HIGHLANDS – The Rotary Club of Highlands held their annual Installation of new Officers and Board members last Friday night. The new president for 2024-25 is local realtor GayLynn Prescott Milliorn. Outgoing president Denise Smith thanked the club and her board chairs for a successful year.
Denise reviewed the highlights of her year in remarks to the club. She recounted community service projects that the club completed, such as support and involvement with the Senior Citizens program at the Community Center, Partners in Education at the Elementary School, donation of an Outdoor Classroom in honor of Rotarian Betty Brewer, Share Your Christmas, Haiti water project, Scholarships for 18 students in the amount of $37,000, two Interact club sponsorships at local high schools, Washer Tournament that raised $12,500 for Rotary International annual fund and $1200 for Polio Plus, 9 Paul Harris Fellows.
Denise noted that the club added 2 new members and completed 8 community service projects. The club was honored as the Chamber of Commerce Organization of the Year, and the runner up as Partner of the Year by PIE.
Dinner for the installation was provided by Executive Catering.
New officers for 2024-25 are President GayLynn Milliorn, Treasurer Sheila Parker, Secretary Diana Weaver, Sgt at Arms Martha Sutton, Foundation chair Tricia Scott, Membership chair Weston Cotten, Service Project chair Andy Scott, Partners In Education chair Robert Woodall, Veterans Committee chair Connie Russell, and Scholarship chair Dr. Larry White.
New president GayLynn Milliorn was sworn into office by her father, Wayne Prescott, who was previously a member of the Highlands Rotary.
GayLynn thanks the hosts of the evening, Robert and Ann Woodall, for inviting her to join Rotary in the past. She recounted her visits to the Chili Feast when her father was a Rotarian, and noted that she herself was the recipient of a Rotary Scholarship. She said she was “terrified and honored” to be the next president of such a prestigious club with a stellar reputation in the community and the city-wide Rotary District 5890.
GayLynn said she had three goals for her term:
One, to continue traditions of community service while having fun;
Two, grow the size and influence of the club and tell and inspire others;
Three, continue fundraising and service projects, such as the Chili Feast 50th Year Anniversary. She has applied for a District Grant to furnish “Buddy Benches” at the Elementary school, to be used for students who “need a buddy” when they are having a bad day and need a friend or a safe place.
GayLynn thanked her dad for teaching her to work hard, and face challenges head-on, and providing love and guidance.
