The "Manhattan Optimist Club Bulletin" 3/22/23

VOLUME 2023 - MARCH 22 - NUMBER 25

President Thad’s welcome was followed by the Flag Salute.  

ACHES & PAINS:  

Be Kind, you never know what battles others are facing…. keep those less fortunate in your thoughts and prayers.   

PROGRAM:   

Thad Hall welcomed the Staff, students and families of Northview Elementary School and turned the meeting over to Sharon Fincham who introduced the two teachers in attendance.  Stephanie Cullimore a 1st grade teacher and Sowmya Sugumaran, a 3rd grade teacher, Principal Nick Goos and 3rd grade teacher Noel Kellogg were unable to attend this morning.  Northview Elementary School had 3 wonderful students that were recognized for Optimist Youth of the Month. 

First up, Mark Locke introduced 3rd grader, James. James was here this morning with his parents Joshua and Sarah as well as his brother John.  James’ nominating teacher, Sowmya Sugumaran had the following to say about James: “He is a very enthusiastic and happy young man!!  He genuinely cares for his friends and teachers.   He always helps his peers and teachers and has a special skill of finding positives in every situation.  James always compliments people around him and makes them happy when they are having a hard day.  His happy, smiling face and his kind heart has earned him lots of friends.  James walks into the classroom with a big smile and gives me a hug an I cannot thank him enough for brightening some of my “dull” mornings.  He inspires people around him to find the joy in the little things.  I am fortunate to have him in my classroom.”

His family added that he is a collaborator, creative, loves art, drawing and sculpting.  He is very creative, lives by the rules and really is just a good kid! (James had that contagious smile on his face the whole morning)

Next up, Brian Joy introduced Sawyer, a 3rd grader, who was here with his parents, Justin and Kiley as well as siblings Jaylen, Brody, Sophia and Joshua.  His teacher, Noel Kellogg had the following to say about nominating him: “Sawyer came to me because he was struggling in reading.  Since he began, he has gone up over 66 words per minute and his national reading scores are approaching grade level expectations. Sawyer works very hard at his reading, he practices reading every night and while last year, he saw himself as “unable to read”, this year he sees himself “as a reader”!  He can now confidently choose his own books and he suggests books for his friends to read.  Sawyer now enjoys reading and chooses to do it in his spare time and has gotten to this point because he worked hard, never gave up and always asked questions when he was confused.  He deserves recognition for all his efforts, for his perseverance and his integrity. 

Sawyers family added, he is funny, smart, he can find anything that is lost, and his older brother added “he’s nice” too.  He loves reading, math, baseball (he and his siblings have all played Optimist T-Ball) and doing things outside with his family.  They like to fish and once caught a 45lb catfish!!!  Sawyer never gives up strives to get things right. 

Lastly, Sharon Fincham introduced 1st grader, Everleigh, who was accompanied by her parents, Crystal and Patrick, her twin sister Emily and her brothers Eric and Evan.  Here is what her teacher, Stephanie Cullimore had to say: “I am nominating Everleigh for the Youth of the Month Award because of her helping heart and immense empathy.  She is always lending a helping hand to others but especially to one of our new students.  She likes to make sure that our new students, and everyone in our class is taken care of and happy.  If they are having a rough day, she talks them through it and if they need something, she’s on the case!!  Everleigh is a great example of empathy and how people should treat each other.”

Her family said she is “in charge” and maybe just a little bossy but she loves to play outside, shoot hoops and loves to read, especially chapter books.  Everleigh, her sister and her older brother played Optimist T-Ball and her younger brother will play in a couple years when he’s old enough.

Congratulation to all three of these great students, who well deserve the recognition they received today!  We are proud of all three of you and wish you the very best in the years to come. 

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:  

Greg McCune introduced our newest member, Kale Terrill in the member spotlight this morning.  Kale joined Optimist this month, with Todd Chyba as his sponsor, thank Todd for recruiting new members!

Kale said he joined the Optimists because he likes our mission of helping youth and has seen the impact of our programs in the community. 

Kale is from Smith Center Kansas, he attended Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, majoring in Business Finance, Business Administration and Sports Administration.  He earned an MBA in Finance from the University of Nebraska.  After college, he lived six years in Lincoln Nebraska working for the Athletic Department but during the pandemic, he decided to leave the Athletic Administration and build a career in finance. 

He moved to Manhattan and worked for K-State in the Division of Finance as a purchasing contract administrator for various colleges and central administration.  In April of 2021, he joined The Trust Company as a Trust Officer and Wealth Advisor.

Kale will be getting married on April 22 to Olivia Ohm, who is a leasing manager for Advance Property Management here in Manhattan.  Kale’s brother and his wife live in Manhattan as well, which he said was a big draw for he and his fiancé to move here. 

kale says that he has spent most of his spare time lately on wedding planning but is very much looking forward to that being finished.  He and Olivia are avid sports fans of Kansas State and Nebraska Cornhuskers, attending several sporting events, almost weekly, both here in Manhattan as well as Lincoln with many friends and family.  Welcome to the Optimist Club Kale!

CLUB STUFF/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• 13th Annual Spaghetti Dinner to be held March 25th (check the handout to see where you’ll be stationed at the Spaghetti Dinner and what time you are needed!)
• Thank you to all who helped with the Special Olympics Basketball Tournament, what a rewarding program
• Dime-a-day Optimist International – club # 37135 Can you spare a dime a day??
• OI Annual Convention will be held July 2nd thru 5th in Arlington Virginia
• Bill Snyder Half Marathon will be May 27th – more information to come
• Per Membership Survey – Meeting changes will start in June.  There will be two Noon Meetings per month.  They will be on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, Morning meetings will be held on the other Wednesdays.

GUESTS: 

Welcome Students, parents, families, staff and faculty of Northview Elementary School, we are so glad you could join us.

Meeting adjourned with the OPTIMIST CREED.

MARCH PROGRAMS:

Program Chairs:  Heather Peterson and Bob Pulford

March 29:                           Respect the Law & Business Meeting

(MORNING MEETING)   Presentation of Certificate and Plaque to “Law Officer of the Year”

                                               Business Meeting