The Rotary Club of Kirkland held a meeting on November 8, 2021 at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel.
President Dave DeBois rang the bell at 6:30 p.m., calling the club meeting to order. This is the Club’s second in-person meeting at the Marriott Courtyard hotel! It is the first in-person meeting for new member Christine Bell.
Shellie Gehring led the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Attending were Dave DeBois, Dave Aubry, Shellie Gehring, Brandon Honcoop, Kristin Olson, Rick Ostrander, Rick Walter, Mike Hunter, Steve Shinstrom, Joanne Primavera, Don Dicks, Matt Colpitts, Al Hoviland, Alice Volpe, Pete Anderson, Brian Tucker, Christine Bell, George Anderson, Monica Fratita.
Guests:
John Storbeck was back again checking out our Club, and told us a bit about himself. He is a Vietnam vet and marathoner. Katrina Loos, mother of Monique Loos, our Student of the Month (SOM) was introduced.
Greeter:
Our greeter this evening was Rick Ostrander.
Announcements & Club Business:
Monica reminded us of the combined Holiday Party and holiday gift wrapping party at 5 p.m. on December 20 at the Kirkland Women’s Club. Food and drink will be provided. Cost is $50 per person, and members should sign up on the Club’s website. For the holiday gift shopping, people will be assigned 1-2 families to shop for – gift lists will be provided. Also, we could use more money, so make a donation and designate it for “Holiday Gift”.
The next board of directors meeting will be December 2, so as not to interfere with Thanksgiving and so our esteemed president can go play golf in the sun somewhere. We will continue our in-person Club meetings at the Marriott.
Happy Bucks:
There were no Happy Bucks this evening.
Student of the Month:
SOM Monique Loos spoke to us about her college plans and future plans. She is currently a senior at Juanita High School where she is in Running Start working toward a business degree at Lake Washington Institute of Technology. She plans to earn her AA in business by next Fall. She is looking at a number of colleges and universities, including U of Colorado in Boulder and Gonzaga. She has been involved in a total house remodel and wants to get a job in real estate. She was involved in Girl Scouts for almost ten years and wants to continue to give back to the community. She has also been involved in Harvest Against Hunger-type activities.
Program:
President Dave DeBois introduced our speaker, Jennifer Tucker, the new managing director of Studio East in Kirkland. Studio East is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides training in the performing arts for people between 4 and 19 years of age. This training includes putting on performances around the area. During COVID-19, they have had to go to virtual performances and have had to downsize. They are now back to live performances with a virtual component and are starting to look for a larger home and to expand at least back to where they were pre-pandemic.
Studio East was started 29 years ago by Lani Brockman, who is still part of the organization. They serve a wide spectrum of students, not all of whom will go on to careers in the performing arts. However, they will learn skills that will serve them well in many aspects of life.
Other Studio East projects in include a local, adult, touring performing company and a summer camp for 800 students. Activities are divided by age and by theme. Classes are on various themes – comedy, radio, etc. Many of the instructors are professionals in the entertainment field. They have some outreach programs where they partner with local PTSAs to actually produce a play. They will do Shakespeare in the Park next summer. They also do public performances – 6 ‘main-stage’ productions per year.
Their annual auction is coming at the end of the week – it is their largest fund-raiser. It is being streamed, so anyone can participate. Check their website for details.
In 1998, Storybook Theater began, which consists of adults performing for 3-10-year-olds and their families. This activity is marketed to first-time students. They have put an additional focus on underserved communities.
Studio East has at least two alumni currently in Broadway shows. They do have scholarships for students.
There were several questions from Rotarians, especially on where they get new students. They do outreach in schools and there is word-of-mouth amongst current students and people who have seen their productions.
New Rotarian Matt Colpitts is on the board and is very involved at Studio East.
Joker Pool:
There was not a Joker Pool this evening.
Adjournment:
President Dave rang the bell at 7:30 p.m. to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully Submitted
Dave Aubry – Acting Scribe