Rotary Club honors El Segundo school and city staff at 2025 Community Service Awards

The Rotary Club of El Segundo held its 2025 Community Service Awards at the El Segundo Moose Lodge, honoring members of the El Segundo Unified School District and city staff, organizers and recipients said.

The luncheon recognizes local public servants for long-term service and community contributions. "Rotary Club has a motto, service above self, and that's exactly what this luncheon is about, service above self," said a Rotary Club member at the event.

Recipients included city employees and school staff. Firefighter Brian Partlow, who spoke at the luncheon, described the recognition as personal: "I'm not firefighter 7 9 6 5 8. I'm, you know, Brian Partlow," and said being known by name in a small community felt meaningful. Another award recipient who said she has worked with her department for 15 years called the honor "an incredible honor" and said she looked forward to celebrating with fellow recipients.

A school employee who received recognition said students had been excited about the awards and acknowledged that being pulled out of class for the event felt "kind of weird," but called the attention "a great honor." Other attendees described the awards as a way to bring together community members and staff across departments.

Organizers and awardees emphasized the local, communal purpose of the ceremony rather than policy or budget decisions. The event concluded with organizer/commentator Aguirre De Lio signing off: "That's a wrap on the 2025 community Service Awards. Congratulations once again to all the winners."