Thursday evening was a night of vibrant celebration and meaningful transition for the local Rotary Club, as members and their guests gathered to honor outstanding service and officially usher in new leadership. The atmosphere was alive with laughter and good cheer, marking a memorable occasion for the community-focused organization.

The event recognized the dedicated efforts of numerous individuals, with several prestigious awards presented. The Devoted Service Award was given to Mary Chapman, acknowledging her unwavering commitment. Paddy Sharma received the Jeff Warlick Foundation Award honoring her commitment to the Rotary International Foundation, while Aaron Wright was honored with the Bright Light Award. Evan Lovelace was recognized with the Servant Leader in Motion Award, and the Ripple Effect Award went to Ellie White-Stevens. Ozzie Marchante was named Remarkable New Rotarian, and the highly coveted Rotarian of the Year award was presented to George Martin.

The club also took the opportunity to acknowledge its outgoing 2024-2025 Board of Directors. Additionally, esteemed Past District Governor Gordon Owens and his wife, Ashley, were recognized for their continued contributions to Rotary.

A poignant highlight of the evening was the traditional passing of the gavel, a powerful symbol of the club’s enduring legacy. A remarkable 18 of the 23 active past presidents participated in the ceremony, underscoring the continuous strength and continuity of the club’s leadership. The gavel was officially passed to the new President, Chavdar Zdravkov.

President Zdravkov and his new board were officially sworn in by District Governor Steve Ivory. Zdravkov then shared an inspiring vision for the year ahead, reflecting on his personal journey and goals for the club. In a truly touching moment, he honored his wife, Milena, with a Paul Harris Fellow Award, acknowledging her unwavering support.

The evening successfully blended appreciation for the past year’s achievements and impact with an enthusiastic look forward to the exciting possibilities of the year ahead. Club leadership expressed confidence that the strong momentum built will ensure another impactful year of service and community engagement.

Outgoing President Patti Kadkhodaian, expressed, “It’s been a genuine honor and privilege to serve as the president of our amazing Rotary Club.”

Photo caption: Immediate past President Patti Kadkhodaian passes the gavel to new Peachtree City Rotary President Chavdar Zdravkov.