The Rotary Club of Vancouver Sunrise on Thursday announced six new inductees to its Clark County Hall of Fame, including former Congresswoman Linda Smith.
Joining Smith in the Rotary club’s 2010 class are Richard Melching, the former superintendent of Evergreen Public Schools; Smokey’s Pizza owners Dellan and Wayne Redjou; Beaches Restaurant co-founder Mark Matthias; and guitarist John Standefer.
The 27th annual induction ceremony is scheduled for Jan. 21 at the Heathman Lodge, 7801 Greenwood Drive.
“We are proud to be recognizing these individuals,” Brady Lander, president of the Rotary Club of Vancouver Sunrise, said in a press release. “Each one of them has professional and civic accomplishments that reflect the commitment to serving others that is the hallmark of Rotary International.”
The new hall of famers will be introduced with a video or photo and a biography. Each will have a chance to address the attendees.
“They have a few minutes to talk about anything they’re involved in right now and anything in the future that’s happening,” said Shelly Palmer, the club’s hall of fame coordinator. “It’s a lot of fun.”
Tickets to the event are $40 per person, including dinner.
The selection process began with area club presidents nominating individuals they believe meet the Rotary motto: “Service above self.”
The inductees:
• Linda Smith: Since leaving the U.S. House of Representatives in 1999, Smith has focused her efforts on ending the worldwide trafficking of women and children.
• Mark Matthias: Co-founded Beaches Restaurant, which opened in 1995. He then set up the Beaches Charity Fund.
• Richard Melching: After he retired from his post as the Evergreen School District’s superintendent, Melching got even busier. He’s the president of the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington, and serves on several other area boards.
• Dellan and Wayne Redjou: The Redjous and Smokey’s Pizza are sponsors of youth sports teams. They’ve also provided meeting space for youth sports leagues and other organizations.
• John Standefer: A professional guitarist since age 16, Standefer was the winner of the 2002 National Fingerstyle Guitar Contest and open division winner of the 2004 International Home of the Legends Competition.
