Our featured speaker at the April 8th meeting was Jason Eck, who was named head coach of the University of New Mexico football program in December 2024, bringing 26 years of collegiate coaching experience. His first season with the Lobos was historic: he led the team to a 9-4 record, an undefeated 6-0 home season, and an appearance in the Rate Bowl. Under his leadership, UNM secured a milestone 35-10 victory over UCLA at the Rose Bowl, set a program-record 3.36 team GPA, and achieved massive social media growth. Eck earned Mountain West Coach of the Year honors, sharing the spotlight with his son, Jaxton, who was named MW Co-Defensive Player of the Year.
The Club hosted the winners of the 4-Way-Test essay winners, along with their parents and teacher. Victoria Reichow, our 1st place winner, also placed second in the district. Victoria read her winning essay much to the delight of the members.
In addition to their cash prizes, the young ladies were presented with gift certificates by Brandon Ortega and Erica Vigil from the Albuquerque Isotopes.
Upcoming speakers
May 13th - Our Annual Picnic at Rotary Park 7725 Quintana Dr, NE
May 27th - Miles Gloetzner, Inhora
Satellite Doings
Monica Padilla, Contributing
April was a productive and engaging month for our Satellite group, filled with meaningful conversations, impactful service, and strong member participation.
At our April 1 meeting, we combined our Satellite and Community Service efforts for a collaborative session focused on upcoming projects and recent successes. We discussed several key initiatives, including the Clothing Drive—see the impact in action here:
https://youtube.com/shorts/VH98Tg87z_M?si=wBu332cEcoGYYcp1—along with Run for the Zoo and the New Mexico Law Enforcement Memorial Ride. These projects continue to reflect our club’s commitment to “Service Above Self” both locally and beyond.
We also took time to celebrate the incredible impact of our recent service work. A special thank you was shared by both Saranam and the Clothing Drive organizers, recognizing the dedication and hard work of our Rotarians. Because of your efforts, these projects were a tremendous success and made a meaningful difference in our community.
Our April 15 meeting shifted focus to member engagement and club development. This session provided an open forum for members to discuss important topics, share ideas, and help shape the direction of future programming. Members offered valuable input on potential guest speakers and meeting content, reinforcing our goal of creating meetings that are both engaging and meaningful.
Thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, and contributed throughout the month. Your involvement continues to strengthen our club and expand our impact.
Around the Club
Will it be Beneficial to All
Hands on - the Stuff of Rotary
Del Norte is participating in a region-wide program, the New Mexico Ramp Project, to build accessibility ramps for veterans and disadvantaged persons. Anyone who would like more information or to participate should contact Terry Boulanger at 505-263-9505, or taboulanger@gmail.com
Small package, big impact -
Click us to be part of the Year of Cheer!
💜 Full of Spirit
Children in the hospital continue to show joy, gratitude, and courage. Your support helps their spirit shine even brighter.
2025-26 Year of Cheer
Marilyn Strube, Contributng
As the 2025-26 Rotary year winds down, it is a good time to take a close look at Year of Cheer and the impact that the partnership between the Rotary Club of Albuquerque Del Norte with the University of New Mexico Children's Hospital has had not only on the patients of the hospital but on the members and community of Del Norte Rotary.
From January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025, UNM Children’s Hospital served 64,209 individual patients through a total of 231,317 pediatric visits. It is hard to imagine the number of children that are needing the medical services offered at UNM Children’s Hospital and the trauma that they face while receiving care at the hospital. The hospital can meet the medical needs of these children, but it needs help meeting the physiological needs of its patients; that’s where Del Norte has stepped in (as its members always do) this year and helped put a smile on children’s faces by providing plush toys, games, crafts, diapers, clothing, etc. It is amazing how a small gesture made by a Rotarian can generate such a big smile on a patient’s face!
Thank each and every one of you for realizing the importance of Year of Cheer and making a difference. Please keep up the great work!
It Takes a Team
Photography - The redoubtable Ruth Ronan
Reporters - Monica Padilla
Marilyn Strube
Technology - Donette Wagner
Editor - Harris McClain
The President's Corner
Dear Beautiful People of the Rotary Club of Albuquerque Del Norte,
April has been a truly fun and fulfilling month for our club.
We kicked things off with a wonderful act of service, as our Community Service Committee and Satellite Club came together to pack and deliver Easter baskets to Saranam. It was a meaningful way to give back and make a difference in the lives of families in our community.
We then enjoyed our first lunch meeting of the month featuring Coach Jason Eck, who, as always, delivered an engaging and insightful talk. It’s always a pleasure to hear from him.
The month concluded on a high note with our Four-Way Test Essay winners—always one of the most inspiring events we host. Seeing young people embrace Rotary’s core values is both uplifting and reassuring. These impressive young ladies joined us at our lunch meeting and truly embodied thoughtfulness, intelligence, and integrity.
We were also joined by Brandon Ortega and Erica Vigil from the Albuquerque Isotopes, who helped make the meeting even more dynamic and enjoyable.
I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to Principal Sr. Anne Louise Abascal and 8th Grade Teacher Mrs. JoAnne Rickard, as well as the outstanding students from St. Thomas Aquinas School:
Victoria Reichow – First Place Club Winner and Second Place District 5520 Winner
Ilona Mascarenas – Second Place Club Winner
Phoebe Lorenzen – Third Place Club Winner
Their performances in the Four-Way Test Essay Contest were exceptional, and we are proud to celebrate their achievements.
As we look ahead, I encourage everyone to join us for one of our favorite traditions—our annual picnic at Rotary Park on May 13. It’s a great opportunity to relax, enjoy fellowship, and spend time together outside of our regular meetings. I hope to see all of you there.
It has been a fantastic month, and I am excited for what lies ahead as we continue serving, growing, and enjoying fellowship together.
Manzano Mesa Elementary School
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2024, bringing 26 years of collegiate coaching experience. His first season with the Lobos was historic: he led the team to a 9-4 record, an undefeated 6-0 home season, and an appearance in the Rate Bowl. Under his leadership, UNM secured a milestone 35-10 victory over UCLA at the Rose Bowl, set a program-record 3.36 team GPA, and achieved massive social media growth. Eck earned Mountain West Coach of the Year honors, sharing the spotlight with his son, Jaxton, who was named MW Co-Defensive Player of the Year.
Reichow, our 1st place winner, also placed second in the district. Victoria read her winning essay much to the delight of the members.
erque Del Norte with the University of New Mexico Children's Hospital has had not only on the patients of the hospital but on the members and community of Del Norte Rotary. 
