Rotary presents Judy Trujillo with Service Award- Tehachapi, California-USA

August 11, 2024

The Rotary Club of Tehachapi presented Judy Trujillo, Youth Service Chair, the Avenue of Service Award for her contributions to the community of Tehachapi through working with the local youth.

President Jennifer Palakiko presented the award to Trujillo in appreciation for her outstanding work in the area of Youth Service. A former educator, Trujillo’s love for working with high school students comes shining through, and she works tirelessly to support the Interact student clubs at both Valley Oaks Charter School and Tehachapi High School.

With her support, the Interact Club at Valley Oaks Charter School installed a Peace Pole, which was dedicated on May 19, 2023. The high school students at Valley Oaks raised the money for their Peace Pole through bake sales, Panda Express fundraisers and yearbook sales. Peace Poles were created in Japan in 1955, after the devastation of World War II.

Rotary Clubs and Interact Clubs install Peace Poles to demonstrate their commitment to take action to address the underlying causes of conflict, and inspire others to promote unity among people of different backgrounds, cultures and ethnicities. The Interact Club at Tehachapi High School is planning to install a Peace Pole in the near future.

Another passion of Trujillo’s is to work with advisers from the two high schools to take students to RYLA, a four-day retreat held in Ojai every year. The RYLA leadership retreat provides an effective training experience, supports student leadership, and encourages the participants to make a difference in their communities through volunteer work and social responsibility. A total of eight students, four from Tehachapi High and four from Valley Oaks, were able to go to RYLA last school year, fully sponsored by the local Rotary Club of Tehachapi. Trujillo not only works hard to recruit students to attend RYLA, but she goes along and participates with the students for the entire retreat.

Jennifer Palakiko shared some thoughts when she presented the award, stating: “Judy creates positive change in the lives of our youth through our Interact Clubs and the installation of the Peace Poles. She is significantly passionate about our youth and pours her entire heart into all the events. We have such deep appreciation for her outstanding efforts in the area of Youth Service!”

Susan Andreas-Bervel is secretary of the Rotary Club of Tehachapi.
By SUSAN ANDREAS-BERVEL Contributing writer