PLAYA VENICE SUNRISE 2025 - 26 Newsletter Vol 48 (May 25, 2026)

Scholarship Gala Celebrates
Outstanding Students

For the third consecutive year, Playa
Venice Sunrise Rotary proudly celebrated
exceptional students from our community
at the annual Scholarship Gala. This year’s
program recognized 26 deserving students
with $1,200 scholarships, selected from
140 applications representing 21 local
high schools.

One outstanding recipient
was also awarded the inaugural $5,000
Kathrine Russell Superstar Scholarship.

These remarkable students are headed to
20 outstanding institutions including USC,
UCLA, MIT, Mount St. Mary’s University,
and many other distinguished colleges.

Guest speaker and former PVSR scholarship
winner and Adopt-A-Family recipient, Lorena
Alvarado, shared words of encouragement
with the students and reflected on her own
educational journey— her preparation to
apply to law school as she continues
pursuing her goals.

Our sincere appreciation goes to the LAWA
Police Department Cadets for their professional presentation of the colors at this year’s
Scholarship Gala.

A special thank you goes to Gail Goldstein,
whose vision, dedication, and leadership have
made the Scholarship Gala one of PVSR’s
signature events, creating life-changing
opportunities for countless students.

The success of the evening was made possible
by many helping hands. Thanks to Lisa for
coordinating dinner; Iris for decorating; Jan
for the swag bags; Linda for balloon décor;
Rob, Charles, Dani, and Stephanie for sound,
photography, and the step-and-repeat display;
Vickie and Dawn for guest registration; and
Gwen for her meticulous coordination of
countless event details. We also appreciate
all who assisted throughout the evening
and those who served as hosts for our
scholarship recipients - John, Racquel, Dave,
Jim and Gwen, Lisa, Susan and Dean,
Ramona, Dawn, Stephanie, Janet, Lucy,
Rich, Debbie, Ray, Charles, Martha,
and Matthew.

We are proud to share that Playa Venice
Sunrise Rotary awarded a total of $37,800
in scholarships this year! This remarkable
achievement would not have been possible
without the generosity of our individual
donors, the support of our community,
and the unwavering commitment and
involvement of PVSR members.

Together, we are helping create life-changing educational opportunities and investing
in the future of our students.

_________________________________

EPIC Day of Service at
Westside Food Bank

A crew of 44 volunteers came together for the
EPIC Day of Service at the Westside Food Bank,
including members of Playa Venice Sunrise
Rotary, Santa Monica Rotary, El Segundo
Rotary, the Westchester Senior Center,
along with friends and family.

Westchester Senior Center & Santa Monica Rotary Club

Shaun Dyer—Community Engagement Manager
for Westside Food Bank— supported the team as
we packed six pallets of individual food boxes to
help provide nutritious meals for children and
families throughout the community.

We were honored to have District Governor-Elect
Brady Connell join us for the EPIC Day of Service
and support this impactful project. In addition, we
were thrilled to have had Zoebelen Navia-Zepeda - scholarship winner and special honoree receiving
the first Kathrine Russell Superstar Scholarship -
join our event.

This day of service was organized and led by PVSR
member Debbie Bennett, whose enthusiasm and
outreach brought together the participating Rotary
clubs and community volunteers. Thanks to her
efforts, John (along with his parents who
represented the Fremont Rotary Club in Fremont,
Michigan), Ramona, Marsha, Charles, Janet, Dave,
Jan, Susan and Dean, Lucy, Martha, and Debbie
joined the other volunteers in demonstrating
community service in action.

Following the productive afternoon of
service, members of Playa Venice Sunrise
Rotary and El Segundo Rotary, along with
family members, enjoyed fellowship and
camaraderie at Teddy’s Restaurant.