The "Manhattan Optimist Club Bulletin" 4/5/23
VOLUME 2023 April 5, 2023 NUMBER 27
First Vice-President Bill Wisdom gave a thought for the day, followed by the Flag Salute.
Student of the Month
Ed Klimek outlined the Manhattan High School Student of the Month Program. The program recognizes Manhattan High School seniors who make a difference in their community through volunteerism and leadership of activities that have a positive impact on the MHS or Manhattan community. The goal of the program is to inspire and encourage youth to get involved in their community in an effort to benefit others. Recipients receive $100 to donate to the organization of their choice. Ed Klimek introduced Sophia Steffensmier, Manhattan High School’s Student of the Month.
Sophia began by sharing a lesson she learned in high school. There are many things to do in high school, but it is important to find balance in your life. She introduced her mother, Tina Steffensmier, a drug and alcohol counselor, and her father, Tim Steffensmier, who is Director, Office of Engagement KSU and Director of Third Floor Research, Kansas Leadership Center, Wichita, KS. Sophia is very determined and driven. She swims competitively and has been doing so since she was eight years old. She swims six days a week for two hours per day and never really gets breaks. She has put a lot of time and effort into the sport and has received a lot back in return and really enjoys swimming. She received a guitar when she was young and loves music. The guitar is a way for her to express herself and be creative. She also likes to travel.
In 2020 she started a local chapter of Students Demand Action for Gun Sense in America (SDA), a national interest group which started in 2016, two weeks after the Parkland school shooting and consists of high school and college age students throughout the country. Her local group started with no attendees and now has 20 members. It is the only chapter of SDA in Kansas. Students are involved by hosting state-wide zoom panels, hosting a wear orange event, communication with Kansas State Representative Jo Ella Hoye and Senator Tom Hawk, and by phone banking and letters to Congress.
Sophia has also been involved in Student Council all four years at MHS. They have voted in new clubs, hosted schoolwide events, such as pageant, feast, and club ball, as well as managing prom, fundraising, and making changes within the school. In addition, she volunteers with the Red Cross drives twice a year and a clothing drive.
Sophia is involved in research at the Tobler Lab on the KSU Campus studying mitochondrial adaptation in fish. She assists in testing the effect of AP-39 on fish, a research project by Dr. Tobler and Madison Nobrega, a graduate student.
Her high school accomplishments include membership in the National Honor Society since 2021, KMAN Student Athlete of the Week, in 2021, Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) Kansas Leadership Seminar Delegate in 2021, and Kiwanis Club Honors Student in 2023.
Sophia thanked her Gifted Facilitator, Lisa Julian, for helping her find balance in her schedule and encouraging her to step outside her comfort zone. Her future plans include obtaining an undergraduate degree majoring in marine science and a minoring in environmental engineering from Florida Gulf Coast University, followed by going to graduate school for a masters and a PhD, then doing research either under government programs, independently or in higher education. Her long-term goals are making a dent in the water crisis through biotechnology, molecular organisms, chlorine replacement, desalination, etc. She also wants to share her passions of teaching swim lessons, guitar lessons, and communication skills as well as give back to those in need through water related research and activities.
Sophia is donating her $100 from Optimist to Students Demand Action at MHS.
Program
Heather Peterson introduced Tanner Bott, from Pawnee Mental Health, today’s speaker. Tanner has been a case manager in the Youth Community Services eastern region for five years and recently has been promoted to Team Lead. He has a passion for community mental health and fighting the stigma around mental health. Outside of his time working at Pawnee, Tanner enjoys traveling as well as writing and performing music.
Strength, Teamwork, Attitude, Relationships, Self-Esteem (S.T.A.R.S.) Camp is a camp run by Pawnee Mental Health exclusively for children aged 7-17 who have Serious Emotional Disturbances (SED). For many of these children S.T.A.R.S. Camp is the only summer camp they can attend due to the symptoms of their disorder. Tanner Bott shared a video with the group about S.T.A.R.S. Camp.
S.T.A.R.S. Camp - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6R4PGWev7rQ
S.T.A.R.S. Camp is held at Rock Springs 4H Center. The camp provides children with experiences they might not otherwise be able to have because of their diagnosis. They are able to build friendships with other youth who might have similar mental health diagnosis. Many of these students have trouble relating to other students, but when brought together at S.T.A.R.S. Camp they meet and make new friends, some who have similar needs, in an interactive environment where they can be leaders among their peers. Activities include canoeing, kayaking, wall climbing, horseback riding, archery etc. and counselors get the kids engaged in activities as much as possible.
Tanner will be going back to assist with S.T.A.R.S. Camp for the fifth year. Unlike regular camps where the student might get sent home, this camp has counselors experienced in working with students with mental health issues and can work through the crisis with the student. Students who attend camp almost always can’t wait until they can come back. S.T.A.R.S. Camp for teens is three days and two nights; elementary students have a one-day camp. Manhattan Optimist provides some funding to S.T.A.R.S. Camp.
Member Spotlight
Ashley Urban introduced Becca Traxson.
Becca joined the Manhattan Optimist Club close to a year ago and was sponsored by Heather Peterson. She joined Optimist Club because she felt like she had something to give and wanted to get more involved in the Manhattan community.
Originally from Pretty Prairie, Kansas, she attended Hutch Community College after high school. After a year, she transferred to K-State where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design and a secondary degree in Gerontology.
Becca graduated from K-State in 2010 and worked in the design world for some local businesses. In 2013 she joined the start-up, Fox Home Innovations, as their interior designer. Becca has been with Fox Homes since then and is the head of their growing design team. She has her CAP (Certificate of Aging in Place) and uses this to help clients design a home so they can make alterations down the road to continue aging at the home. She also sits on the ADA (Americans with Disabilities) Advisory Board here in Manhattan. This is a fairly new board that helps advise city officials and others on ADA needs.
While at K-State she reconnected with her friend Tyler, who she had initially met through a church group in high school. Becca and Tyler married and decided to plant roots in Manhattan. Tyler works for The Division of Communication and Marketing at K-State as the Director of Video Production.
They have two girls; Peyton (8) who is in second grade. Peyton is sweet with a big heart, creative, loves Star Wars and anime, and Harley (5) who is in kindergarten and is her wild child who is always on the go. In her spare time, Becca likes to do art with the girls, and spend time with their extended families back home in Pretty Prairie and Peabody.
Becca is looking forward to continuing to get involved with the Manhattan Optimist Club, getting to know more members, and growing with the group!
Announcements and Upcoming Events
Sign-up sheets to help with the Bill Snyder Half Marathon May 27th 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM were on the tables.
Todd Chyba announced the Grow Green Day on April 21st. Their website is:
https://www.growgreenmanhattan.com
Ed Klimek announced the Interpersonal Skills (IPS) class student essay contest is wrapping up. The IPS class, composed of senior regular education students and students with disabilities, submitted over 40 essays. Judging will occur next week to determine the four winners, who will receive $200 towards their future education. Next Wednesday, Optimist representatives will attend the class to announce the winners. Next month the four winners will attend the Optimist meeting and read their essays to the group.
Doug Jardine announced the next District meeting is in Emporia on April 22. We will be hosting the District Convention in Manhattan on August 19th.
Introduction of Visitors and Special Guests
Bill Wisdom introduced Sophia Steffensmier and her mother Tina Steffensmier.
Heather Peterson introduced Tanner Bott, today’s speaker.
Jerry Banaka introduced Gary Loyd, who returned for another visit with his membership application. Gary relocated to Manhattan from Longmont, Colorado and is a retired band teacher.
Ashley Urban introduced Wesley Garibay, who co-owns Garibay Lawn Care and Landscape, Garibay Dumpster Rental, Garibay Siteworks, and is a Realtor with the Alms Group.
Adjourned with the Optimist Creed
Next Week’s Program – Wednesday April 12th at 7:00 AM
Youth of the Month – Ogden Elementary School