Erin Dickerson’s Prayer
Holy Lord,
Life is full of juxtapositions. Throughout our lives we face moments of fear or excitement, disappointment or hope, struggle or ease, sorrow or joy. We lose faith in ourselves. We regain faith in humanity. In all the seasons of our lives, help us to retain our optimism and remember we are ALL beloved children of God. We grow. We change. We find purpose and meaning. And hopefully become the people you yearn for us to be.
Amen.
President-Elect Sarah Umbreit Leads the Meeting
Sarah Umbreit led today’s meeting while President Paul Boeckman was playing hooky and staying warm in Las Vegas.
Sarah lost the Bell to Cameron Langer. Paul promised in his weekly newsletter yesterday that Sarah would not lose the bell and gavel. Sarah said that Paul did not clear this idea with her and that his promise was empty.
Community Service Award – Tracie Ferrara
Craig and Dana Dring introduced Tracie Ferrara, winner of the 2024 Developmental Disabilities Hall of Fame Award for Community Service. We watched a video that highlighted Tracie’s dedication, including her volunteer work at the Therapeutic Riding Institute, the Miamisburg Food Pantry, and the Salvation Army. She’s also active in the Top Optimist Club, supporting youth programs and community fundraisers. Tracie’s passion for serving others inspires everyone around her.
Announcements
Upcoming Social Event: Wine & Bourbon Tasting
Beth Duncan, speaking on behalf of the Social Committee, announced that Patrick and Diane Arehart will host a Wine & Bourbon Tasting at their home on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Online signups will start soon via the Member Calendar.
Essay Contest
Kristin Marks announced that the essay contest deadline is approaching, with essays due in about a week. This year’s theme is “How Optimism Has Paved My Way to Success.” The contest is open to middle and high school students, with cash prizes available. Encourage any eligible writers to participate!
Enclave Club Update
Kelly Stone shared an update about the Enclave Club at the senior center in Springboro. The club enjoys hands-on and creative activities that allow them to give back to their community.
Recently, members decorated cookies with icing and sprinkles and presented them to the Enclave staff as a heartfelt thank-you for their dedication and hard work.
Their activities highlight the joy of creating and the importance of showing gratitude. Pictures from this meaningful event are available in the slide deck at the bottom of the article!
Divas Day Out Fundraiser at Kettering Noon Optimist Club
Jean Pummill announced that the Kettering Noon Optimist Club will host its annual “Divas Day Out” fundraiser on Saturday, February 22, 2025, 10 AM – 1 PM. The event will feature a brunch including mimosas, a variety of vendors, and much more. Tickets are $30 each.
Youth Mental Health Initiative – Wait Until Eighth
Andy Higgins announced that the Youth Mental Health Initiative will host a breakfast for teachers at various schools. The breakfast meetings are to find ideas to encourage parents to “Wait Until Eighth”, meaning 8th grade, before giving their children smart phones. Let Andy know if you would like to be involved with the breakfasts, have ideas or want to join the committee.
Happy Birthday Gary Smiga
Bob Duffy led us in singing Happy Birthday to Gary Smiga. Scott Langer called Gary on the phone and put him on speakerphone. I hope both of their phones are still working after hearing our singing. Have a great year, Gary!
Sinclair’s Centerville Campus Center – Latonia Peak-Brown
Chris McAlpine introduced Latonia Peak-Brown, the Director of Sinclair College’s Centerville Campus located at 5800 Clyo Rd, which opened in 2019. Latonia has had a remarkable career, having worked at Sinclair College for 24 years, including four years at the Centerville Campus. She has lived abroad in Thailand and Turkey and is a proud mother of two children: one attending Ohio State University and the other at Georgetown, majoring in Foreign Service.
Sinclair College was established in 1887 by David A. Sinclair, whose motto, “Find the need and endeavor to meet it,” continues to guide the institution today. This year marks its 137th anniversary. Latonia Peak-Brown’s presentation focused on the college’s history, its local impact, and exciting developments.
Sinclair’s Impact in Centerville (2024)
- Approximately 1,400 Centerville residents are enrolled at one of Sinclair’s three campuses: Centerville, Dayton, and Mason
- In 2024, 233 Centerville residents graduated with degrees or certificates
- Centerville residents saved $5.4 million in tuition costs and received $2.4 million in scholarships and grants
- Top programs for Centerville students include Allied Health, Management and Marketing, Liberal Arts, and Computer Science and Information Technology
- Sinclair Centerville’s enrollment has grown by 40% due to increased interest in biology, anatomy, and physiology courses
- Over 30,000 students are enrolled across all Sinclair locations, with 8% growth at the Dayton campus
Strategic Priorities
The college focuses on alignment, growth, and equity as its strategic priorities.
Centerville Campus Overview
- Size and Location: A 100,000 square foot building situated on 40 acres near Miami Valley South
- Facilities: Two gymnasiums, an auditorium with 1,500 seats, eight labs (including biology, chemistry, and cyber defense), eight general classrooms, and three fishing ponds (catch and release, no license required)
- Student Resources: Lounge areas, Amazon package pickup, and ample parking
- Enrollment has steadily grown since the campus opened in 2019, despite challenges from the pandemic
Academic Programs
Centerville Campus offers programs in key areas:
- Associate Degrees: Six degrees, including Computer Science and Elementary Education
- Certificates: Sixteen certificates, including Clinical Phlebotomy, EKG, First Aid, CPR, and Cybersecurity
- General Education: Over 100 courses each semester in subjects like Biology, Business, and Psychology
- Real Estate Certificates: Two programs focused on Ohio’s real estate industry
Workforce Development and Lifelong Learning
- Training Programs: Leadership development, 5G fiber optic installation, and project management
- Community Classes: Tai Chi, ballroom dancing, and painting classes for $25
- Facilities for Employers: Workforce training and custom programs to meet employer needs
Student Services
The Centerville Campus is a full-service center, providing:
- Academic advising, financial aid assistance, and textbook pickup
- Tutoring and registration support for students from all Sinclair locations
- Rental spaces for community conferences, concerts, and events
Notable Events and Partnerships
- Events: Annual holiday concerts, faculty conferences, and public gatherings in the auditorium
- New Developments: A phlebotomy lab and pharmacy tech lab recently opened. A student recreation center and art gallery, in partnership with Artsy Minds, are set to open in 2025
- Sinclair’s auditorium and state-of-the-art facilities are available for rent to the community
- Recognized as a “Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense”
Closing Thoughts
Latonia Peak-Brown’s presentation highlighted Sinclair College’s dedication to serving the Centerville community through education, innovation, and opportunity. The campus continues to grow and evolve, supporting students and residents alike.
Thank you, Latonia Peak-Brown, for sharing your insights and for leading Sinclair’s mission in Centerville.
For more details, the presentation slides are available here.
President Paul’s Quote of the Week
“Do not let making a living prevent you from making a life.” – John Wooden
Welcome Guests
| Guest | Guest Of |
| Kathy Perno | Melanie Asbell |
| Latonia Peak-Brown | Speaker |
| Nancy Ferrara | Member TOP Optimist Club |
| Tracie Ferrara | Member TOP Optimist Club |
| Wes Feldmeyer | Jane Fiehrer |
| Theresa Wade | Byron Wade |
New Member Readings and Inductions
| Name | Sponsor | 1st 2nd 3rd Reading or Induction |
| Erin Giffin | Ken Peacock | 3rd Reading |
| Brandon Ward | Donna Huss | Induction |
Happy Bucks
| Member | Reason |
| Bill Stone | He has successfully recovered from surgery. He is so thankful for the outpouring of support and for the sunshine committee gifts. |
| Bob Burkman | Celebrated his 62nd wedding anniversary with Carol on December 29, 2024. |
| Scott Langer | Happy that The Ohio State Football team won the College Football Playoffs last night by beating Notre Dame. |
| Karl Frydryk | $5 for the son of his friend and former CNO member Steve Fentemaer who survived being shot down in the ocean while serving in the US military. |
| Tom Novak | He’s happy about the Will Cale Scholarship, which provides opportunities for students at Sinclair and pairs them with Optimist mentors to support their success. |
Sergeants at Arms
| Member | Infraction |
| Sarah Umbreit | She lost the Bell. |
| Gary and Judy DeMarco | Too long since they were last at a meeting. Welcome back! |
| Larry Lynde | No one knows why Larry was fined. Paul Stull started telling a story and Larry interrupted him to ask if he could just pay the fine and not hear the rest of the story. Paul chuckled and said yes. |
| Everyone who did not wear their Optimist pin today. | You are supposed to wear your Optimist pin to meetings! This is not enforced very often. |
Club Membership Anniversaries
| Member | Joined | Years |
| Mike Yoder | January 22, 2014 | 11 |
| Jeff Kujawa | January 22, 2015 | 10 |
| John Thompson | January 23, 2018 | 7 |
| Kristen Marks | January 23, 2020 | 5 |
| Debbie Parks | January 23, 2020 | 5 |
| Julie Shisler | January 23, 2020 | 5 |
| Greg Wasmund | January 25, 2007 | 18 |
| Chris McAlpine | January 27, 2009 | 16 |
| Glen Brendel | January 27, 2023 | 2 |
| Cadance Lowell | January 27, 2023 | 2 |
| Kathy Rearick | January 27, 2023 | 2 |
| Ron Rearick | January 27, 2023 | 2 |
Birthdays
| Gary Smiga | January 21 |
| Mark Metzger | January 22 |
| Connie Risch | January 22 |
| Dr. Dan Passidomo | January 26 |
| Lyla Ward | January 26 |
CNO Donations – Since 2013
Click here to see a summary of donations the club has made since 2013
Thank You Notes Received
No Thank You Notes received this week
Links to PowerPoint and Pictures
CLICK HERE to see the PowerPoint Slides from this week’s meeting