SanTan Sun News Staff
The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes is again supporting the Tco2 Dragster STEM High School at Perry High School.
Sponsored by the Society of Automotive Engineers, the program aims to help develop students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and math.
Student teams used computer-assisted design and manufacturing to make dragsters that competed Feb. 18 under the Rotary Club’s sponsorship.
The competition required each team to present readable renderings and drawings containing views and dimensions of the dragster. Each team was interviewed by a panel of experts and provided an overview of their dragster’s design, operations, construction, speeds, build experiences, research, simulations and finishing techniques.
The teams were required to follow specific technical regulations in body construction and wheel definition.
Anna Logan, a longtime supporter of the event, said trophies were awarded for fastest car, best in show, and in other categories.
Sun Lakes Dragster Competition Committee member Don Robins was among the group of engineering experts who judged the contestants. The panel also included other club members, retired engineers and Chandler Unified representatives.
“The RCSL would like to acknowledge Clint Beauer, Perry High School assistant principal, for his support in arranging the competition,“ said club spokeswoman Dr. Honora Norton.
Meanwhile, Sun Lakes Rotary Club named Sun Lakes resident Ann Diamond its February 2023 Rotarian of the Month.
“Right from the start of joining RCSL, Ann has become an active new Rotarian by volunteering at the electronic recycling Project, making Amanda Hope blankets for kiddos with cancer, and supporting the club’s upcoming golf tournament,” Norton said.
Diamond also joined the club meeting’s “setup/takedown” team and participated in the club’s visioning project.
The club also congratulated Victoria Flatley, a Sun Lakes resident and club president-elect, for earning her certificate of completion of the Rotary Leadership Institute Graduate Course.
The basic program helps leadership development and the six-course graduate program helps participants explore current challenges Rotary clubs are facing.
“Each graduate course had a different list of topics and a unique curriculum that meets the needs of the Rotarians attending the course,” Norton said, adding that topics include public speaking and presentation skills, design and use of PowerPoint, ethics and using the Rotary 4-Way Test, team building, conflict resolution and mediation, visions and strategic planning, event planning, and motivation and leadership.
Rotary Club of Sun Lakes Club President Stephen Phair also recently announced that House Bill 2062 recently passed through the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for a vote to get Rotary license plates.
Up to now, Rotarians in Arizona have had to choose other charities to support because there is no license plate for them to show their pride.
“Rotarians are working with Arizona state legislators to create a Rotarian license plate,” Norton said.
Rotary International District 5495 Governor Larry Horton and Phair met with Rep. Jennifer Pawlik, D-Chandler, and toured the Capital with RI Past District Gov. Chuck Fitzgerald.
The initial cost for the program is $32,000 to cover the administration, design, and hours needed to the plate.
The additional cost of $25 per registration will be paid for the specialty plate with $17 going back to the Rotary Clubs of Arizona.
“If we work that backwards, our breakeven is only 1,883 license plates,” Norton said, asking people to support the plate by writing to legislators.
For information about the club and how to join: sunlakesrotary.com.
