West Word for 4/28/2010
Steve Letro
NOAA Weather – Jacksonville
Steve Letro is the Meteorologist in Charge at the National Weather Service in Jacksonville, a position he has held since 1994. Steve was born in the Buffalo, New York area, but raised in south Florida. He received his degree in Meteorology from Florida State University and has held positions as Lead Forecaster, Satellite Meteorologist, Hydrologist and Meteorologist in Charge with the National Weather Service at several offices around the country.
Steve has received numerous awards in his career including the National Weather Service’s Modernization Award and the Department of Commerce’s Bronze Medal. Under his direction the Jacksonville National Weather Service office has received several national awards including the Department of Commerce’s Bronze and Gold medals, and the Tropical Meteorology Award from the Florida Governor’s Hurricane Conference. The Jacksonville NWS Office has weather forecast and severe storm warning responsibility for 29 counties in northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia.
A professional meteorologist for over 30 years, Steve has also served as a TV and radio meteorologist, private consulting meteorologist, and as meteorologist for the South Florida Water Management District. Specializing in tropical meteorology and hurricanes, Steve is a long time member of the National Hurricane Center’s Hurricane Liaison Team and is a Vice President of the Florida Governor’s Hurricane Conference. He also teaches tropical meteorology at State and national hurricane conferences, has authored numerous newspaper and magazine articles, and has appeared as a subject matter expert on hurricane related documentaries for the History Channel.
Clay Shoot Recap
Thanks to everyone who sponsored, volunteered, shot or organized the annual Clay Shoot. We will have a complete recap of the fundraiser in a future West Word.
Youth Awards Recap
Randy Thornton announced that 7 Westside High School students are being recognized for their academic achievements. Each school will have one student receive a $500 scholarship, and one additional $500 scholarship to one outstanding student. Randy thanked many of the folks who made the event possible:
- Thank you to the Holiday Inn for hosting this event
- Thank you to Rotarians.
- Thank you to the guidance counselors and teachers.
Randy introduced Ed Pratt-Dannals. Ed is a Rotary member, raised through the ranks of Duval County Public Schools. He holds a BA from Georgia State University, a MA from UNF, and is working on his PHD at UF. Ed is the current Duval County School Board Superintendent.
Ed recognized the parents and guardians for their investment in the lives of the students being recognized. Ed discussed leadership and pointed out that the world is crying out for strong leaders.
Leaders:
- Have a strong set of core beliefs.
- Are often unappreciated.
- Need a foundation to move forward.
- Have a passion for what they are doing.
- Need to have compassion to understand the thoughts and feelings of others.
- Need to be able to build a strong team.
- Are persistent.
- Difficult times will happen
- Find a direction and go for it
- Find mentors
- Ask what is it going to take to get to the next level
Ed explained the Rotary Four Way test will help if you follow the prinicples:
- Is it the truth,
- Is is fair to all concerned,
- Will it build good will and better friendships,
- Will it be beneficial to all concerned.
The award winners:
- Baldwin High School:
- Science award: Emily Bunker
- Arts & languages award: Chelsy Newman
- Math award: Cecelia Donaly (Scholarship winner)
- Robert E. Lee High School:
- Science award: Tremel Williams
- Arts & language award: Sabina Philszame
- Math award: Brandon Scintino (Scholarship winner)
- Forrest High School
- Math award: Jeremy Bohack (Scholarship winner)
- Arts & language award: Samantha Herst
- Science award: Claudia Borges
- Paxon School for Advanced Studies
- Math award: Tyler Morris (Scholarship winner)
- Science award: Jessica Overmiller
- Arts & language: Robby McKay (Scholarship winner)
- Bishop John Snyder
- Science award: Daniele Schuff
- Arts & language: Alana Elisa Morales (Scholarship winner)
- Math award: Chelsy Corrigan
- Ed White High School
- Arts & language award: Cody Dickertorino (Scholarship winner)
- Science award: Michael Kingsley
- Math award: Song Win
- Frank H. Peterson Academy
- Arts & language award: Amelia Harris
- Science award: James Arnold
- Math award: Nicoli Seminalf (Scholarship winner)
Birthdays
Jerry Mackoul — May 26
Next Meeting - May 5, 2010
Speaker: Stacy Ridenour, Executive Director, Jacksonville Symphony
Greeters: Scott Houser and Drew Story
Invocation: Mark Hulsey
Pledge: Ed Varnes
Four-Way Test: TBD
Quick Links:
You can now report make-ups online. FIXED!
Submit “Family of Rotary” information online.
