Bob Burkman’s Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gift of a new day and the promise of Your unfailing love. In moments of doubt, fill our hearts with hope. When challenges arise, help us see them as opportunities for growth. Let our faith in You be stronger than our fears, and may we walk forward with confidence, knowing that Your plans for us are good.
As Your Word says in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Lord, help us to trust in Your perfect timing and to remain steadfast in the assurance that You are always working for our good. May we reflect Your light and share Optimism with those around us.
In Your name, we pray.
Amen.
Sarah Umbreit Officiates Today’s Meeting
Thank you, Sarah Umbreit, for taking such good care of us while Paul Boeckman was away. Your year as president is going to be great. Paul Boeckman will be back next week to run our meetings.
Announcements
Photography Contest 2025
Patrick Arehart, co-chair of the Photography Contest with Roberta Taylor, announced that the annual photography contest is now open. Let students in High School know about the contest. Photographs must be submitted online by March 31, 2025. There will be three winners and they will have a show at the library. There are cash prizes of $500, $250, and $100. Here is the link to the contest.
Visual Arts Contest 2025
Jane Fiehrer, co-chair of the Visual Arts Contest with Rachel Goetz, announced that the annual Visual Arts contest is now open. Paintings or drawings must be submitted online by February 22, 2025. Here is the link to the contest.
Oratorical Contest 2025
Jessica Wagner, co-chair of the Oratorical Contest with Ron Thompson, announced that they need judges. Let them know if you would like to be a judge for the Oratorical Contest. The only time commitment is during the meeting.
Will Cale Scholarship Mentors Are Needed
Joan Cordonnier is looking for mentors to support nine Will Cale Scholarship recipients this year. They are great kids who need a little extra help. If you have questions before you commit, reach out to Joan, who will explain the mentoring process. Without more volunteers, some students may have to be turned away.
Centerville’s Got Talent Contest 2025
Erin Laurito, co-chair of the Centerville Got Talent competition, announced that students can create videos of the performances now and submit them by the end of March. The top ten acts will be invited to perform live in early May at CHS. Here is the link to the contest.
Happy Birthday Gary Hansen
Even though the birthday boy himself couldn’t make it to today’s meeting we tracked him down by phone for our auditory assault. Bob Duffy, fearless leader of our musical hullabaloo, conducted the group in a truly unforgettable version of “Happy Birthday.” Think of it as performance art—but with fewer harmonies and more wincing.
Rumor has it Gary’s eardrums will eventually recover, and we’re pretty sure he was touched by our enthusiasm (if not by our pitch). Here’s wishing you a year full of joy, Gary,
Introducing Centerville High School Athletic Director, Mr. Brandon Hon
Chris McAlpine introduced Brandon Hon, the new Athletic Director at Centerville High School. As a Cincinnati native and former University of Cincinnati track standout, Mr. Hon brings a wealth of experience and an inspiring vision for CHS student-athletes.
Hometown & Education
Born and raised in Cincinnati, Mr. Hon attended the University of Cincinnati, where he excelled as a track and field athlete. He later majored in Criminal Justice before spending a decade coaching collegiate track and field, including stints at Texas A&M and the University of Illinois.
Coaching and Leadership Background
From collegiate coaching to serving as a high school athletic director, Mr. Hon has experienced multiple layers of the sports world. At Texas A&M, he helped guide the women’s track team to a second-place national finish. Following his time in Illinois, he moved back to Ohio to focus on developing young athletes closer to home. He served in a leadership capacity at Walnut Hills High School before joining CHS.
Hon’s Philosophy: Athletics as an Extension of Academics
One of Mr. Hon’s core beliefs is that sports serve as a natural extension of the classroom. He views athletics as an environment where students learn:
- Teamwork: Depend on—and support—your teammates.
- Handling Pressure: Meet deadlines and handle high-stakes moments with poise.
- Long-Term Growth: Invest in training and preparation even when results aren’t immediate.
- Diversity: Embrace the unique “fingerprint” each individual brings to a team.
He emphasized that success on the field or court should translate to success in life—building resilience, dedication, and a sense of responsibility that will serve students well beyond high school.
A Vision of Excellence
Mr. Hon used the word “excellence” repeatedly when describing his plans for CHS. His goal is to uphold and push the school’s athletic programs forward, ensuring:
- Top-Tier Coaching & Facilities: Striving for a culture where both athletes and coaches have the resources to excel.
- Strong Community Ties: Fostering loyalty so that when students graduate, they remember the positive experiences they had in CHS athletics, and feel compelled to give back.
- Positive Development: Student-athletes grow as leaders and responsible citizens.
The Emerging NIL Landscape
Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) has been a hot topic at the college level, and Mr. Hon predicts it will soon impact high school athletics in Ohio. While specific regulations are still in flux, he stressed the importance of anticipating changes, such as:
- New Transfer Rules & Recruiting Challenges: Families may relocate to position student-athletes for better NIL opportunities.
- Educating and Supporting Students: Ensuring athletes understand both the benefits and responsibilities that come with profit opportunities tied to their personal brand.
Mr. Hon’s collegiate coaching background gives him firsthand experience with NCAA NIL policies, which he hopes to leverage to guide CHS athletes and families ethically and effectively.
What’s Next for CHS Athletics?
Still early in his tenure, Mr. Hon plans to spend his first weeks and months getting to know the coaches, student-athletes, and broader community. He looks forward to fine-tuning the athletic department’s strategies to maintain a legacy of excellence that makes alumni proud to return and give back.
In addition to congratulating him on his new role, we also celebrated some recent team successes:
- Wrestling: Strong performances in various weight classes, with a #1 conference ranking in some categories.
- Dance Team: A state championship title in Jazz.
- Football: A new head coach, Mr. John Puckett, taking the helm and aiming to keep the program’s competitive spirit strong.
Final Thoughts
Mr. Hon’s passion for student development, his focus on teamwork and deadlines, and his commitment to intentional investment in youth make it clear: Centerville High School’s athletic future is in good hands. We look forward to watching him implement his vision and continuing our tradition of excellence—on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.
If you get a chance, come out and support one of our teams this season. You’ll see firsthand the energy and dedication our new Athletic Director is already bringing to the program!
Thank You
Thank you, Mr. Hon, for speaking with us today, and we wish you the best as the new athletic director at CHS.
President Paul’s Quote of the Week
“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” – Babe Ruth
Welcome Guests
| Guest | Guest Of |
| Bob Bowman | Nancy Lehren |
| Brad Duncan | Mike Fanelli |
| Brandon Hon | Speaker |
| Cynthia Myers | Thomas Wagner |
| Erin Haligowski | Christy Gariety |
New Member Readings and Inductions
| Name | Sponsor | 1st 2nd 3rd Reading or Induction |
| Nanea LLacuna | Stephanie Llacuna | 1st Reading |
| Cris Peterson | Mike Bevis | 1st Reading |
| Erin Giffin | Ken Peacock | Induction |
Happy Bucks
| Member | Reason |
| Nancy Lehren | She watched the game in person in Atlanta when OSU won the College Football Championship. |
| Jane Fiehrer | She said being a Will Cale mentor is awesome. You should try it. |
| Patrick Arehart | He has written 407 CNOtes blog articles so far. The first one was January 3, 2018. |
| Joan Cordonnier | She said Patrick Arehart’s CNOtes are fantastic. She referred to them almost daily while she was president of CNO. |
| Beth Duncan | She stole the bell from Sarah and was so very happy about it. |
| Tia Papp | In June she is expecting her second child, a baby girl. |
| Debe Dockins | She was happy to see that Evan Fiehrer, Jane’s son, was playing in the stage band for Avenue Q at the Dayton Playhouse. He’s a fantastic guitarist! |
| Don Kelley | He said he was happy that this is the last meeting that Charlie Goodwin and Paul Stull are sergeants. He really means we will miss them. |
| Sarah Umbreit | Glad President Paul Boeckman will preside over the meeting next week. She thanks everyone for welcoming her as interim president. |
Sergeants at Arms
| Member | Infraction |
| Bob Burkman | His shoes are so bright they deserve a fine. |
| Nancy Lehren | She left her name badge in her car. |
Club Membership Anniversaries
| Member | Joined | Years |
| Rachel Goetz | January 31, 2013 | 12 |
| Mike Bevis | January 31, 2002 | 23 |
Birthdays
| Gary Hansen | January 28 |
| Scott Langer | January 29 |
| Bob Myers | January 30 |
| Karen Sirmans | January 31 |
| Donna Huss | February 1 |
| David Ladd | February 1 |
| Zachary Winning | February 2 |
| Doug Orf | February 3 |
| Thomas Wagner | February 3 |
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