We had an amazing meeting on the evening of September 10th with 30 attendees! It was impressive to see such a turnout. At one point, even the restaurant owner expressed interest in learning more about Rotary. Many potential new members showed enthusiasm for service opportunities and were also interested in the friendship exchange. What a fantastic group!
Thank you to all our club members who attended, as well as those from Sunset and our guests! One of the main focuses of Rotary International and District 5330 is to grow Rotary. Here are a few important points to remember: creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere is key, the Four-Way Test is essential in guiding our thoughts, words, and actions, and when we visit other places, we represent Rotary.
"Join Us for an Inspiring Talk by Jamie Rios and Celebrate the Return of the Cardinal City Pageants!"
Jamie Rios will be speaking on Tuesday, September 16th. We will meet at noon at the Elk's Lodge. Please bring a guest. The Cardinal City Pageants offer excellent service and scholarship opportunities for students. Jamie has been directing this pageant for over 20 years, and it is returning to the newly refurbished theater at SBHS. Tickets can be purchased for $10. The pageant will take place on Saturday, September 20th.
Next Board Meeting
We will have a board meeting after the presentation. Please stick around for the meeting if you are on the board to vote on a few items.
Tawnya Rhoades-Hensley
President, 2025-2026
Rotary Club of Downtown San Bernardino
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Rotary Club Website
Attention San Bernardino Rotarians,
You can now access the Rotary Club of San Bernardino website by entering the domain names: rotarysb.org and rcsb.net.
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Featured Speaker
Jaime Rios – Founder, Mr. & Miss Cardinal City Pageant
Jaime Rios is a proud San Bernardino High School alumnus and longtime Bilingual School Outreach Worker with the San Bernardino City Unified School District. More than two decades ago, he founded the Mr. and Miss Cardinal City Pageant — a unique leadership and service program that crowns the Cardinal City Court each year.
What began as a way to celebrate school pride has grown into a transformative experience for students, blending public speaking, poise, and leadership training with a deep commitment to civic engagement. Rios’ vision is rooted in the belief that young people thrive when they are challenged to represent their community with integrity, compassion, and confidence.
Community Impact of the Cardinal City Court
Under Rios’ mentorship, contestants:
Dedicate 25+ hours to community service each season, in addition to their academic and extracurricular commitments.
Read to young children in local schools and libraries, fostering literacy and mentorship.
Support people experiencing homelessness through volunteer work and donation drives.
Serve as role models for peers, demonstrating that leadership is built on service, discipline, and teamwork.
Earn scholarships and recognition — past contestants have received awards for academic excellence (including GPAs above 4.8) and vocational training opportunities.
The Cardinal City Court is more than a pageant — it’s a launchpad for future leaders. Alumni have gone on to excel in higher education, community advocacy, and professional careers, carrying forward the values of service and pride in San Bernardino that Rios instills in every participant.
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ROTARY LIFE ADVISORS
Freshman Class – Leonard Ayala & Antonette Hensley
Sophomore Class – Brittany Guillory & Denisha Harris
Junior Class – No Class
Senior Class – Latasha Aimee, Lindsey Cobaugh & Shirley Jean
Jamie Rios will be speaking on Tuesday, September 16th. We will meet at noon at the Elk's Lodge. Please bring a guest. The Cardinal City Pageants offer excellent service and scholarship opportunities for students. Jamie has been directing this pageant for over 20 years, and it is returning to the newly refurbished theater at SBHS. Tickets can be purchased for $10. The pageant will take place on Saturday, September 20th.
We will have a board meeting after the presentation. Please stick around for the meeting if you are on the board to vote on a few items. 
Jaime Rios is a proud San Bernardino High School alumnus and longtime Bilingual School Outreach Worker with the San Bernardino City Unified School District. More than two decades ago, he founded the Mr. and Miss Cardinal City Pageant — a unique leadership and service program that crowns the Cardinal City Court each year.