Erin Dickerson’s Prayer
Lord,
We come to you today with heavy hearts as we mourn the loss of our dear friends, Louise, Kent and Joe. As we allow ourselves to feel sorrow, may we also feel gratitude. Gratitude for the light they imparted onto each of us through their compassion, their humor, their love, and their generosity. Help us to strive to fill the hole they leave behind here in this life until we are reunited with them again in the next.
Amen.
Volunteer Signups Available Online with the Virtual Clipboard
Did you know that you can now sign up to volunteer or to take part in social events using a simple online registration form right from your phone or PC? The Member Calendar has a complete list of upcoming volunteer opportunities and social events.
Some Sad News About CNO Members
Last weekend three of our fellow members passed. Louise Haun (member since 2019), Kent Loose (member since 2022) and Joe Madden (member since 1982). They will all be missed.
Remembering Joe Madden
Joseph Harry Madden, January 3, 1944 – October 7, 2023
Joe Madden joined CNO in 1982 sponsored by Gary Anderson. After serving on the board of directors and as a VP, he became President of CNO for 1986-1987. Joe was Optimist of the Year in 2002-2003 and a Christian D Larson recipient in 2009. Joe was an Ohio District Lt. Governor in 1994-1995 and a Distinguished Governor in 2012-2013. Joe is also in the Ohio District Hall of Fame. Joe was the Secretary of CNO for 19 years.
Joe was an educator for 35 years and coached basketball for 24 years.
The family has stated in lieu of Flowers that donations be made to CNO.
Substitute President for Today’s Meeting
President-Elect Paul Boeckman was our guide today. He did a fine job. We will be in good hands at the end of Joan’s year! Paul did lose the bell and gavel so he will need to work on that.
Announcements
- Gail Aiken said thank you to Jane Fiehrer and the Sign Connection for the creativity of design for a new sign they made for the Haunted Trail.
- Gail Aiken said thank you to Mike Cordonnier and his students for all their help building new sets and for setting them up at the Haunted Trail.
- Chris McAlpine gave a recap of Tri-Star soccer held last Friday where 80 kids participated. Thanks to Jane Fiehrer for the signs and to Cameron Langer for bringing the food. The kids had fun playing under the lights and got to meet high school players. Some high school kids came up to Chris and said, “Wow that was way more fun that I thought it would be.” Chris thanked his co-chair Greg Wasmund who has been his co-chair every year for 13 years. Thank you to all the members that volunteered.
Happy Birthday Lacy Owens
Today was Lacy Owens birthday! Paul Boeckman had a birthday ribbon for her to wear. Bob Duffy led us in singing Happy Birthday to Lacy. Paul, as acting president running today’s meeting, said he could mess up as much as he likes today and he won’t be nearly as bad as when we sang Happy Birthday! Thank you, Lacy, for attending today so we could celebrate your day and get that bad singing out of our systems. Have a great year, Lacy!
School of Possibilities, Eric Gearhart
Beth Duncan introduced Eric Gearhart, who has been the principal of Centerville’s School of Possibilities for the past seven years.
Presentation
Mr. Gearhart started off by saying that most people have no idea that the School of Possibilities (SOP) exists let alone why they exist. The School of Possibilities works with students who are credit deficient and would not be able to graduate high school without intervention. They are an extension of Centerville High School. They work with their students to introduce them to career opportunities through college or the trades.
When a student moves to SOP, Mr. Gearhart meets with the student and family to discuss expectations and answer any questions they have. In addition to supporting students as they complete credits toward their high school diploma, they help students formulate goals for their career and college readiness.
It surprises some to learn that even though Mr. Gearhart is the principal he is one of the teachers in the school.
Mr. Gearhart has been working with area businesses to help provide job shadowing opportunities, apprenticeships, and internships over the past several years. The school is always looking to add new partnerships.
To learn more about career pathways and programs, students from SOP and CHS visit Sinclair Community College and area businesses throughout the school year. During visits as many as six students have been hired.
Many students have jobs while attending SOP. Some students earn elective credit through work or internships.
Students at SOP can still participate in high school extracurricular activities as long as they meet eligibility requirements.
Mission
The mission of School of Possibilities is to provide a positive and appropriate learning environment for students who are credit deficient and may struggle in a traditional educational environment. The goal is for students to gain a high school diploma and to formulate goals for career and college readiness.
The focus is to assist each student in the areas of academic skill development, positive classroom attendance, attitudinal development, and personal responsibility.
By creating alternative learning experiences, such as a shortened school day, work cooperative opportunities, technology-enhanced academic learning, and student-centered counseling, the intention is for the student to have a renewed interest in learning through individual success and pursue personal goals for life after high school.
School Days
- Morning SOP: 8:15-11:15 a.m.
- Afternoon SOP: 12:45-3:45 p.m.
- Evening SOP: 3:45-5:45 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday
Students focus on two to three subjects at a time.
SOP has 20-25 students in each session. There are three teachers available during these sessions. The students use computer software to learn and the teachers bounce around the room helping students when they struggle with a concept.
Students Take Different Paths
Once Mr. Gearhart had a Junior student with just 2.5 credits. He graduated and is now in the Hobart Welding school.
Another time Mr. Gearhart helped a student become a nurse. The student received enough training to be employed as a nurse and next they are going back for more education to achieve the next level of nursing.
The students know that CNO offers Skilled Trade Scholarships and one of their students has received CNO’s scholarship to the Hobart School of Welding.
Once a student has the credits they need, then they graduate and it could be at any time during the year.
The High School Diploma is not the last step, it is the first. SOP helps students get a job or start training for their career.
Why School of Possibilities is Important
Many kids have been told since a young age that college is what you need to be successful, which is no longer true. For example, malpractice insurance and student loans mean a doctor doesn’t make as much money as a plumber. These kids know they aren’t going to a 4-year college, and they provide them with the information they need to realize they can lead successful, productive lives.
Students from SOP have gone on to build houses and become welders. One student bought his first house at the age of 22.
SOP kids take an aptitude test to determine what they are good at and like. Then the school helps them get the training needed which might be the Hobart School of Welding, or choosing a major at Sinclair University. About one student a year attends the Hobart School of Welding.
Businesses are Adapting
Businesses everywhere are struggling to find employees, especially good ones. There are new barriers to employment. For some reason many kids don’t get their driver’s license until much later in life. Getting young workers to their jobs can be an issue. Construction is one of the toughest because the locations change and are further away. Some businesses are giving their employees Uber tokens to get them to work.
When SOP started, businesses were skeptical, but now that it is going well there are a lot of businesses and organizations opening their doors to SOP students.
Thank You
Thank you, Eric Gearhart, for educating us about Centerville’s School of Possibilities and how it helps struggling students be productive and successful when they might not have even graduated high school. What an amazing service for students in our community!
Welcome Guests
| Guest | Guest Of |
| Eric Gearhart | Speaker |
| Jamie Hartley | Rick Hartley |
| Janiece Hope | Bob Collins |
| Pam Cook | Sharon Baker |
New Member Readings and Inductions
| Name | Sponsor | 1st 2nd 3rd Reading or Induction |
| Peggy Tarnowieckyi | Diane Arehart | 3rd Reading |
| Steve Rudisill | Mike Bevis | Induction |
| Karen Collins | Bob Collins | Induction |
Happy Bucks
| Member | Reason |
| Andy Higgins | Amazed by all the students working their butts off for the Haunted Trail. |
| Beth Duncan | She is moving to a new home in Yankee Trace. |
| Mike Creech | He is celebrating his 45th Wedding Anniversary with Sue. |
| Mike Creech | Daughter Julie has been inducted into the Wilmington College Athletic Hall of Fame in her first year of eligibility for swimming. She joins her brother John in the Hall of Fame. |
| Mike Creech | Rode in the Hilly Hundred with two of his brothers this past weekend. |
Sergeants at Arms
No time for Sergeants this week.
Membership Anniversaries
| Member | Joined | Years |
| Dennis Dockins | October 16, 2021 | 2 |
| Anne Kohls | October 16, 2021 | 2 |
| Keith Meyer | October 16, 2013 | 10 |
| McKenzie Morin | October 16, 2021 | 2 |
| Jackie Powell | October 16, 2021 | 2 |
Birthdays
| Lacy Owens | October 10 |
| Steve Campbell | October 11 |
| Dav Bremer | October 11 |
| Sue Jessee | October 14 |
| Donna Robinson | October 14 |
| Wes Cleaves | October 15 |
| Craig Dring | October 16 |
CNO Donations – 2013 through August 2023
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.