are genuine relationships. We celebrate each other's successes, support one another through challenges, and leave inspired to do even more.

That's the magic of Rotary.
It's not just about networking.
It's not just about volunteering.
It's about finding a community of people who care, lead with purpose, and believe that together we can accomplish far more than any one of us could alone.

If you're looking for a place where you can give back, grow as a leader, build lifelong friendships, and have fun along the way, we'd love to welcome you.

Service Above Self. Always. 💙❤️

02/16/2026