From The Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville Rotary Daybreak Club has named its Don Haisten Student and Teacher of the Month for February.
(From Left to Right) Coordinator Ty Williams, Farah Bridges, Michelle Martinez-Barrera, Michelle’s mother Lilian, and Club President Greg Carroll. (Photo courtesy of Diane Poole)
Michelle Martinez-Barrera is a senior at Clay-Chalkville High School and has been involved in such clubs as Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and HOSA, an international student organization that promotes career opportunities in the health care industry. She helps with blood drives and sock drives, and she also tutors students who need to learn English and other subjects. She received the academic achievement award her freshman and junior years and the outstanding freshman award and student of the month for March 2020. She is a member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta.
Her selection for Teacher of the Month is Farah Bridges.
“For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to work in the medical field,” Martinez-Barrer said. “I thought I might want to be a doctor, but Mrs. Bridges has helped me learn about other professions through her patient care technician class. I now want to pursue a career in nursing. Mrs. Bridges is one of the few teachers who makes me feel safe enough to talk about whatever is bothering me. Her personality allows students to enjoy learning and not just feel like it’s another class to pass. She makes us feel like she is proud of each of us and encourages us to be the best we can be. I will never forget her shining nature.”
Bridges has previously been selected by her students as Rotary’s Teacher of the Month, which speaks to her ability to connect with her students.
The Rotary International is a global network of 1.2 million business, professional, and community leaders whose motto is ‘Service above Self.’ This club lives out this motto by serving the community in many ways. Proceeds from fundraising events, including the coordination of the golf tournament, go toward the club’s many projects.
Those projects include leadership opportunities for local high school students, Dr. Seuss books for local elementary students, ribbons at City Hall in recognition of Veterans’ Day, lunch for campers and staff at Smile-a-Mile, trees planted at Civitan Park, and more. The Club recently funded the new clock in downtown Trussville, benches at the walking track at Cahaba Elementary, and playground equipment at The Mall in historic Trussville. #rotary6860 #ServiceAboveSelf
Each recipient received a gift card compliments of Full Moon BBQ and the Trussville Rotary Daybreak Club.
Full Moon BBQ sponsors the program. Each honoree will receive a gift card provided by Full Moon Bar-B-Q and the Trussville Rotary Daybreak Club. The Club meets at 7 a.m. on the first through fourth Wednesday mornings of each month. For more information on the Trussville Rotary Daybreak Club or to help with one of our projects, please email Diane Poole at
The Trussville Rotary Daybreak Club meets at 7 a.m. on the first through fourth Wednesday mornings of each month at First Baptist Church Trussville (128 N. Chalkville Road). For more information on the Trussville Rotary Daybreak Club or to help with one of our projects, please email Diane Poole at dianepoole1225@centurytel.net.
