Club News Archive
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A South Haven teacher who took an extraordinary path to becoming an educator has been presented the 2020 Education and Service Award by the Rotary Club of South Haven. Anna DeVries, a third grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary, has been honored as an educator who exemplifies attributes that go beyond teaching.
DeVries taught in Covert and Benton Harbor prior to joining the South Haven system in 2014. Her grandparents, Don and Dorothy Jackson, were both teachers. DeVries' classroom at Lincoln Elementary is the same room where her grandfather taught.
DeVries' path to a career in education is especially impacting.
"If you knew me when I was younger, you would have never guessed I would have followed in my grandparents' footsteps. I once dropped out of high school. I was disconnected and lost in the school system. After I had my daughter, I returned to school and found myself at home in a classroom because I truly enjoy learning.
DeVries graduated from Eastern Michigan University and became a reading specialist after getting a Master's degree from Western Michigan University.
"It is from these personal experiences that I grew a passion for helping every student succeed. Connecting those students who struggle academically and emotionally is important to me," she said.
Lincoln Elementary principal Katie Jobson, in her nomination of DeVries, observed that "not only does the ongoing development of her craft lead Anna to be a strong presence in the classroom, but the way she develops positive relationships with her students is noteworthy. Anna is our go-to person for science instruction, providing leadership and new learning to her-colleagues."
In this unique time of a prolonged school closure due to the COVID pandemic, DeVries is credited with establishing ways to connect with her students online and for being quick to respond to their needs.
"As someone who once hated face-timing, I have quickly learned to love it when I see the joy on the faces of the kids seeing their friends," DeVries said.
"Equality is an issue that definitely sparks my passion," said DeVries. "Creating equal opportunities for all of our students to succeed, regardless of wealth, race, culture, or beliefs, is something I strive for every day. Unfair opportunities that lead to a gap in achievement is something that disturbs me, something that may likely be getting worse with distance learning, and something I work to fight against as much as I can."
"Anna's generosity with her time is a benefit for her students, her colleagues, and the greater South Haven community," said Jobson.
She is also active in the community, serving on the Board of Foundry Hall and as treasurer for the South Haven Education Association., She has been involved with Girls on the Run, encouraging young girls to have positive self images of themselves. She has partnered with the garden club on projects that have beautified South Haven schools, including an outdoor learning area at Lincoln.
The Rotarians, in collaboration with the South Haven Public Schools Educational Foundation and the South Haven campus of Lake Michigan College, annually recognize an educator who exemplifies the attributes of quality teaching and is an active volunteer in the South Haven community. Nominations for this honor are received from the education community. A $250 contribution will be presented to the Educational Foundation in DeVries' name by Rotary.
Over the past 15 years the Rotarians have also contributed over $200,000 in support of financial aid for students at the South Have campus and to benefit programmatic initiatives within the South Haven public schools systems.
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Kenya Hospital Recognizes Rotary
A Record Breakfast Servings!
Rotary District 6360 Governor Margie Haas joined South Haven Rotarians in flipping pancakes during own annual Independence Holiday breakfast on Sunday, July 7. President Mark Odland offered some tips. Enjoy photos from our breakfast.
Leader of the Parade
Service to Community Recognized

Our Club Hero

Educator of the Year

A Growing Club
Community Pride
In Service to Community
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![]() The Rotary Club of South Haven has awarded a $10,000 grant to Bronson Health Foundation to assist South Haven area residents with home healthcare and telemedicine needs. The Rotary-Bronson Telemedicine Initiative will help people in need of care at home by providing durable medical equipment including pulse oximeters, diabetic monitoring supplies, scales and thermometers. It will also promote better access to care through telemedicine by providing tablets so residents can have virtual doctor visits and communicate electronically with their provider. Funding for the first half of the grant was recently presented to the Foundation, with the second half scheduled for distribution in May. “The COVID-19 pandemic really put a spotlight on the need for this type of assistance,” explains Dr. Richard Swanson, a member of the Rotary Club of South Haven’s board of directors and a retired rheumatologist. “A lot of people in our community live in rural areas and may not be able to get to a doctor’s office or may not have full internet access,” says Swanson. “These resources will allow people to monitor their health at home and give them continuity of care so they don’t have to make frequent trips to a physician’s office. In the end, this could help reduce hospitalizations and allow some that are hospitalized to go home sooner.” Distribution of the resources to patients will be managed through Bronson South Haven medical practices. “This initiative is a great example of how Bronson and the community can come together to remove barriers to access,” says Liz Semaan, executive director, Bronson Health Foundation. “We are so thankful to the Rotary Club of South Haven for making this a priority project to assure the greater South Haven community is supported.” |
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