The Rotary Club of Whidbey Westside spent more than $5,000 on 40 graphing calculators for South Whidbey High School math students in need.

South Whidbey High School made graphing calculators a requirement for all math courses in the 2014-15 school year. Approximately 100 students, a quarter of the total 400 enrolled in these classes, were estimated to be unable to afford the specialized calculators for themselves.

Clyde Monma, Youth Service chairman of the Rotary Club of Whidbey Westside and volunteer Math Team advisor for South Whidbey High School, notified the Rotary Club of the need.

“Clyde Monma is one of the most unsung heroes of South Whidbey High School and South Whidbey School District,” said John Patton, South Whidbey High School principal, at a recent school board meeting.

The Rotary Club of Whidbey Westside worked with the Rotary International to secure a partial matching grant for the program. The project was funded through contributions from the Rotary Club, Rotary International Grant Program and several community members.