COMMUNITY NEWS
June 2024
Garberville Rotary Club Awards South Fork High Students Scholarships Totaling $9,000
On Tuesday, May 21st, an award ceremony was held at the South Fork High School gymnasium, where Rotarians, South Fork staff, students, and their families gathered to celebrate the achievements of these outstanding young individuals. The event showcased the dedication and hard work of the students and the unwavering support from the community.
The Garberville Rotary Club extends its deepest gratitude to the trusts that made these scholarships possible, recognizing their commitment to empowering future leaders and enhancing our community. Since its founding in 1938, the Garberville Rotary Club has proudly supported local youth and education. The scholarships awarded each year are funded by the generous contributions of former Rotary members and community supporters, who have established multiple endowments managed by the Humboldt Area Foundation. These scholarships are sustained by the interest and earnings from these endowments, ensuring the continuation of this vital tradition.
This year funds were distributed from the Monroe Tobin Family Trust, Harold E. Murrish Trust, Roxanne Futrell Trust, Todd Sveiven Trust, Margaret Scown Trust, Ray Hartig Trust.
The scholarships were presented to Cadence Young, Colton Hoisington, Emily Vionnet, Jace Sotelo, Kishan Patel, Lucas Genolio, Makani Buck Zulim, Rylee Bremer and Skylar Gaytan.
“I am so happy that we can continue supporting local youth and their educational goals," says Garth Epling-Card, Garberville Rotary President "Reviewing scholarship applications this year, I was deeply impressed by the resilience and dedication of these students. They have worked tirelessly to maintain their grades, recover from the disruptions of remote learning due to COVID, and overcome many life challenges. Their perseverance is truly inspiring. … Despite these hurdles, they have demonstrated exceptional determination and focus on their future aspirations. It is an honor to support such hardworking and motivated individuals.”
Jennifer Mayhew, High School Principal, adds, “South Fork High School is grateful to Rotary for their continued support of our students."
The Garberville Rotary Club is dedicated to community service, emphasizing youth development, education, and engagement. Through scholarships and various projects, the club consistently upholds its motto, “Service Above Self.”
Garberville Rotary meets the first four Tuesdays of the month at SoHum Health 286 Sprowel Creek Road, Garberville. For more information or to connect with Garberville Rotary, visit their website at garbervillerotary.com.
New Dairy Princess Crowned
Grace Scilacci of Fortuna Selected as District 1 Ambassador
Grace Scilacci of Fortuna was selected as the 2024 Dairy Princess, with Talyn Hodson of Crescent City, and Mariah Bravo of Fortuna selected as 1st and 2nd alternate respectively. The contest was held on Friday, May 10, 2024, in Fortuna.
Grace will represent District 1, which includes Humboldt and Del Norte counties. As Dairy Princess, she will play a key role on the CMAB’s Communication Services team in meeting community relations objectives.
Grace is the daughter of Bryan and Jennifer Scilacci. She is a senior at Fortuna Union High School and plans to attend College of the Redwoods to become a Dental Hygienist.
Crowned 1st Alternate Dairy Princess, Talyn Hodson, daughter of Michelle and Richard Wetherell, is a senior at Del Norte High School and plans to attend College of the Redwoods to study Forensics.
Mariah Bravo, daughter of Lance and Laurie Bravo, was crowned 2nd Alternate Dairy Princess. She is a Junior at Fortuna Union High School. Her grandparents on both sides had dairies, and she now raises and shows dairy heifers at the Humboldt County Fair as a member of the Fortuna High Future Farmers of America Chapter. Mariah is on her school’s Varsity Softball team and Varsity Soccer Team. She is passionate about her community service efforts and volunteers at the Cuddeback School Halloween Carnival, Fortuna High School Youth Softball Camp, and Fortuna High School 3rd Grade Agriculture Day.
As Dairy Princess and Alternates, Grace, Talyn, and Mariah will attend a professional development training focused on presentation skills, advocating for the California dairy industry, leadership, and business etiquette.
For more information about the District 1 Dairy Princess contest and events, please contact Mary Ann Renner at (707) 496-1501 or dmarenner@frontiernet.net.
Kaden Mangrum, a 14 year old Fortuna cowboy, is going to National Junior Finals Rodeo in Des Moines, Iowa. Placing third in the entire state in both Junior Bull Riding and Bareback Steer Riding, Kaden will be representing Team California. He competes on the District 2 Team for the California High School Rodeo Association, Junior High Division, which represents Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Lake, Sonoma, Marin, and Napa Counties.
The CHRSA regular season is October-April, with State Finals being held in May. Throughout the season, Kaden competes in Chute Dogging, Bareback Steer Riding, Junior Bull Riding, Goat Tying, and Ribbon Roping. Rodeo requires a huge commitment of practice time, and long travel times to every rodeo throughout the season. After the amount of time, resources and energy spent dedicated to the sport, when working together with an animal (especially a 1,000 lb bull), there are a lot of factors that don’t often go your way, requiring a lot of humility.
This is a very exciting time for Kaden, as he will be graduating from 8th Grade just one week prior to National Junior Finals Rodeo.
Locally, Kaden competes in the Fortuna Junior Rodeo, and was the Steer Riding Champion in 2022. He also rides in the Steer Riding event at Fortuna Rodeo’s event, “Bulls, Broncs, Bands & Brews,” and holds the Champion title for 2021 and 2023. This year will be his final ride to secure the Champion belt buckle. Come see him ride on Saturday July 20 at the Fortuna Rodeo Grounds.
Kaden also plays football and regular season basketball as well as AAU basketball. He was the starting half back and line backer for the AAA ERV Huskies for the 2023 season, and starting point guard as well as Team Captain for the ’23-24’ FMS 8th Grade Boys Basketball. All the while, he has maintained the B-Honor Roll at Fortuna Middle School, perfect attendance, and received the Citizen of the Month award in April.
The National Junior Finals Rodeo are being held on June 23-29, and Kaden is seeking support to help cover travel and lodging costs for both him and his family. Any excess amount will be placed in a college savings account for Kaden. The link to donate is https://fnd.us/82Ory4?ref=sh_cDSVZ8
Left to right: Mariah Bravo, Grace Scilacci and Talyn Hodson. Submitted
Fortuna Student Headed to Rodeo Nationals
Kaden Mangrum. Submitted
Fred Robinson Receives Certified Exit Planning Advisor® Designation
Financial Advisor Fred Robinson of the financial services firm Edward Jones in Fortuna has received the Certified Exit Planning Advisor®, or CEPA®, designation through the Exit Planning Institute(TM).
This designation provides specific education on how to help business owners have a successful exit by discussing business readiness, strengthening personal financial strategies and aligning them to personal goals. The course of CEPA® study expands a financial advisor's knowledge base in the following business-focused areas:
Exit planning considerations for business owners
The importance of business valuation
Personal financial management
Estate and charitable intent strategies
Robinson's office is located at Strongs Creek Plaza, Fortuna.
Robinson and branch office administrator Michelle can be reached at (707) 725-7943. You may also visit Robinson's website at https://www.edwardjones.com/us-en/financial-advisor/fred-robinson.
Rio Dell Appoints Interim Chief of Police
On Tuesday, May 21, 2024, the Rio Dell City Council confirmed the appointment of Jeff Conner as the Interim Chief of Police. Former Chief of Police Greg Allen has taken the position of Associate Vice President for Safety & Community Wellbeing (Chief of Police) for the Cal Poly Humboldt Police Department. The city wishes him well in his new role.
Conner has a long association with the Rio Dell Police Department going back many years, including serving as Chief of Police from December 2017 to July of 2022. During that time Conner implemented several reforms and improvements to modernize the department. Since his tenure as Chief he has remained part-time with the department as a Sergeant, mostly handling investigations. Conner will step down from the Interim role before the close of August this year and anticipates retiring from law enforcement altogether by the end of 2024.
The City of Rio Dell is currently recruiting for a new Chief of Police. Applications are currently open.
2022. Jeff Conner (left) receives a special proclamation alongside Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer (right) from Mayor Debra Garnes (center) for their work resolving the homicide case of Johnny Renfro. Submitted