Clinton Rotary Club celebrates a year of service

July 8, 2026

The Clinton Rotary Club celebrated another successful year of service to the community during its annual Awards and Officer Installation Ceremony, recognizing outstanding volunteers, honoring community partners, and welcoming new leadership for the 2026–2027 Rotary year.

The club recognized its outgoing president, Regina Copeland, for her exceptional leadership and dedication throughout the past year, a news release stated.

During her remarks, incoming president Amanda Hughes thanked Copeland for her tireless service, noting that she served in numerous leadership capacities while managing many of the club’s day-to-day operations.

In addition to serving as president, Copeland coordinated weekly lunch meetings, worked closely with the Clinton High School Interact Club, oversaw service projects and academic scholarships, and helped ensure the club’s many community initiatives were successful.

Under Copeland’s leadership, the Clinton Rotary Club packed backpacks filled with school supplies for Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, stocked the necessities closet at North Clinton Elementary School with hygiene items, socks, and undergarments for students in need, provided Thanksgiving meals for 20 local families, and sponsored Christmas gifts for 20 local students.

Rotary also continued its commitment to developing leaders by sending students to the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, the Interact Club Leadership Conference, Tennessee Girls State, and Tennessee Boys State.

Additional service projects included sponsoring transportation for local students competing in the Special Olympics, scholarships for graduating seniors, hosting the club’s 14th-annual Daddy Daughter Dance, and organizing fellowship events that strengthened relationships among club members.

During the ceremony, the Clinton Rotary Club also presented the Gary Coleman Award to Kelly Johnson, director of Clinton City Schools, in recognition of her dedication and service to the club and the students in the city school system.

“Johnson serves as the vital connection between Clinton City Schools and the Rotary Club, helping identify students and families with the greatest needs and coordinating the club’s many service projects to ensure assistance reaches those who need it most,” the news release from the club stated.

“Her partnership has been instrumental in the success of numerous Rotary initiatives benefiting local children and families.”

The award was presented by Marsha Stapleton, daughter of the late Gary Coleman. Coleman was a devoted member of the Clinton Rotary Club for more than 30 years and was widely admired for his unwavering commitment to service, his friendship and his lasting impact on the Clinton community, the release stated.

The Gary Coleman Award honors individuals who exemplify his legacy of selfless service and dedication to others.

The club also recognized this year’s scholarship recipient, Isabel Worthington, congratulating her on her achievements and encouraging her to remain involved in Rotary throughout her educational and professional journey as part of the Rotary family.

Hughes was sworn in by Kelly Vittaroe, Rotary assistant district governor for Area 1.

During her acceptance remarks as incoming president, Hughes reflected on a favorite pageant interview response that has remained with her over the years: “Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching.”

She said that those words perfectly describe the members of the Clinton Rotary Club, whose countless hours of volunteer service often happen quietly behind the scenes without seeking recognition.

Hughes also spoke about the club’s ongoing efforts to strengthen leadership by encouraging presidents to attend the Presidents-Elect Training Seminar, expanding the club’s board of directors, and sharing responsibilities among more officers to provide continuity and prepare future leaders for success.



Board

The Clinton Rotary Club also announced its 2026–2027 Board of Directors:

President: Amanda Hughes

Past President: Regina Copeland

President-Elect: Wendy Maness

President Nominee and Interact Club Sponsor: Joey Smith

Secretary: Jay Knapp

Treasurer: Kelly Vittatoe

Club Service Chair: Charlotte Johnson

Social Chair: Cindy Landon

Membership Chairs: Bill Gallaher and Bear Stephenson

Sergeant-at-Arms: Ronnie Fox

Scholarship Chair and Public Image Chair: Katherine Birkbeck