Posted by Kelly Salwei
TRINI SANTILLAN OERTEL - MY ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE EXPERIENCE: FROM ARGENTINA TO EDEN PRAIRIE
Trini’s mother and father met at a birthday party for her mother’s sister. Trini has a brother who is twelve years old. At seven, Trini won her first karate competition. Her first trip to the US was with her family to Orlando. Trini had a good friend named Fausto who shared a birthday and they later learned that they were born in the same hospital. In addition to karate, Trini likes chocolate and has done some modeling in Argentina. Through friends she became interested in international exchange programs without her parent’s knowledge, she learned about the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, she later convinced her parents that it would be a good experience. School in Argentina starts in March so she attended for one week before leaving for the US. Trini was excited when she received a message from AJ Kraemer (Kevin Kraemer’s daughter). She flew in to Dallas and on to Minneapolis where she was met by a contingent of Rotarians and her host family. On her first day, she went to the MOA with AJ and AJ’s car broke down.
Trini shared many pictures from her stay in Minnesota and the things she has done to date including her first Thanksgiving and first snow ski trip. Trini was a cheerleader for the state champion EPHS football team. Trini loves sports and enjoys attending sporting events and is hoping to attend a Wild game.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
  • 1-2 to 1-5 Meals on Wheels
  • 1-9 Board meeting
  • 1-10 Swallowship
  • 1-11 Test Drive Reality is looking for volunteer group leaders for event at EPHS
  • 1-27 Mid-Term Assembly
  • Dan O’Brien reported that 31 members have pledged $17,900 to date (56% of goal). $11,610 has already been received. Please support Rotary by giving checks payable to The Rotary Foundation to Dan or donate on-line at https://www.rotary.org/en/donate
 
SPOTLIGHT ON HOLLY LINK
Holly grew up in West St Paul, the youngest of three girls. Received a BA in Communications from St Catherine University in St Paul. She married Brian in 1982. Received her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy at Loyola Marymont. Practiced for seven years in a therapy business. After moving back to Minnesota from California, she took a teaching job at Chapel Hill Academy in Chanhassen. She received her PhD in Educational Administration. Worked for Medica for six years. She developed a master’s program at the University of Minnesota. She worked with the EP School District on its 2012-13 strategic plan and was later recruited to run for school board and was elected. Holly and Brian have a son and a daughter who were both married in 2017.
 
 
Stella Lindbergh and Carter Mason, our interns from last year, gave us an update on their college experience
Carter is attending Hastings College in Nebraska and Stella is attending Denver University
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HAPPY BUCKS
  • Roger Jorgenson – son recently moved to CA for a job with Chubb.
  •  Dan O’Brien – great swallowship at his home attended by 19 people. Dan also happy to reprise his role as Santa at last weeks meeting.
  • Steve Cwodzinski – happy about first grandson
  • Dennis Kim – happy about recent Rotary Youth Exchange Country Fair attended by 120 students (18 from Northfield)
 
VISITORS
Bill Falk - EP Noon Club
AJ Kraemer - Guest of Kevin Kraemer
Annie Kraemer - Guest of Kevin Kraemer
Katy Kraemer - Guest of Kevin Kraemer
Sandy Kraemer - Guest of Kevin Kraemer
Lisa Lewis - Rotary Youth Exchange
Stella Lindbergh - Former Intern
Carter Mason - Former Intern
Krista McGinty - Guest of Jane McGinty
Madeline McGinty - Guest of Jane McGinty
Morgan Blixrud and Rekha Claus - Student Interns