The "Manhattan Optimist Club Bulletin": Vol. 2025 #21: 3-19-25

Posted March 19, 2025

VOLUME 2025           MARCH 19         NUMBER 23

Vice President Kelly Karl welcomed everyone this morning, Jerry Banaka graced us with our morning reflection, followed by the Flag Salute. 

ACHES & PAINS: Spring is right around the corner!  Breathe in the fresh air and enjoy!      

PROGRAM: Don Bechtel introduced his friend and today’s speaker, Terry Pfannenstiel, KSU Psychologist, Mental Health Counselor.  Today, Dr. Pfannenstiel’s topic was “Challenge of Parenting.”  To get us started, Dr. Pfannenstiel gave a quick insert from the High School Newspaper – The Mentor.  Editorial: Realities of increasing burnout, stress in young people… (January 21, 2025).  “A recent College Rover Study says nearly 13% (one in eight) of prospective college applicants abandoned their plans due to application stress. Almost one in four students attend therapy to cope with application-related anxiety. Young people are experiencing stress on elevated levels compared to the past. Whether it’s due to a growingly strained economic state and limited opportunities, an increasingly unattainable American dream, or the rise of social media platforms, young people are under immense pressure.  The MHS Mentor Editorial Board believes that the stress epidemic facing today’s youth requires a holistic societal response. These pressures stem from a blend of economic realities, societal expectations and technological influences, each of which must be addressed to foster a healthier, less anxious generation.”

Dr. Terry Pfannenstiel, KSU Psychologist, Mental Health Counselor
He followed up with a lot of interesting thoughts from, “If application stress and application anxiety are signs of your first major decisions, perhaps there should have been other “major” decisions you should have encountered before these.  The Try, try again if you first do not succeed idea should have perhaps been introduced earlier in your life.” He stated, “Social media is perhaps a large part of the problem, cell phones should (in my opinion) be left at the front door and not be allowed in the classrooms.  That is a huge distraction not only to the student but to the teacher and other students as well.  Mental health should begin at home and not at school.”

Other “Criteria” for parents that Dr. Pfannenstiel made mention of:

  • Acknowledge you don’t know everything
  • Use things you are good at and pass them along
  • Never pass up the opportunity to “keep your mouth shut” don’t tell them what to do
  • Acknowledge that you have made mistakes and corrected them
  • Guide kids to be successful, allow them to take risks
  • Encourage kids to do the “Hard” things, challenge them and let them fail-just to get that second chance
  • Kids need a hero/heroine to “model” after, someone to look up to
  • It’s ok to say NO
  • Eat meals together with no phones at the table and no television on so you can TALK to one another and hear about each other’s day – this is kind of a lost art anymore…
  • The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt is also a great book (I found it thru Amazon)

Thank you Dr. Pfannenstiel for sharing with us today.  You have given us a lot to think about. 

CLUB STUFF/ANNOUNCEMENTS and UPCOMING EVENTS:

Special Olympics Basketball Tournament – March 21st and 22nd /See Bill W for more details
Annual Spaghetti Dinner & Silent Auction – March 29th be sure to sign up, see Jim Franke for more information, and see Julie or Lisa with silent auction questions

GUESTS: There were two special guests this morning.  Doug Jardine was accompanied by his daughter Leah and Bob Seymour brought his grandson Andrew.    

Meeting adjourned with the Optimist Creed

MARCH BIRTHDAYS