Officer Installation for 2025-2026 and Awards Program for 2024-2025
Tonight, we had a wonderful evening of feast and fellowship at Benham’s Grove, the new event center in Centerville. This was a great night to celebrate the past year and to look forward to the next 2025-2026 Optimist year. This is the end of the Centerville Noon Optimist Presidential year for Paul Boeckman.
We welcomed Sarah Umbreit as the 58th President of CNO!
New Board members and Vice Presidents were installed tonight.
Thank you to our Social Committee team of Beth Duncan, Sue Jessee, Connie Risch, and Deb Saunders. We started with drinks and appetizers, followed by a buffet. Everything was great.
Just like a lunch meeting, we started with an Invocation by Erin Dickerson and then proudly recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Thanks to Gary Smiga, the host for the evening. He did a fantastic job and kept us entertained and on time.
For being president, Paul Boeckman received from CNO his Past President pin, a Lifetime OI Membership and pin, and a plaque with a gavel recognizing his year as CNO President.
A/V and Pictures of the Event
Thank you, Greg Griffin, for assembling the slide deck, setting up the AV and running the slides for the evening.
Thank you, Evelyn Griffin, for taking all the great pictures from tonight’s event!
Links to the Slide Deck, Photographs and Program
Gary Smiga Opened the Night’s Events
From Gary Smiga:
Good evening, and welcome to the Noon Optimist Club of Centerville’s Installation Banquet.
Before we get started, I would like to recognize a couple of special guests, our 2025-26 Optimist International President Tom Kendo and Optimist International Foundation Board of Director and First Lady Jennifer Kendo.
Each one of our meetings begins and ends with the ringing of this bell. It is the president’s responsibility to secure the bell and gavel for the entire meeting.
Two years ago, I remarked that Beth Duncan’s record of losing the bell and gavel would stand the test of time. Well, I believe that Paul Boeckman heard that, accepted the challenge and proceeded to lose the bell and gavel close to 100% of the time. Armed with a roll of one-dollar bills, with a smile he donated his $2 each week to the club. The Optimist International Foundation thanks you for all the dollars you contributed.
Tonight, we celebrate the past achievements of the 24-25 Optimist Year under the leadership of Paul Boeckman and those that will follow in the 25-26 Optimist Year under the leadership of Sarah Umbeit.
Erin Dickerson’s Invocation Prayer and In Memoriam
From Erin Dickerson:
“A true friend is never truly gone. Their spirit lives on in the memories and the love they left behind.” — Unknown
As we bring our Optimist year to a close, we celebrate the addition of new members and friends as we also mourn the loss of ten of our brothers and sisters in optimism. As their names are read, we will pause for a moment of silence in their memory.
- Roy Barclay
- Greg Crabtree
- Dennis Dockins
- David Duncombe
- Gary Hansen
- John Horner
- Shirley Kuhn
- Gay Miller
- Dave Mitchell
- Ruth Young
We are eternally grateful for their contributions to the Centerville Noon Optimists, their desire to make the world a better place for the children and youth in our community, and for the love and friendship shared between us.
Lord our God,
Tonight, we give thanks for and celebrate our leaders of this past season. We are grateful for their leadership and dedication to our club. You have blessed us with their varied gifts and talents, and we ask that you show them the same love and blessings they have shown us and those we serve.
We ask for your blessings upon this new season and its new leadership. Help to steer them and us as we continue in our mission to serve the children and youth in our community and strive to make the world a better place, one optimistic act at a time.
Amen.
Officer Installation and Oath
Gary Smiga introduced Tom Kendo, the new Optimist International President as of October 1, 2025, from the Dorwood Optimist Club, who led the installation of our 2025–2026 officers.
Kendo praised the Centerville Noon Optimist Club as one of the largest and strongest clubs in the organization, known not just for its size but for its service to youth and commitment to the community. He encouraged members to keep inviting new people to meetings, fundraisers, and events, reminding everyone that personal invitations are the best way to grow membership and sustain the mission.
He also challenged the club to consider forming a new Optimist Club, perhaps one for young adults like the recently launched group in Dorwood. Growth, he said, is essential for keeping Optimist International vibrant and effective.
This year’s theme, “Be the Change,” was at the heart of his message. Kendo urged members to lead by example, saying that when we each strive to be the change we want to see, others will follow and together we can build a stronger future for our youth.
He closed by thanking everyone for their dedication and calling the Centerville Noon Optimist Club “a shining star” that continues to inspire Optimists across the country.
The Oath:
I hereby solemnly promise on my honor as an Optimist that I will carry out the duties of the office to which I have been elected to the best of my ability, in loyalty to my Club, and in harmony with the Bylaws of my Club and Optimist International. So help me God.
Officers of CNO 2025-2026
- President, Sarah Umbreit
- Vice President, Jane Fiehrer
- Vice President, Andy Higgins
- Secretary, Jean Pummill
- Treasurer, Roland Rapp
- President-Elect, Greg Wasmund
- Immediate Past President, Paul Boeckman
- Past President’s Representative, Greg Griffin
Newly Elected to the Board of Directors with a Two-Year Term, 2025-2027
- Cameron Langer
- Stephanie Llacuna
- Kristin Passidomo
- Sam Pfabe
- Don Stafford
Continuing Board of Directors with One Year Left, 2025-2026
- Andy Higgins
- Greg Hoffbauer
- Erin Laurito
- Bob Myers
- Paul Stull
Gary Smiga Continues
From Gary Smiga:
Sarah Umbreit is one of the most Optimistic people I know, but she is also the biggest Disney fan that I know. I have called on some of my Disney Friends and their Movies to help you get to know her better.
- Sarah is kind and thoughtful, living by Bambi’s words, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”
- Sarah is visionary and forward thinking, following The Lion King’s advice, “It is important to always look where you are headed rather than where you have been.”
- Sarah is resilient and resourceful, following Pocahontas’s advice, “Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one.”
- Sarah is tough as described by the Aristocats, “Ladies do not start fights, but they can finish them.”
Please welcome our incoming 2025-26 President Sarah Umbreit.
President Sarah Umbreit Spoke
The following is from Sarah Umbreit:
Here we are, another Optimist year. A new president, new officers, and a new board. Another chance to remain the largest club in the world and continue making a difference for the youth in our community. Thank you all for being here tonight to celebrate the start of the 2025–2026 Optimist year for the Centerville Noon Optimist Club.
What a great evening. I know many of you came to see this beautiful venue, and isn’t it amazing? Thank you to our Social Committee team of Beth Duncan, Sue Jessee, Connie Risch, and Deb Saunders. Thank you to Connie Risch who will be the chair of the Social Committee starting October 1, 2025. I appreciate you working with Benham’s Grove to bring us back to Centerville and for adding touches of my personality, especially the Mickey Mouse details.
Thanks also to our servers from Centerville High School’s National Honor Society, our bartenders Carl and Julie, and the staff at Benham’s Grove for making tonight special.
A few others deserve special thanks: Gary Smiga for serving as emcee, Erin Dickerson for the prayer, Evelyn Griffin for photography, and Greg Griffin for handling the technical side. I truly appreciate each of you.
I also want to thank my family. Jeff, my husband, has always been by my side saying, “It will be great,” “You’ll be fine,” and “Whatever you want to do, honey.” He’s usually right, so I believe this year will be great too. Plus, he’ll be my presidential valet, attending, driving, lifting, reasoning, and listening. Thank you, Jeff, the Mickey to my Minnie.
To our sons, Alex and Nathan, thank you for being here tonight. Alex works for the Centerville Washington Park District and Nathan is finishing his degree at Wright State in Accounting, so if anyone has job leads, please see me after the meeting. I’m proud of both of you.
I’m also grateful to my mother-in-law, Kathy Umbreit, for her support, and to Mike and Sue Brubaker for always encouraging Jeff and me and introducing us to this great club.
We are honored tonight to have Thomas and Jennifer Kendo from Optimist International. Tom becomes International President at midnight, and Jennifer serves on the Foundation Board. Thank you both for installing our new officers before heading to St. Louis to begin your duties.
Last year, during Paul Boeckman’s installation, Tom Kendo hugged me and said, “Sarah Umbreit, we’ll be watching you for great things.” I remember thinking, “Oh boy, no pressure!” After following Paul this past year, I can say he set the bar high. Paul, thank you for being kind, patient, and thorough. I’ll do my best to follow your example and to support our president-elect, Greg Wasmund.
This club continues to thrive because of all of you. Our fundraisers, scholarships, and programs only happen because you keep showing up and helping. If you’re new and not sure where to start, reach out to me. I’ll meet you at events, introduce you around, and help you sign up. For our longtime members, please welcome new faces. Offer a seat, share a story, and make them feel part of the team. Together, we can keep Centerville Noon Optimist strong.
Before I close, you know I have to mention Disney. This last picture is of me and Mickey Mouse. I even made the newly installed officers wear mouse ears tonight. Sorry, but you voted for me, so this is your 2025–2026 Mickey Mouse operation! Jeff and I usually make three or four Disney trips a year, and I plan to bring that same joy and optimism into my presidency. If I seem cranky on a Tuesday, it probably means I just need a trip to Disney and a hug from Mickey.
Thank you all for coming tonight and for supporting me and our new leadership team. I’m honored to serve as your Centerville Noon Optimist President as we continue to make an impact for the youth in our community and build on the greatness of this club.
President Paul Boeckman Announces Awards
From Gary Smiga:
This past Optimist year has been fun and filled with many accomplishments. At each one of his meetings, Paul shared information about how the impact our service and donations improved the lives of hundreds and hundreds of the youth in our community, he provided committee chairs the opportunity to keep our club members informed and involved, and most of all he did it with a smile and lots of good humor.
Please join me with a warm welcome for our 2024-25 President Paul Boeckman.
Paul Boeckman’s Remarks
The following is from Paul Boeckman:
What a fun and impactful year we shared together. Our fundraisers this year netted over $227,000 while we invested $333,000 in our youth programs and donations. Sounds like Roland is destined for a career in Washington! We held over 25 youth programs directly impacting 4000+ kids in our community. We enjoyed many Adult Social activities and built deeper friendships and a stronger club because of that. We continue to be a leader in our community. All of this reinforces why we are the biggest and best Optimist Club in the world.
This coming year is going to be great! President Sarah has put together a wonderful leadership team and with her incredible organizational skills will lead us to even more success. I can’t even spell organization and I think Sarah invented it!!
I have many folks to thank for their support this past year. First and foremost is my family. I often disappeared into my home office for prolonged periods of time working on Optimist stuff and I am most grateful for their patience and support. Now I can focus on Ginny’s Honey-Do list that has been neglected for a while. I can’t wait…
I’d also like to thank my VP’s and the entire Board of Directors which made this year so successful. They are the best!
I’d especially like to thank Roland Rapp and Jean Pummill for their years of experience, leadership, dedication and support in their roles as Treasurer and Secretary.
And thank you to all of my fellow members for your encouragement, patience, recommendations and commitment to making our club strong. It has been tremendous!
CNO Rookie of the Year for 2024-2025, Tony Danial
The CNO president at the end of their term selects the Rookie of the Year.
The following is from Paul Boeckman:
This year’s recipient has been involved in Tri-Star Soccer, the Americana 5K, the Americana Booth, the Fishing Derby, Kids Day in the Park, the Golf Outing, the Tree Lot and Avenue of Flags plus he is the double secret assistant to his wife who handles the CNO telephone line. I’d like to present this year’s award to Mr. Tony Danial!
Optimist of the Year
The Optimist of the Year Award is given once a year during the Installation dinner. The reasons for being Optimist of the Year include the nominee’s leadership, committee participation, attendance at club activities, new member recruitment, and any other traits that contribute to our club’s success during the current Optimist Year.
One or two members are chosen during an annual meeting of past and current Optimist of the Year recipients. Those in attendance may nominate someone for consideration and after all nominations are made, the nominators provide a list of reasons why their nominee should be the Optimist of the Year. After a couple of rounds of votes, the winner or winners emerge.
For 2024-2025 there were two recipients.
Optimist of the Year 2024-2025, Jeff Umbreit
Gary Smiga introduced the 2023–2024 Optimist of the Year, Mike Cordonnier, who came to the microphone in full comedic character as Goober T. Calhoon. With a country drawl and plenty of good-natured humor, he said he was there to present “somethin’ called the Optimist of the Year Award.”
“If you have worked every night of every Haunted Trail and them dear ladies in the A-Frame cut you off from the donut balls, you might be an Optimist of the Year.”
“If you’ve ever done your Avenue of Flags route driving a Trans Am without the T-tops while wearing a Red Neck, White Trash, Blue Collar T-shirt, you might be an Optimist of the Year.”
“If you’ve worked the Christmas Tree Lot every year and said, I wonder if there’s any eight-point bucks in this forest, you might be an Optimist of the Year.”
“If you’ve helped with Safety on Wheels, the Fishing Derby, the Big Backyard Party, and Kids Day in the Park to work off those community service hours for trespassing at the Rod and Reel Club, you might be an Optimist of the Year.”
“If you think serving on the Finance Committee will boost your FarmersOnly.com rating, you might be an Optimist of the Year.”
Finally, Goober wrapped it up by saying, “If you’ve ever co-chaired the Americana 5K race with your darlin’ doll face of a wife and not gotten beat up or butt-chewed, you must be the Optimist of the Year.”
He then revealed that the 2024–2025 Optimist of the Year was Jeff Umbreit.
Optimist of the Year 2024-2025, Carol Smerz
We knew ahead of time that Carol Smerz would not be able to attend the Installation Dinner. At the September 23, 2025, meeting, Carol was recognized as one of this year’s Optimists of the Year. Mike Cordonnier gave a humorous introduction for Carol during that meeting. You can read about it here.
Plaque for the Optimist of the Year
The Optimist of the Year received a beautiful plaque commemorating the recognition of their service to the community and CNO.
The plaque says:
THE THOMAS P. FRAZIER OPTIMIST OF THE YEAR AWARDED TO
JEFF UMBREIT
FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY
CENTERVILLE NOON OPTIMIST CLUB 2024 – 2025
Special Presentation for Paul Boeckman
Mike Bevis led a lighthearted tribute to outgoing president Paul Boeckman. As part of the fun, Paul was presented with a custom “Where’s Waldo” puzzle along with Waldo’s trademark hat and glasses. The playful gift celebrated Paul’s good-natured personality and the laughter he brought to his year as President.
Passing of the Gavel
From Gary Smiga:
Next, we have the long-standing tradition of the Passing of the Gavel. The gavel will travel from Gary Anderson, the most senior serving Past President to Paul Boeckman, the least senior serving President, and then to our incoming President Sarah Umbreit.
For a complete list of Past Presidents, refer to your Club Handbook.
Past CNO presidents at tonight’s celebration passing the gavel were:
- Gary Anderson, 1982-83
- Charlie Tapp, 1983-84
- Jeff Busch, 1984-85
- Don Kelley, 1987-88
- Gary Smiga, 1989-90
- Gail Aiken (for Gary Aiken), 1990-91
- Karl Frydryk, 1993-94
- Jerry Stahley, 2002-03
- Stan Fronzaglia, 2004-05
- Mike Wall, 2005-06
- Tom Novak, 2007-08
- Nancy Lehren, 2008-09
- Mike Bevis, 2009-10
- Kelly Stone, 2011-12
- Bob Burkman, 2013-14
- Greg Griffin, 2019-20
- Debe Dockins, 2020-21
- Nancy Hansen (for Gary Hansen), 2021-22
- Beth Duncan, 2022-2023
- Joan Cordonnier, 2023-24
- Paul Boeckman, 2024-25
- Sarah Umbreit, 2025-26
Closing Remarks from Host Gary Smiga
From Gary Smiga:
We had a great night hearing about all the remarkable things we have accomplished. These things would not have been possible without each one of you. Thank you again for your time and commitment that collectively have allowed us to have influence on the lives of so many young people.
As we move forward as Optimists into a new year, I leave you with 3 Disney quotes to end the evening.
- “Today is a good day to try.” Quasimodo, The Hunchback of Notre Dame
- “Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved.” Pooh Bear, Winnie the Pooh
- “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you see, and smarter than you think.” Christpher Robin, Winnie the Pooh
Optimist Creed
From Gary Smiga:
We end of each our meetings with the reading of the Optimist Creed written by Christian D. Larson as a poem in 1912 and formally adopted by Optimist International in 1922.
At this time, I would like to invite Paul Stull, our most senior Optimist member of 55 years, to lead us in the Optimist Creed.
Please stand and join me in the Optimist Creed!