Barbara Barr Bengen
How many times have you been in a conversation about the shortage of people in vocational trades? We often ask, “Whatever happened to shop and other trades classes?” Everyone is talking about the need for more people entering the trades. So, the Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke did something about it. Working with the Copper Corridor schools, the Rotary Club hosted our first Vocational Trades Fair at Mammoth/San Manuel K-12 to introduce high school students to the wealth of opportunities in the vocational world.
The Vocational Fair is the brainchild of the Rotary Club’s Vocational Committee. Leading the committee is chair Bre Zientarski, the queen of organization. Members of the committee include Barbara Barr Bengen, Ann Brett, Wendy Guyton, Kim Johnson, Fran Lowy, Fred Lowy, John Oszust, Mark Phelps, Tom Shellenberger, James Taft, Ed Treick, Mary Kay Voss, Gordon Wainwright, and Pete Watson.
The swamp coolers were working overtime, humidity filled the sticky air, but the gymnasium was filled with eager students and representatives from numerous schools of higher learning, trade schools, the military, and members of the trades. The atmosphere wasn’t just electric—it was magic!
While the fair included typical organizations for academic institutions and vocational trades, as well as the military, it also featured local representatives of a wide variety of career paths. The Rotarians brought in role models from Golder Ranch Fire District, Miraval Spa, Robson Hospitality and Facilities Management, Desert Life Pharmacy technicians, Right at Home caregiving, Oracle Land and Homes, Harmony Healthcare, Pride Mechanical, EZ Automotive, remodeling, a hairdresser, and a representative of the Carpenters Union.
An even bigger, better Vocational Fair is planned for this spring. There will be even more representatives from a wide range of career paths. Chairperson Bre Zientarski is looking for even more role models to represent the various trades and career paths. If you have a suggestion or a contact, please contact Bre Zientarski at RotarySBAZ@gmail.com.
What is Rotary? It’s your friends and neighbors, gathering together to serve others and make a difference. As a group, there is a very special energy that happens when we work together. Rotary International is the world’s largest volunteer organization. Rotary clubs and projects are found in more countries than the Red Cross, McDonald’s, or Starbucks.
Our Rotary Club is open to those who work or live in SaddleBrooke, SaddleBrooke Ranch, Oracle, the Copper Corridor, Catalina, Oro Valley, and the surrounding area. The Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke meets at the Ranch House at SaddleBrooke Ranch on Thursdays. We enjoy lunch at 11 a.m., followed by a brief meeting and program. For more information, contact Diane Demeroutis at RotarySBAZ@gmail.com.