Rotarians are proud of our history of service to our community, nation and the world for over one hundred years. We even document history like local journalist Sondra Hernandez with The Courier of Montgomery County and the Houston Chronicle.
Hernandez has been acknowledged with local and state awards for her media efforts to preserve and publish history. She has earned the William Harley Gandy Distinguished Service Award from the Montgomery County Historical Commission in her efforts of making history known in Hearst Publications and in her recent book publication on local history called “Conroe: Images of America.”
She was nominated by the Montgomery County Historical Commission for the prestigious Preservation Texas Media Award for her collaborative efforts to promote Montgomery County’s history. Sondra includes two pages of Courier News every Sunday from decades ago providing reader of The Courier tidbits on history.
She is a very busy mom of two along with her fulltime job with Hearst Publications while serving our community as a Rotarian. I am sure you will see her and her two “ringing the bells for the Salvation Army” on Dec. 6. She continues to provide historical perspectives in her daily life as a newspaper reporter/editor. However, it is nice to be recognized for such great recognitions in your Professional Life. Her son is also involved in Rotary as the Vice President of the Conroe High School Interact Club which is Rotary on a high school basis.
Congratulations to Rotarian Sondra Hernandez for a life well lived!
Rotarians are strongly involved with education whether it is our youth or adults. Deitra Johnson reported to me, “The buzz was strong on October 21 at this year’s Rotary Spelling Bee, where friendly competition, learning, and community support came together for a great cause. Thirteen teams representing local organizations, schools, and businesses took to the stage to spell their way toward the top. A total of 32 words challenged participants throughout the evening, with the championship word OLEAGINOUS closing out the competition in winning style.
Winning Teams:
🥇 1st Place: ALL Word Wizards – Lone Star College–Kingwood
🥈 2nd Place: The Queen Bees – Heritage Museum of Montgomery County
🥉 3rd Place: Bee-utiful Minds – Lone Star College–Kingwood
Thank you to the 12 generous sponsors who helped make the event a success: East Montgomery County Improvement District, Click Family Foundation, Plains State Bank, Rosewood Funeral Home, John & Linda Denny, Anne Vickery & Associates Realty, Commissioner Matt Gray, Rose and Milton Austin, Constable Rowdy Hayden, Suann Hereford and Shane Dulin, Karen and Bobby Chapman, and Judge Jason Dunn.
Over $8K was raised from the event, which will help provide scholarships for students from East Montgomery County high schools. These scholarships support local students as they pursue higher education and career training opportunities, reinforcing the community’s investment in its future leaders.
Looking ahead, the College Connections Event is scheduled for Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Lone Star College–Kingwood, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This event will help guide students and families through college and career pathway options.
The Rotary Spelling Bee remains a fun and meaningful way to support graduates and strengthen partnerships — one word at a time.”