MURRIETA- A Murrieta police officer, fire department deputy and Murrieta Valley Unified School District teacher were honored during the Rotary Club of Murrieta Vocational Service Awards luncheon, Monday, Jan. 25.
The three receiving awards were Murrieta Police Officer Jennifer Metoyer, Murrieta Deputy Fire Chief Pat Jennings, and Vista Murrieta High School teacher Markela “Kelly” Parsons.
The trio were nominated by their respective agencies for their distinguished vocational and community service. The awards luncheon was held at the Salvation Army Center in Murrieta and was attended by Murrieta elected officials as well as community business leaders.
“The Rotary Club of Murrieta is honored to recognize these upstanding citizens who through their work are making real differences in our community,” Al Vollbrecht, president of Rotary Club of Murrieta, said. “We asked the organizations to nominate individuals who exemplify the standards of Rotary, including ‘Service Above Self’ and the Four Way Test which stresses integrity and fairness while building goodwill and better friendships.”
Officer Metoyer has been in police work for 15 years and with the Murrieta Police Department for 11 years. She currently works as a motorcycle police officer and traffic investigator; in addition, she volunteers as one of the department’s two social media administrators. She initiates posts on the department’s Facebook page and responds to comments and messages from the community on a daily basis. In addition, she often volunteers to conduct educational school visits, teaching about law enforcement and the role of a motorcycle traffic officer, in particular. At Shivela Middle School, she organized a juvenile helmet safety event.
The fire department’s Jennings spent 30 years in fire service, 28 of which were at the Murrieta Fire Department. He was instrumental in transitioning the department from an all-volunteer fire department to a fully careered department in 1989. During his years, he served at every rank: firefighter, engineer, captain, training officer, battalion chief, deputy chief and interim fire chief. Pat brought direction and stability to department after the fire chief was seriously injured. He developed positive relationships with the Fire Fighters Union, Murrieta City Manager’s Office and Murrieta City Hall and laid the groundwork for transition to new department leadership.
The Murrieta Valley Unified School District’s honoree Markela “Kelly” Parsons teaches English and Peer Leadership at Vista Murrieta High School. She is the Link rew adCviser for the high school, annually deploying some 100 upperclassmen who welcome and mentor incoming freshmen to help them make the most of their high school years. Link Crew provides service to the school community daily but their giving does not end at the school’s gates. They participate in community events including food and blood drives. Mrs. Parsons has been teaching for 11 years.
The Rotary Club of Murrieta was chartered April 28, 1992. The club is involved in many international and community projects, in cooperation with Rotary International, which has as its theme “Service Above Self.” Club meetings are held Mondays (excepting holidays) at noon at Richie’s Diner in Murrieta.
For more information, please see www.MurrietaRotary.org, or visit Facebook.com/murrietarotary.
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