The "Manhattan Optimist Club Bulletin": Vol. 2025 #27: 4-30-25

VOLUME 2025     APRIL 30     NUMBER 27

President Greg McCune welcomed the membership, MHS student of the month and parent, Bluemont, and Flint Hills Christian Elementary Schools teachers, students and parents. Bruce McMillam shared a reflection. The flag salute followed.

Thad Hall 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. Applicants submit a résumé and are judged by a committee. Six recipients are chosen during the year, and each receives $100 to donate to the organization of their choice and are eligible for a $1,000 scholarship as the overall yearly winner. Saba Mirafzal was introduced as the Manhattan High School Student of the Month.

Saba thanked the Optimist for choosing her as Student of the Month. She has lived in Manhattan for the majority of her life, attended Bergman Elementary, Anthony Middle School, and now is a senior at Manhattan High School. Her parents are both professors at KSU in electrical engineering. She enjoys visiting museums and traveling. She enjoys photography and taking pictures of her travels. She also enjoys cooking and baking and trying out baked items on her travels.

Throughout her high school career she has been involved with the Red Cross, especially blood drives. She is also part of the leadership for the International Humanitarian Law Youth Action Campaign and was selected as one of 33 participants from a competitive international pool and the sole representative from the Kansas-Oklahoma region and attended the Red Cross IHL YAC Summit in Washington, D.C.

She has been involved in research at the Biomedical Computing and Devices Laboratory and Nanotechnology Innovation Center of Kansas State University where she trained in cell culture techniques and collaborated with an undergraduate researcher to design in-vitro experiments on microwave-induced hyperthermia for pancreatic cancer cells.

She served on the MHS student council and was Class Secretary in 2021-22 and Class President 2022-23. Saba also was the co-founder and lead instructor for the Young Scholars Math Workshop from 2023 to present. They designed and launched a free summer math program to make math enichment accessible to grades 1-8 through games and activities. The program served students from diverse backgrounds, including homeschoolers and students from neighboring communities. Lesson plans were developed based on the Kansas Mathematics Standards and it was run entirely by high school students. She also does free trigonometry tutoring.

Violin has always been a part of her life as she started when she was five years old. She had to leave the high school orchestra after two years because she needed to schedule other classes. She was part of the KMEA All State String Orchestra and KSHSAA Division 1 State Violin Solo and Quartet. She hopes to pick up the violin again in college.

Her other awards of note are:

RC Kansas-Oklahoma Regional Youth Ambassador

Regeneron Biomedical Science Award (D1).

Saba plans to attend Columbia University and again thanked the Optimist for honoring her. She donated her $100 to Partners in Health in support of their efforts to reduce maternal moratality in Sierra Leone.

Sharon Fincham introduced the administrators, teachers, and parents of Bluemont and Flint Hills Christian Elementary Schools, then introduced the first student, Everly, a second grader at Flint Hills Christain School. Everly's teacher noted it is a joy to nominate Everly for the Youth of the Month program. She is a kind and caring friend to all her classmates. She looks for ways to be helpful, is quick to obey, a hard worker, and role model of expected behavior in the classroom. Her gentleness is a blessing to others. Her sweet calm personality brings joy and peace to our classroom. Her parents shared that she likes to play outside and is a singer, and sings in class when she can. She likes to stay and home and enjoys playing the trumpet. Her favorite animal is a bunny, but she also has a dog (she doesn't want the dog to know her favorite is the bunny). Her favorite color is yellow and she likes to read the Boxcar Children series of books. Congratulations to Everly for her Youth of the Month Award.

The second student honored was Andrew N., a 6th grader at Flint Hills Christian School. Andrew's teacher shared that it is with high regard that I nominate Andrew Norris for the Manhattan Optimist Youth of the Month award. Andrew has demonstrated extraordinary leadership ability, and continually grows in maturity. He is an exemplary role model for the other students in participation, walking in excellence while also providing help to other students without being asked whenever possible. He has made a considerable impact in the school community as well as within the classroom environment, all very characteristic of a leader within his group of peers. His contact as of late reminds me of a verse from Phillipians, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, 'Children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.' Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.” (Philippians 2:14-15 NIV)

Andrew has taken on a leadership role in 4-H and is interested in music and plays the piano and trombone in the band. He enjoys the outdoor activities such as hiking and hunting and has an interest in science and robotics. He also plays baseball, football and basketball. Congratulations to Andrew for his Youth of the Month Award.

The third student honored is Kezlee P., Bluemont Elementary School. Kezlee's teacher wrote Kezlee is a student who comes to school eager to learn, help others, and find ways to brighten someone's day. Kezlee is motivated, responsible, thoughtful, and empathetic. She is a loyal friend who is trusted by many and offers to lend a helping hand or listening ear when a friend needs her. She takes initiative to lead by example and is incredibly hard working. I am honored to nominate Kezlee for this special recognition and a million more times honored to be her teacher.

Kezley enjoys music, reading, and gymnastics and is doing gymnastics this summer. She has three cats and is her little sister's caretaker. Congratulations to Kezley for her Youth of the Month Award.

The fourth student to be honored is Dylan M., a 3rd grader at Bluemont Elementary, who was unable to attend. Dylan's teacher shared the following nomination. Dylan started off the year on an unusual start, as he was a reluctant student. There were a lot of supports in place to help Dylan and then one day it all clicked. Dylan now comes to school each day wanting to do his best. He is excited to learn and participate in discussions that help benefit his learning. He loves to help others when they are struggling with a concept, as he pretends to be the “teacher.” He is proud to show the adults in the room what he knows and doesn't even wait for assistance most days. He has made huge amounts of growth, and I am beyond proud of him! I love to see him work hard towards new goals every single day and this is a new goal that he can achieve! Congratulations to Dylan for his Youth of the Month Award.

President Greg McCune presented a District award Lisa Brummett for her leadership in the Optimist District Essay Contest.

On April 2nd Grow Green raised approximately $7,900 and approximately $3,500 will be matched for at total of $11,400 for the Optimist Foundation.

T-Ball registration is closed and we are up 11 more players from last year to 115 youngsters signed up.

The Optimist Social on May 6th is canceled due to the cancellation of the baseball game.

Jim Franke announced we will need help for another softball tournament Saturday, May 10 to park cars and maintain fields. If you would like to help sign up on Signup Genus or contact Jim Franke.

In addition, a work day will be held on May 8th from 10:00 to 1:00 to prepare the fields for play. At a later date, there will be a work day to prepare the field for T-Ball.

Gary Lloyd announced the Optimist Musical Instrument Drive will be June 2 through 7th. Advertisements will be out and several banks will serve as drop off points. Some posters will be out soon.

Help is needed on May 24th for the Bill Snyder Marathon to guide runners on the course. This not only helps the race be successful, but also earns money for the Optimist Club. Workers will be assigned an area and need to be on site at 6:30 am until around 10:30 am.

GUESTS: MHS Student of the month and her father, and Bluemont and Flint Hills Christian Elementary Schools students, teachers, and parents.

Meeting adjourned with the Optimist Creed.

MAY 7: MORNING MEETING: Program: Youth of the Month Presentations: “Ogden & Oliver Brown Elementary Schools”

MAY 14: NOON MEETING: Program: Rachel Veenstra – KSU Department of Agronomy: “Crop Judging National Champs – Again!”

MAY 21: MORNING MEETING: Danielle Dulin – Manhattan City Manager: “Manhattan City Management”

MAY 28: NOON MEETING: Phil Anderson & Tracey Anderson – Anderson- Knight Architects: “Manhattan Riverfront Project”