The "Manhattan Optimist Club Bulletin" #31 5/3/23
VOLUME 2023 May 3, 2023 NUMBER 31
First Vice-President Bill Wisdom welcomed the membership, followed by the Flag Salute.
Introduction of Visitors and Special Guests
Bill Wisdom recognized the students, parents, and faculty of Manhattan High School’s Interpersonal Skills class. He also recognized Rob and Suzi Obermeter, District leaders from Topeka.
Member Spotlight
Greg McCune introduced Gary Lloyd. Gary Lloyd is one of our newest members, having submitted his application just last month. His sponsor is Jerry Banaka, so thank you Jerry.
Gary said he joined Optimists because he is impressed by the recognition of youth achievements, and support of youth and community programs.
You could say Gary’s life has been filled with music. He grew up in Bartlesville, OK, and received a Music Education degree from Tulsa University, and a masters from Wichita State. Gary has been a band director his entire career, first in Oklahoma, then Kansas, and finally migrating to Colorado serving three years in Vail. Then he was a Band Director in Longmont ESA public schools for 32 years. He retired in 2013 and after that he was conductor of the Longmont Concert Band, an adult community band, for seven years.
Gary’s wife Kay is a very talented flute player, teacher, former Executive Director of the Longmont Symphony Orchestra, and Music Director of their past church.
Gary and Kay got to Manhattan by following their grandchild. His son came to school here, met his wife in the K-State Marching band, and then got a job in Manhattan after graduating. Gary and his wife, Kay, would come to football game weekends to watch the band and visit their son. After their son put down roots here, they continued to visit. Then, his granddaughter arrived three years ago. Gary and Kay moved here a year ago.
In his spare time, Gary is an avid Fly fisherman, although he’s trying to convert to bass fishing. He also enjoys upland bird hunting, hiking, camping, and most anything outdoors, including gardening.
Welcome to the Optimists Club Gary. We are fortunate to have you and Kay in our community.
Ashley Urban introduced Brady Lundeen. Brady has been an Optimist Member for about six months and was sponsored by Heather Peterson. He’s originally from Fowler, KS, home of the Goldbugs! He went to Washburn University where he graduated with a degree in Management and Marketing in 2012.
After graduating he began his career with Kansas Commercial Real Estate Services where he worked as the Marketing Director and Property Manager. In 2021 he was provided the opportunity to purchase an existing commercial real estate brokerage here in Manhattan and opened the Manhattan Branch of Kansas Commercial in downtown Manhattan where he is currently the Supervising Branch Broker.
He and his family moved from Topeka to Manhattan in October of 2021. His wife, Sarah, is a licensed clinical psychologist and has a private practice, Restored Counseling Services, here in town. They have a son, Elijah, who is five, and a daughter, Jessa, who is about six weeks old.
Brady enjoyed participating in several philanthropic organizations in Topeka including, The Active 20-30 Club which served underprivileged youth in Shawnee County. While searching for a similar organization that served youth here in Manhattan, he was directed to the Optimist Club and joined shortly after. In his free time, Brady likes golfing, mountain biking, fishing, kayaking, and spending time with his family and friends.
Announcements and Upcoming Events
Sean Nordberg, Sophie Maranville, and Scott Gray were sworn in by Governor Doug Jardine.
Steve McKinzie announced the Little Apple Chorus Spring Show is at 3:00 PM at the KSU Union Forum Hall on Saturday, May 6th.
Ed Klimek recognized Crays C., Ava H., Amelia K., Kaden D., Mariah H., and Sophia S. as this year’s Student of the Month. Each year, one of the Student of the Month winners will receive a $1,000 scholarship as the Student of the Year. Bill Wisdom and Ed Klimek attended the MHS Awards Banquet on Monday, May 1st to present the award.
Bill Wisdom announced this year’s Student of the year is Sophia S.
Sign-up sheets to help with the Bill Snyder Half Marathon May 27th 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM were on the tables.
Jim Franke announced that T-Ball begins May 22 and runs until the end of June. There is a signup sheet for umpires on the tables.
Mike Fincham announced an Optimist Park maintenance session at 10:00 AM Saturday May 6th for a couple of hours to remove weeds from the ball fields.
A $100 gift card will be given to the member who sponsors the most new members by September 30, 2023.
The New Member Dinner will be held on May 11th at 6:00 PM.
Dime a Day pins were awarded to members Julie Burmmett, Steve Havenstein, Bryan Joy, Kelly Karl, Greg Wurst, Doug Jardine, Dan O’Neil, Steve Boeckman, and Craig Cox. Dime a Day funds stay in the State to support Optimist activities.
Program Introduction: Interpersonal Skills Class Essay Contest Winners
Ed Klimek explained the Interpersonal Skills Class (IPS) Essay Contest Sponsored by the Optimist. IPS is a year-long class offered to students with disabilities and general education peers who are seniors. The main goal of IPS is to learn about and embrace each other’s differences to learn how to work together and make the school, community, and world a more inclusive place. IPS’s class motto is “I am different, not less.” All students are interviewed and selected to be in the class. Currently, 48 students are enrolled in IPS. The first semester is devoted to learning about disabilities, getting to know each other, and embracing their similarities and differences. The second semester is filled with activities that teach these concepts to all students in the school.
Greg McCune explained the essay judging. Judges included three teachers, one Journalist, one attorney, two people from the finance industry, and one from small business. Ed Klimek, Greg McCune, Sharon Fincham, Julie Brummett, Nancy Farrar, Lucas Renz, Roger Brannon, and Heather Hinzdil served as judges.
Student winners were in attendance to read their essays. The following is a short summary of their essays.
Aubree H. began with the quote from a guest speaker in IPS. “It may not mean a lot to you, but to that one person it means the world.” Aubree’s essay focused on inclusion and how important it was to feel included. IPS may be the only place where some students feel included. She came to recognize students needed to be included throughout the school.
Jillian H.’s essay expressed her uncertainty of what they were going to do in IPS class. On her first day in class, she recognized there were students who were different from her and the students she regularly associated with. After attending camp and spending time with all the other students, she felt so much closer to them. She came to recognize that although there are many differences among students in the IPS class, everyone is included and has a role, uses their talent, and works together to achieve a common purpose. She will always fondly remember her experience in the IPS class.
Alexia C. expressed how much she loved the IPS class and all the friends she has in the class. She enjoyed the camp where she did archery, horseback riding and climbing the wall together. She danced and sang in the IPS talent show. She loved all the varied activities of the IPS class.
Juliet B. looked forward to IPS class since she was 13 years old, as her older brother was in the class and always had great things to say about the class. IPS class has given her lessons that no other class could have given her. IPS class helped her to be more open to all people and accepting of their differences and including them in activities. IPS class is the most impactful class she has taken in high school. The quote from one of the discussions “I am different, not less” made an impact on her. Her IPS class has encouraged her to be more inclusive and to advocate for more inclusion.
Ed Klimek presented a perpetual plaque from the Manhattan Optimist Club to the IPS class, with the names of the four winners as the first winners and future winners will be added.
Next Week’s Program – Wednesday May 10th at 7:00 AM
Youth of the Month – Woodrow Wilson Elementary School
Adjourned with the Optimist Creed