Bill and Kathy Smyth are graciously hosting a Cameron Park- El Dorado Hills Rotary potluck social at their lovely home from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 3850 Calais Way in El Dorado Hills. Please sign up in advance with what appetizer you plan to share. Pickleball lessons and adult beverages will be provided. We hope to see you there, and thank you Bill and Kelly! Their number is (510) 677-7209.
Carey Buchanan, Director of Alternative Programs for the El Dorado County Office of Education (EDCOE), delivered an informative and thought-provoking presentation on threat assessment practices and school safety programs. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in alternative education, Carey oversees a wide range of programs, including those serving youth and adults in correctional settings, as well as the medical assistant program at Marshall Medical Center in Cameron Park. She expressed her appreciation to the Rotary Club for supporting scholarships that help students complete the program who might not otherwise have the opportunity.
Carey explained that threat assessment, as defined by the Safe School Initiative, is designed to prevent targeted violence by focusing on behaviors and evidence—not assumptions. It is not a criminal investigation, disciplinary action, or security measure, though it may lead to those outcomes when necessary. Instead, the process emphasizes careful evaluation of facts to determine the level of concern and appropriate response.
She shared several key insights from national research on school violence: incidents are typically planned in advance rather than impulsive; warning signs and behaviors are often observable; and in many cases, individuals have a grievance and disclose their intentions ahead of time—through conversations, schoolwork, or social media. While school shootings receive significant attention, Carey noted that schools remain among the safest places for youth, with far fewer incidents compared to other settings such as homes or public areas.
At the local level, El Dorado County has implemented a structured, two-tiered threat assessment system. Every school site has a Level 1 team, in place for the past three years, composed of administrators, mental health professionals, school resource officers, and staff familiar with the student. Using a set of evidence-based questions, the team gathers information to assess potential risk and determine next steps.
If concerns escalate, a Level 2 protocol is followed when there is a perceived high risk. This involves a collaborative, multidisciplinary effort with representatives from schools, public mental health, law enforcement, juvenile justice, child welfare, and other community-based services, allowing for a coordinated and timely response.
Pictured left to right: Emmett Clark, Grace Xu, Kyle Reagan, Lily Hinkle, and Zachary Pfeifer. (Not pictured: Gabriella Leal.)
On April 23, six outstanding students from Ponderosa High School were awarded academic scholarships in recognition of their achievements. Selection was based on academic performance, school and community involvement, service, and financial need. Each scholarship totals $2,000, paid in two annual installments beginning this fall and renewable next year.
The recipients are:
Emmett Clark (GPA 4.30) plans to attend UC Berkeley or Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to study electrical engineering. He played soccer at Ponderosa, was a member of Rotary-sponsored Interact Club and the California Scholarship Federation (CSF), and logged more than 20 hours of community service annually.
Grace Xu (GPA 4.31) will attend UC Davis or Case Western Reserve University as a pre-med student, with the goal of becoming an anesthesiologist. She served twice as a Key Club officer, was active in CSF, and volunteered extensively at Mercy Hospital in Folsom.
Kyle Reagan (GPA 4.29) plans to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design to study visual effects and filmmaking. He brings strong technical skills, is an accomplished piano soloist, played four years of tennis, and founded the local “Bruincast” podcast.
Lily Henkle (GPA 4.20) will attend New York University to study history. She participated in Associated Student Body leadership for four years, managed the student store for two years, and is an accomplished piano soloist. She also volunteered through the Hands4Hope club.
Zachary Pfeifer (GPA 3.80) will attend Oregon State University to study environmental science. He serves as president of the Interact Club and has contributed many volunteer hours through Interact and CSF. A self-taught guitarist, he now performs with his own band.
Gabriella Leal (GPA 4.10), who was unable to attend due to a cheerleading competition, plans to attend Vanguard University of Southern California to pursue a degree in nursing, with the goal of becoming a registered nurse. She was active in Future Farmers of America (FFA) and cheerleading for four years, and served on Link Crew, helping welcome and mentor incoming freshmen.
Congratulations to all of these deserving students. Special thanks to Scholarship Committee- Gary Clarke, Anne Eckert, Tom Elken, Dave Sargent, and Kathy Thompson for their hard work in selecting this year’s recipients.
Gina Sapyta, EDCOE, speaker's program assistant, guest of club.
Jim Marshall, brother of Dick and uncle to Adam, guest of Dick Marshall.
Words of Wisdom:
Adam Marshall - with recommendation from ChatGpt:
1. "Don't confuse movement with progress."
Dave Sargent-
1. "You cannot change what you don't confront."
2. "Trying to be someone else is a waste of the person you are."
3. "The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom."
4. "Are you looking for a pathway or an excuse for your day."
Featured Rotarian:
None this week.
Announcements:
Adam Marshall:
1) CASA Box Lunch Day- is today!
2)The 2026 Rotary Multi-District Conference (Far West Fest) will take place May 1-3 in Reno, Nevada, at the Grand Sierra Resort.
3) Bingo- is coming back to Cameron Park CSD on May 28 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., and our own JoEllen Brooks is heading it up for the club. We hope it grows into a quarterly even Volunteers are requested.
4) 2026-2027 Planning Session for PE Dan Gott's term- on May 23 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the CSD Community Center for current/future board members and future committee chairs. Lunch is provided.
5) 5th Thursday Social with EDH Rotary at the Smyth's Home- will be DARK for lunch next week and we will be having a social at the Smyth's lovely home in El Dorado Hills, starting at 5:30 p.m. Refer to newsletter for address and additional details.
Laurie Edwards:20 Year Observatory Anniversary Partyon June 4- we will be DARK at lunch on June 4 to celebrate the Observatory's 20th Anniversary in the evening. Please save the date.
Gary Clarke/Joe Ryan: Bicycle Service Project Update - Teamsters picked up 28 bicycles from the Cameron Park cleanup day last Saturday, and Gary retrieved another 26 from a Stockton shopping center- making 26 trips up and down 25 steps to bring them up from the basement storage. Joe added that 60-70 refurbished bikes will be picked up from the prison on May 30, and delivered to Afghan and Ukrainian refugees, along with a new partner, the Urban League.
Happy (or Not) Bucks
Bill Ettlich: $50 Happy celebrating his grandchildren's academic achievements. He will be attending his third grandchild's graduation (her area of focus was forensic science) next weekend at the University of Nebraska. Another grandchild earned a full-ride scholarship to Vanderbilt University through the University and ROTC. Although also accepted to the United States Naval Academy, he has chosen to attend Vanderbilt in Tennessee.
Adam Marshall: $10 Happy for his uncle's visit and putting up with his jokes.
Dick Marshall: $20 Happy for his brother Jim's visit.
Birthdays in April
Shiva Frentzen
Dan Gott
Sara Matley
Renee Villanueva
Terry Wilson
-----Spouse/Partners----
Jeff Frentzen
Carol Sargent
Anniversaries in April
Tom and Sandy Elken
Rotary Join Date in April
Rich Grieco: 11 years
Hal Young: 8 years
Upcoming Sergeant at Arms Assignments
Please arrive early, serve as greeter, take attendance via the sign-in roster at the front desk, lead the pledge, introduce guests, provide words of wisdom, and other duties as requested. If you are unable to serve, it is your responsibility to find a replacement and notify President Adam.
Apr 30 DARK at noon - 5th Thursday Social in Evening
May 07 Gina Posey
May 14 Liam Roddy
May 21 Joe Ryan
May 28 Dave Sargent
June 04 DARK at noon - Observatory's 20th Anniversary Party in Evening
