The Rotaract students from Marymount who participated in the District 5280 humanitarian trip to Colombia included Angelina Gorbaseva, Victoria Perez, Kevin Tang, Ruqaya Alloo, Fray Reyes, Amanda Peter, Francisca Cortes and Jazmyn Cano-Casas. They took turns discussing their award-winning Rotaract Club’s activities this year, with a slideshow.
 
 
Besides the Colombia trip, they participated in Book Buddies (book drive sponsored by the Molina Foundation), the Halloween Festival for children at Camp Pendleton, the White Point Elementary School Fall Festival, Pennies for Polio ($120), Harbor Interfaith Center (120 toys collected), Palos Verdes Land Conservancy, Canyon Verde in Redondo Beach (an activity center for adults with special needs), a school supplies drive and luncheon for Colombia, backpack distribution for Los Angeles foster children, participation in the District Ethics competition, District 5280 Breakfast (Youth program), and Rotary Day of Service at the 15th St School in San Pedro.
 
During their trip to Colombia, they distributed wheelchairs for children, participated in a dental health project with the Rotary Club of Itagui, distributed computers for children, and visited a very small hospital in Alejandria, much too small for the size of community.  This was a life-transforming experience for them.  (The entire District 5280 group included 120 Rotarians, Rotaractors and guests, distributing $450,000 of resources funded by the Rotary Foundation.)
 
The students quoted Mahatma Gandhi saying, "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."  PDG Dave Moyers noted that the host Rotarians in the recipient country determine where their own people’s needs are for humanitarian grants, rather than the outsiders coming in with what they may think is needed.
 
Rotaract President Victoria Perez was then presented with a plaque recognizing her as the Rotaractor of the Year, and a $500 scholarship.  She was recognized by Loyola Marymount President Brophy and by Rotaract Advisor Dr Burns for her inspirational leadership.