The "Manhattan Optimist Club Bulletin" #28 4/12/23
VOLUME 2023 APRIL 12 NUMBER 28
President Thad’s welcome was followed by the Flag Salute.
PROGRAM: Ogden Elementary Youth of the Month
Thad Hall turned the program over to Sharon Fincham for our Ogden Elementary Youth of the Month recognition. Sharon first introduced us to Principal, Kayla Simon and nominating teachers, Valarie Morgenstem, Olivia Anderson and Amber Johnson. All expressed their gratitude to the Optimist for this wonderful program that recognizes those very deserving students.
Roger Brannan had the pleasure of introducing our first recipient, 3rd grader, August, here this morning with his parents Kirsten Talbert and Jesse Williams. Teacher, Valarie Morgenstem had the following to say about August: “He comes to school with a positive attitude and is always ready to try his best. He is a very hard worker that is consistently kind and helpful to all his classmates. August does a great job of communicating needs and emotions to both peers and adults. He is constantly contributing thoughtful ideas during class and isn’t afraid to share his new ideas.”
Roger added, in visiting with his mother, Kirsten, I discovered more admirable qualities about August. He is sweet, kind, brave, strong and sensitive. He is very resilient, having lost the sight in his left eye, but yet determined to read and do well in his classes. August, this resilient quality that you have means that you are a good example of the first element of our Optimist Creed: “To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.”
August must like challenges as his favorite school subject is MATH. He also enjoys coding in the computer game, MineCraft. He enjoys the animated tv series of Ryan’s World about “Gus the Alligator” and his favorite book series is the “Big Dog Series” books. He is about to start his second season of soccer and will be playing for the “Bronco’s” and he enjoys biking. He will be traveling to Canada with his grandparents and uncle this summer. He also likes “Build a Bear” and has made several stuffed bears. August is quite helpful, being responsible for doing chores that are listed on the Family Chore Chart. When asked what he’d like to do in the future, August is realistic – he will decide that when he’s older.
Next up, Mike Fincham introduced 5th grader, Abby, who was here this morning with her Aunt Jennifer as her mother had to work. Abby’s teacher, Olivia Anderson had the following to say: “Abby is a kind, considerate, caring girl who not only is a great student, but an amazing friend. Abby is always trying to do what she knows is right and is constantly putting others before herself. Her self-reflecting/self-advocating skills are stellar, demonstrating her high maturity level. Things don’t always come easy for her but when Abby is challenged, the last thing she will do is give up. She is always asking questions, using her problem-solving strategies and going the extra mile to show her full potential. Abby is a mature, kind-hearted, honest student and friend, making her the perfect recipient of this award. I am honored to have her in my class this year!”
Mike also added: “Abby likes to read, she’s creative, likes to create with beads and string. She plays soccer, loves unicorns and kids pop music and wants to make a difference in the world!” Like August, when asked what she’d like to do in the future, she will make that decision when she’s a little older.
Lastly, Sharon Fincham introduced 4th grader, Brithanny (Bri) who brought along quite a group, her mother Lourdes, Grandmother Maria, and sisters Kelly and Sophia. Teacher, Amber Johnson had this to say about Brithanny: “Bri is a role model for kindness and compassion in the classroom. She frequently asks classmates and adults if they need help. She is quick to comfort classmates when they are having a hard time. Bri has overcome personal difficulties through perseverance and outside-of-the-box thinking. She takes responsibility for her choices and is aware of her individual strengths as well as those of other students. Bri is creative and loves to have her projects and ideas shown in the classroom. She is a shining light!” Bri’s mother said much the same, Bri is the brightness in her life. She loves art, music, video games and is a great help to her sisters.
We Optimists salute all of you for your positive attitudes, the brightness you bring to your classrooms and wish you nothing but the best in the future! Keep shining bright!
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:
Greg McCune introduced us to new member, David Starks this morning. David is a new resident of Manhattan and wanted to join a civic group. He liked the Optimists club mission of helping kids because it is very similar to his job. He said that he also felt welcomed by the membership.
He grew up in Kingman, Kansas and graduated high school in 1990. He attended K State, graduating in December of 1993 with a B.S. in Agriculture, majoring in Park Resources Management. He moved to Enid, Oklahoma in and went to work for a tree service. He stayed with them for just short of 11 years and then opened his own tree service in 2005.
In 2019, he closed the business and went to work for the Cimarron Council of Boy Scouts of America as a District Executive. He was promoted to Senior District Executive for the Coronado Area Council in February of 2022 and came back to Manhattan.
David has been married to Mary for 24 1/2 years. They have three kids - son Bill, daughter Sydney, and son Logan. Bill lives in Enid, Sydney will graduate from the University of Central Oklahoma in May, Logan lives at home and is working at KSU. Mary is a first-grade teacher for Oklahoma City public schools but is retiring in May, moving to Manhattan and will start at College Hill early learning center in August. David enjoys camping, hunting, and fishing. He also enjoys cycling but has yet to venture out on the roads here. He has no previous Optimists experience, but his dad was a member if the Lion’s club.
Welcome to the Manhattan optimists Club David!
CLUB STUFF/ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Grow Green Match Day is April 21, 2023, see Todd Chyba with any questions
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 – 6:30am – 1:30am sign up sheets are out
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.
Student of the year -$1000.00 award presented May 1st at MHS AWARDS ASSEMBLY by Ed Klimek
ACHES & PAINS: Be Kind, you never know what battles others are facing…. keep those less fortunate in your thoughts and prayers.
GUESTS: Welcome students, families, faculty and staff of Ogden Elementary School!
Meeting adjourned with the OPTIMIST CREED.
APRIL PROGRAMS:
PROGRAM CHAIR: Heather Peterson
APRIL 19: Youth of the Month: Oliver Brown Elementary School
(Morning Meeting)
APRIL 26: Youth of the Month: Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School
(Morning Meeting)