HIGHLANDS – The Rotary Club of Highlands, known throughout the city as “The Biggest Little Club in District 5890,” got new leadership at an installation ceremony held last Thursday evening at the Baytown Boat Club in Highlands.
Rotarian Andy Scott was sworn in for his second round as president of the club. Presiding over the installation was District 5890 Assistant District Governor Bryan Clements.
The event was attended by about three dozen Rotarians, families, and guests. A special guest at the dinner was Connie Russell, owner of the Channelview bar of the same name. Connie has been very active in raising money for scholarships and supporting the Highlands Rotary.
Other officers that were sworn in at the dinner were President Elect Denise Smith; Treasurer Sheila McDonald; Secretary Diana Weaver; Club Foundation Chair Tricia Scott; Public Image Chair Gaylynn Milliorn; Service Projects Chair Weston Cotten; Sergeant at Arms Johnny Gaeke; and the whole club was designated as the Membership chair.
One of the very special projects that the Highlands Club has undertaken is the hosting of foreign exchange students for a year’s stay. The club covers the costs of housing, food, and incidentals as well as enrolling them in high school and providing transportation. It was announced at the installation dinner that another student has been selected. It will be Edourd vanHove, a student from Belgium that will arrive in August. The club was thrilled to continue this tradition. Initially vanHove will live with the Cotten family in Highlands.
The dinner featured shrimp and fish, cooked by the award-winning Henderson cooking team. Music for the evening was provided by Snuffy.
The outgoing president, Jerry Fallin, made a few remarks about his time in office, citing the continued high level of scholarships that the club provide to area students, and the funding of a van for the local Stratford library to use in their outreach program. Other projects that club supports include COVID relief, holiday meals at Thanksgiving and Christmas, Schools In Education, with special emphasis on B.P. Hopper Pre-K and Highlands Elementary, and other District projects such as clean water and a health clinic in Mexico.
Andy Scott, in his remarks as newly installed president, pledged to continue the work of the club as outlined above. To work on increasing membership, and doing “whatever it takes” to have a successful new year for the club and the community.
There were a number of awards presented during the evening. Perfect attendance pins went to Weston Cotten (36 years), Patricia Scott (22 years), and Andy Scott (5 years). Larry White received a Special Recognition Award for 40 years in the club. Andy Scott was voted by the club as Rotarian of the Year, for his representing the club at District events, and the accomplishment of a new van for the local library, a project he chaired in his first term as president.
The Assistant District Governor, Bryan Clements, spoke about the club being his favorite after his own, which is the Galena Park/Jacinto City club. He praised the work of the club, and said he was amazed at how much the club accomplishes considering its size.
The evening ended with table decorations being raffled off, and Snuffy playing his brand of country music as the event came to a close.