Erin Dickerson’s Prayer
Hildegard of Bingen wrote, “Let us keep greenness in our souls so that creation can still unfold in us no matter what the season. Keep the soil moist so growth can continue.”
Lord,
Help us to look at the world around us with the innocence and simplicity of children. Guide us so we may remain creative and continue to grow in the ways you intended. May we water the soil of those we encounter with words of encouragement, actions of support, and prayers of love and caring so they too may grow, and their creative spirits unfold.
Amen.
Announcements
- Mark Metzger announced that this summer’s Americana Festival will be its 25th anniversary. The event will honor John Kalaman and Robert O’Toole with the theme, “Duty. Honor. Sacrifice. Honoring our Community’s Heroes.”
- Beth Duncan announced that the 105th Optimist International Convention will be July 2-5, 2023, and be held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia.
- Beth Duncan announced that from 4/1/2023 to 6/23/2023 there will be a new member rewards program. In each OI district the top three members that add the most new members will receive $100. All of those winners will be entered into a drawing for free entry to the OI convention in July 2023.
- Debe Dockins announced that there will be a Kentucky Derby Party on May 6th, 2023. Signups are available online and the cost is $20. Charlie Tapp will be making mint juleps and betting will be handled by Karl Frydryk Bring food to share and enjoy the fellowship. Sign up on the website here.
- Erin Laurito announced that sixteen performers have signed up so far. The video entries are due April 6th, 2023. The free to attend, live Got Talent Contest will be held at Centerville High School on May 3rd, 2023.
- Tom Novak announced that AOF is heading into the final phase of the renewal process. For the next phase of renewals, Tom asked that you contact him if you are willing to help call subscribers that have not yet renewed. There is a script to read when you call.
- Gary Hansen announced that the Youth Recognition event will be held on June 13, 2023, at Yankee Trace to recognize all of the kids that won contests in the last year. He is looking for a couple more members for the committee.
- Bob Lawson announced that he needs volunteers for Family Adventure Day at the RecPlex that will be held on April 29, 2023. He needs volunteers that know how to fish and are willing to bait hooks and remove fish from hooks. Sign up on the website here.
- Jane Fiehrer, the co-chair with Deb Saunders of the Visual Arts Contest, announced that area art teachers have been contacted. Let parents and kids know about it. Kids can submit pictures of their art online. Submissions are due by April 15, 2023.
- Bill Stone announced that the next Great Ohio District conference will be held on April 28 and 29, 2023. Among other things, the district oratorical and essay contest will take place and the speaker will be Dr. Brian Ceccarelli, Founder of It’s Time 2!. His talks raise awareness of bullying, mental health issues and teen suicide.
- Bob Daley asked members on May 2, 2023, to vote yes for the levy increase for Parks and Rec of Centerville and Washington Township. His slide deck can be viewed here.
Youth Appreciation Awards
Beth Duncan introduced the coordinating principal of Centerville High School, John Carroll. Carroll introduced guidance counselors who presented three CHS students with the annual CNO Youth Appreciation Award.
From John Carroll
Good afternoon. First, I would like to thank the Club for providing this opportunity to present today and honor three of the most outstanding students from Centerville High School.
Since 1957, Optimist Clubs have recognized youth for their talents in all areas of our school program and their service to our community. Today, I have the honor of introducing three outstanding members of the CHS class of 2023 who have been nominated for this year’s Youth Appreciation Award. I honestly can’t wait for you to hear about these students as I know they embody the values of the Centerville Noon Optimist Club.
All three of these young adults have an extremely strong commitment to both their school and their community. They have excelled in rigorous academic programs while also demonstrating exceptional leadership, and community service.
I would like to make some introductions of guests joining us to celebrate. Please welcome our CHS administration and counseling staff.
- East Unit Principal – Jack Durnbaugh and counselor Josh Cabay
- South Unit Principal – Jen Riegel and Counselor Beth Buck
- West Unit Principal – Jeff Wolff and Counselor Samantha Stingley
- And please also welcome our awesome superintendent Mr. Jon Wesney
At this time, I would like to have our award winners introduce their guests today:
- From East Unit- Kenny Okocha
- From South Unit – Anna Weller
- From West Unit – Jackson Mires
I am a member of the Centerville Noon Optimist club. For students and their guests, I would like to share a little about our club. The motto of all Optimist Clubs is “Friend of Youth,” and this club strives to uphold that motto by providing numerous activities for the youth of our community. Examples of this support include the Halloween Haunted Trail, Fishing Derby, Oratorical Contests, Sponsorship of Youth Clubs like Jr. Optimist and Octagon Club and many other activities.
In keeping with this motto, each year the Centerville Noon Optimist Club also hosts this Youth Appreciation event to recognize young people who are outstanding citizens and actively involved in their schools, places of worship, and communities.
At this time, I am going to invite each counselor to the podium to introduce this year’s Youth Appreciation Award winners.
Kenny Okocha
Kenny Okocha was presented by CHS East Unit Guidance Counselor Josh Cabay.
Good afternoon, everyone. It is my honor and privilege to introduce Kenny Okocha! This is my first year at Centerville High school and I already know that Kenny is a leader and a great role model in our school and community. Not only have I been able to see that in the short time I have known him, but I have heard the same thing from teachers, staff, and his peers.
He is involved in numerous clubs and organizations – and I honestly have no idea how he has time for all of them. Just to name a few – Student Council, Science Olympiad, and NHS. He is the president of both the Psychology Club and the East Unit Assembly. As a student representative on the Curriculum Council, he helped bring a new AP class, AP African American Studies, to CHS because he saw a need in the school and took action. He plays Tenor Sax in the band and from what I have heard, he is really good at it! I don’t know if you know this, but you have to be a cool person to play tenor sax, let alone be good at it to be first chair.
Kenny is a kind, outgoing, and very welcoming young man. He has a knack for leadership and is service oriented. He is always willing to help a person in need and I got to witness that firsthand with his involvement in Hope Squad. He has also put quite a bit of effort into volunteering. He volunteered to help Spanish speaking students in the area with homework and help them practice English. Currently, he is working on getting a non-profit up and running to help disadvantaged students in the Dayton area receive school supplies and tutoring. Looking forward, Kenny has been accepted into Case Western and is still anxiously waiting to learn if he has been accepted into a couple Ivy League Schools. He plans to make one of his passions into a career by studying Psychology with the hope that his research will help us move forward as a society. Kenny, you have already accomplished so much and I can only imagine the impact you are going to make in this next chapter of your life.
Anna Weller
Anna Weller was presented by CHS South Unit Guidance Counselor Beth Buck.
Hardworking, personable, and thoughtful are just a few words to describe Centerville High School senior Anna Weller.
Academically, Anna has excelled in a college-preparatory curriculum. Anna was selected to participate in the Centerville High School Early Childhood Education program during her junior and senior year. In this program, Anna focuses on child development and pedagogy. Four hours a week she attends formal in-service training and six hours a week Anna works as a teacher’s aide in Centerville City Schools. Anna’s ECE teacher, Ms. Manning, reported that Anna has successfully worked in kindergarten, preschool, 1st, 2nd, and 4th grade classrooms. Ms. Manning also stated that “Anna does very well teaching small and large group lessons. She has outstanding problem-solving skills that enable her to help students who are struggling. She can create multiple pathways to understanding for a student […] and she has a unique perspective and applies this strength to her interaction with staff and students.”
Outside of the classroom, Anna is a dedicated athlete. She has played Centerville High School soccer all four years, track & field her 9th and 10th grade year, and swim & dive her 11th and 12th grade year. Anna is recognized as a Scholar Athlete her junior and senior year due to her commitment both on the field and in the classroom.
Anna demonstrates her selflessness through a variety of community service activities. She’s helped in her mom’s classroom at the Montessori school in Centerville. She’s volunteered at soccer camps and with TOP soccer. Additionally, she volunteers through her church and participates in activities through their youth group. Over the summer, Anna leads at Woodhaven as pool manager. Anna has also volunteered for the Noon Optimists with the annual tree lot sale and the 4th of July car show and other activities during this 4th of July event.
Anna is an active member in Centerville High School’s Lunch Buddies, a program where she visits PVS during her lunch hour 2 times a month to help socialize with 4-5 students. Anna has also been a member of the National Honor Society both her junior and senior due to her exceptional grade point average and numerous volunteer experiences.
As a senior, Anna continues to balance her academics, athletics, and service for others with grace and a positive attitude. Anna is currently challenging herself in college level courses through Sinclair Community College and excelling in them.
Her post high school plans include attending The University of Dayton for Early Childhood Education and possibly a certification to help students with dyslexia or additional needs. Anna is exactly the type of leader we need in our classrooms. Anna is hardworking, motivated, and selfless in helping others.
Please join me in honoring Anna Weller for this Youth Appreciation Award!
Jackson Mires
Jackson Mires was presented by CHS West Unit Guidance Counselor Samantha Stingley. Mrs. Stingley presented the letter that she sent to Congressman Turner to get him to appoint Jackson Mires to the United States Military Academy.
Dear Congressman Turner:
As part of your position, I am sure that you receive hundreds of letters of recommendation every year for young men and women seeking your nomination. In fact, as a guidance counselor at Centerville High School, I have written many myself. However, I think so highly of this particular young man that I would place this letter at the top of my stack. Simply put, if I could only recommend one of my students from the last decade, it would be – without a doubt — Jackson Mires. He is more than deserving of your consideration for an appointment to a United States Military Academy.
As with most students about whom you read, Jackson has done well in college-preparatory coursework throughout his high school career. He is a member of the National Honor Society and has spent time tutoring students on a regular basis. Jackson works hard for his grades, and he does it in the midst of many extra-curricular and co-curricular commitments, which to me, is much more impressive and commendable than students who devote full evenings and complete summers to coursework and test preparation. While a great student, Jackson’s service and character far outweigh his academic accomplishments.
As a leader, Jackson is an integral member of our high school. Not only is he a captain for the CHS football team, but he is a recognizable role model for young boys throughout the school district. He works at youth football camps and he visits many of our eight primary buildings, sometimes to read to a class and sometimes to mentor at-risk students as part of our CARE team. He has also visited each of our three middle schools and spoke to the students about remaining drug, alcohol, and vape free as a leader of our BOLD program. All this aside, what speaks most to Jackson’s reputation among his peers and our staff is that he was nominated to be on Hope Squad. After a handful of student suicides in the last few years, our district launched this program. Any of our nearly 2,800 students could be nominated as a person who students felt safe speaking to if they were struggling with a personal issue or knew of someone who was. Jackson was one of about 50 students selected through this anonymous process. Clearly, this is evidence of consistently being an approachable, kind, and trustworthy peer to a wide demographic of students, and I couldn’t imagine a better endorsement than that.
Students at CHS look to Jackson as a role model and a person to emulate while our staff respects him and praises his ability to serve from the front. Personally, I have continually been impressed by Jackson’s initiative to act – he sees a problem, formulates a plan of action, and then literally gets to work. He is responsible, mature, and honorable – all the qualities I think of when I think of the students whom we have sent to West Point, Colorado Springs, and Annapolis over the years.
In sum, I’ve had the unique privilege of watching Jackson grow to be an impeccably well-mannered young man. While most of our students will eventually become mature, responsible, and thoughtful citizens, adolescent years are notorious for their growing pains. I am thoroughly convinced that Jackson has already evolved well ahead of his peers. True, he’s a funny, personable, outgoing teenager, but he also possesses a maturity, integrity, and selflessness that is so rare for his age. I would not hesitate to trust him with my children – whether it be to care for them or protect them from mortal danger. He is just that outstanding of an individual.
It is with my utmost trust and belief in his future as a military leader and as a man of integrity that I recommended Jackson Mires for an academy appointment.
John Carroll’s Closing Thoughts
In closing, I would just like to say that it is a joy to work with all the students at CHS. The three students honored today have set themselves apart during their time at CHS. I am sure you will all agree that their futures are very bright! Might I insert a gratuitous plug and state that you would all make outstanding Optimist members in the future! If your journey returns you to the area…keep the Centerville Noon Optimists in mind!
I want the three of you to know that, when I asked counselors who we should recognize, your names were offered without hesitation! I hope you accept that as a huge acknowledgement to who you are and what you have meant to our school and community. Congratulations and thank you!
2022-2023 Officers and Board of Directors Nominations for CNO
Jean Pummill, CNO Secretary, reported that the nomination committee of the Centerville Noon Optimist Club, comprised of past presidents, the current president and incoming president have nominated the following members for the Optimist Year 2023-2024:
- President Elect: Paul Boeckman
- Vice Presidents: Katie Calloway and Evelyn Griffin
- Board of Directors for 2-year terms: Mike Creech, Dennis Dockins, Jim Mogan, Steve Rau, Deb Saunders
- Board Members with 1 year left to serve: Mitch Bodenmiller, Andy Dickerson, Rachel Goetz, Art Hung, Carol Smerz
- Past president representative: Nancy Lehren
- Beth Duncan will serve as the Immediate Past President
- The incoming president chooses the Treasurer and Secretary. Roland Rapp has been chosen for Treasurer and Jean Pummill for Secretary. They are both currently serving in those positions.
We will hear from each of the nominated board members and officers over the next 3 to 4 weeks.
Jim Mogan, Nominated for Board Member
Jim has been a member of CNO since 10/8/2016.
Jim spoke:
After joining, I started working on the tree lot and met Jerry Stahley and Roy Barclay. Now I work a lot with Avenue of Flags. I’m honored to be elected to the board.
Dennis Dockins, Nominated for Board Member
Dennis has been a member of CNO since 10/16/2021.
Dennis spoke:
I’m humbled to be considered and I will do what I can to further the work we do with youth.
Welcome Guests
| Guest | Guest Of |
| Andrea Bublitz | Diane Arehart |
| Anna Weller | Student |
| Bob Daley | Debe Dockins |
| Chris Muth | Bill Stone |
| Jack Durnbaugh | Principal |
| Josh Cabay | Counselor |
| Kenny Okocha | Student |
| Mark Metzger | Debe Dockins |
| Michelle Marek | MIke Bevis |
| Jackson Mires | Student |
| Anna Weller | Student |
| Jen Riegel | Principal |
| Beth Buck | Counselor |
| Samantha Stingley | Counselor |
| Jeff Wolff | Principal |
| Lyla Ward | Carol Smerz |
New Member Readings and Inductions
| Name | Sponsor | 1st 2nd 3rd Reading or Induction |
| Andrea Bublitz | Diane Arehart | 1st Reading |
| Mark Metzger | Debe Dockins | 1st Reading |
| Sharon Baker | Beth Duncan | 2nd Reading |
| Karen Charnesky | Suzanne Werts | 2nd Reading |
| Sam Routsong | Scott Langer | 3rd Reading |
| Mike Thonnerieux | Gary Smiga | Induction |
| Lyla Ward | Carol Smerz | 1st Reading |
Happy Bucks
No time for Happy Bucks this week.
Sergeants at Arms
No time for Sergeants this week.
Membership Anniversaries
| Member | Joined | Years |
| Ira Thomsen | April 5, 1991 | 32 |
| Molly Petsch | April 6, 2004 | 19 |
| Dan Samiec | April 6, 2010 | 13 |
Birthdays
| Roland Rapp | April 5 |
| Jim Rumford | April 5 |
| Ira Thomsen | April 5 |
| Andy Harmon | April 6 |
| Mike Thonnerieux | April 6 |
| Bob Clements | April 7 |
| McKenzie Morin | April 7 |
| Erin Belangia-Sanchez | April 9 |
| Kelly Davis | April 9 |
CNO Donations – 2013 through February 2023
Click here to see a summary of donations the club has made since 2013
Thank You Notes Received
CLICK HERE to see the Thank You Notes we received this week.