Jonny Salinas attended the Rotary Youth Leadership Award Camp about a year ago.

It was there at the RYLA event that the now Ripon High senior met Jane Winning, who is the past District Governor for Rotary District 5220.

“She does medical missions in Guatemala,” said Salinas, who will be joining Winning and others on the humanitarian mission beginning this weekend.

Over the years, Winning, a registered nurse, has been instrumental in coordinating and leading medical teams and volunteers in providing healthcare and support in the impoverished communities in this Central American country south of Mexico.

Salinas, 18, is the son of Mel and Elvera Salinas of Ripon. He’s looking to attend a major university after graduation with the goal of studying environmental engineering and possibly health.

This past summer, he did a pair of internships, including one in research at UC Davis and the other at BEAM Circular, which works to unlock the power of communities to transform waste into economic prosperity and environmental solutions.

Because of that, Salinas was unable to join Winning’s summer group to Guatemala.

He’s getting that opportunity now thanks to the Rotary Club of Ripon and RHS, which is allowing to go on this medical mission as part of the Independent Study program.

According to Lynis Chaffey, who is the president of Ripon Rotary, Winning, who takes students on this humanitarian twice a year, provided Salinas’ itinerary for the upcoming trip scheduled from Jan. 17 through 24.

The group will go from Guatemala City to Coban to attend to those in need of medical support. Salinas noted that he’ll be helping out with providing the vaccines.

“I’m super excited,” he said. “I can’t wait to work with the doctors and the Rotarians.”

Salinas is especially thankful to the Ripon Rotary Club for helping support his cause with a $1,500 donation.

In addition, Winning has arranged for a one-day trip to Antiqua one night before flying back to the states.

“I’m looking forward to traveling,” Salinas said.