Our greeters this morning are Phil Perington and George Buzick. It is a beautiful spring morning as we welcome June.  Delicious breakfast this morning from Café de France.
 President Tom Kramis asks Joe Marci to read the invocation this morning. In honor of Memorial Day.   Merciful God, the remembrance of those who have served for us, let us keep close in our hearts.  We are grateful for and grateful to those who have answered the call of duty for our country.  Let us never forget those who served for us.  Joe then leads us in the pledge of allegiance.    
 President Tom takes the opportunity to speak with some of those in attendance.  Ed Collins was up in Steamboat Springs last week, enjoying quality family time.  Eldon Strong was planting his garden.  Tom Hoch made the trip back to Colorado from Minnesota.  Bill Litchfield spent quality time back in Nebraska, Long Pine to be specific.  President Tom tells us about his experience in Alliance NE to watch the most recent total eclipse.  Tom’s hair is getting longer due to his stylist having COVID. Tom wants people to be aware that Covid19 still exists and, in some cases is on the increase.  Please take precautions appropriate to the situation and withwhich you feel comfortable.  Be particularly careful in crowded environments. We need you at the meetings.
 

Tom Kramis shared the following information regarding a potential dues increase from Optimist International:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Monaco South Optimist Club was founded in southeast Denver 46 years ago and its lead program has been its Super Citizen Award for over 40 years.  In addition, we conduct a high school essay contest at Thomas Jefferson, an oratory contest for middle schoolers, the Brain Bowl, Optimist Junior Golf, Boys and Girls Club Thanksgiving Dinner, and Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets among other projects.
In that time, we have recognized thousands of students as being Super Citizens in ten southeast Denver schools.  Each year each school recognizes one student that has exhibited outstanding leadership, character, and concern for fellow students, faculty, and staff.  This award is named after the founder of the Super Citizen program, Charlie Korsoski.  It includes a plaque, certificate of recognition and a $100 award.  Theodore Roosevelt once said, "And in the end Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an individual and of nations alike."  This year's Super Citizen for outstanding

Character is Hannah Mitchell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tom Hoch, tells us about the Korsoski award at Slavens Elementary School.  Kurt Seibold is the Principal at Slavens, and a member of this club, and the school did another great job with the presentation.  They had their continuation ceremony, during which Tom asked how many the assembled students had been recognized as Super Citizens, with a lot of the kids raising their hands. 

Photos by Tom Hoch

 

Frank Middleton acting as membership chairman, takes the mic and asks us what the club may need?  New Members!  Who sponsored you and why did you come into contact with this group.  He asks Eldon Strong, about his introduction to the club.  Eldon was introduced to Monaco South Optimists by Todd Olson who was his neighbor.  Mike White had known Don Thomson since Don coached him in Little League, way back when, with Don introducing Mike to the club several years ago.  Mark Metevia says a customer introduced him to Optimists.  Dan Rodriguez had met Craig Eley, when Craig came into D Pan’s store, Sign O Rama, to make signs for the Tree Lot. Pat Bush met Russ Paul after coming up on Russ immediately after Russ had been involved in a bike accident, and the 2 got to talking.  The point is, there are many ways to introduce potential new members to this club.  It’s the life blood of this club.  So the next time you see a neighbor, or lost long acquaintance, or have a pleasant interaction with a complete stranger, invite them to learn about Optimism and what the benefits are to join this or any Optimist Club!

 

Joe Marci has some golf tournaments coming up.  Have over 125 boys, and 90 girls for these tournaments.  Joe will have a sign up sheet next week for the events, he will need volunteers to help.  Next week for our meeting the Sullivan Scholarship winners have been invited, we are hoping all 8 show up. 

 

Optimist Junior Golf recently announced the junior golfers of the 2022 Hugh Cranford All-Scholastic Team. Those making the team exemplified an impressive balance of academics, golf and community service. After reviewing the qualifications of impressive applicants, the Optimist Junior Golf Committee selected the following exceptional student athlete for the team:
Community Service Award Winner
Katelyn Lehigh: Loveland, Colorado

Katelyn Lehigh will be graduating this year from Loveland High School in Loveland, Colorado.

Katelyn has been golfing since she was four years old and has been playing tournament golf since she was nine.

Since she started playing golf, Katelyn’s achievements at the Optimist District Qualifiers, Optimist Junior Tour events, Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado (JGAC) and Colorado Junior Golf Association (CJGA) tournaments, and local and regional Drive, Chip, and Putt competitions have surpassed others in her age group.

Katelyn was the Drive, Chip, and Putt Grand Champion of Northern Colorado in 2013.

 In 2014, Katelyn was a CJGA All-Star with two wins and seven Top 5 finishes and the Harmony Golf Course Junior Champion for girls 10 and under.

In 2015, Katelyn was the Wyoming State Junior Amateur Champion in the 10 – 12 age group.

In 2016, she was the JGAC 11 – 13 Series Points List Champion and JGAC 11 – 13 Series All-Star; won the IMG World Junior Qualifier in Colorado; and won the age 12 – 13 Drive, Chip, and Putt Local and Sub-Regional Competitions.

In 2017, Katelyn was the JGAC 14 – 18 Series Points List Champion and JGAC 14 – 18 Series All-Star; won the Harmony Club Junior Championship and the local age 14 – 15 Drive, Chip, and Putt competition.

In 2018, Katelyn again won the Harmony Club Junior Championship, shooting a personal best 64.

In 2019, Katelyn competed on the Colorado State High School Championship team from Loveland High School and placed T8 individually.  She was the only Freshman named to the Northern Colorado All-Area Team.  She won the “Unsung Hero” award for her high school team, voted on by teammates and coaching staff; was a Colorado High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) 3-sport athlete; and was All-Conference and All-State in golf.

Katelyn has been captain of the Loveland High School Girls’ Golf Team and a letter recipient in golf during her Sophomore, Junior, and Senior seasons.

The 2020 golf season was cancelled because of the COVID pandemic.

In 2021, Katelyn was the individual CHSAA Class 5A Girls’ Golf State Champion and was on the CHSAA Class 5A Girls’ Championship Team.  She was named CHSAA Girls’ Golfer of the Year and the Loveland Reporter-Herald Girls’ Golfer of the Year.  She was on the 2021 Colorado Girls’ Junior America’s Cup Team and competed in the 2021 USGA Girls’ Junior Tournament.

I first met Katelyn at the 2015 Colorado-Wyoming District Optimist Junior Golf Qualifier where she was the winner in the Girls 10 – 12 age group.  She was a repeat winner in the Girls 10 – 12 age group in 2016.  Moving up to the Girls 13 – 14 age group in 2017, Katelyn placed 6^th.  In the 2018 District Qualifier, Katelyn placed 3^rd in the Girls 13 – 14 age group.  Moving up to the Girls 15 – 18 age group in 2019, Katelyn finished T17.

From 2015 – 2019, Katelyn qualified every year for the Optimist International Junior Golf Championship (i.e., THE OPTIMIST), placing 27^th in 2015, T13 in 2016, 49^th in 2017, T23 in 2018, and T34 in 2019.  At THE 2019 OPTIMIST, Katelyn qualified for the Girls’ 15 – 18 age group Long Drive Championship.

Katelyn competed in the Optimist Junior Golf Tournament of Champions in 2015.

Katelyn has competed in four Optimist Junior Tour events at Green Valley Ranch in Denver, Colorado, winning the Girls 11 – 13 age group in 2017 and finishing T2 in the Girls 14 – 18 age group in 2019.

Katelyn is in her sixth year in the Hale Irwin Elite Player Program.  The program is designed to identify junior golfers in Colorado with determination, drive, and passion for the game of golf and to enhance their skills by granting them FREE access to CommonGround Golf Course and practice facilities.  (CommonGround Golf Course is owned and operated by the Colorado Golf Association.)  Additionally, participants in the Hale Irwin Elite Player Program volunteer with the CGA Community and Wellness Programs and serve as scorekeepers and on-course volunteers for JGAC and AJGA age 10 and under tournaments.

Besides her golfing prowess, Katelyn has also been a letter recipient of the Loveland High School Girls’ Track and Girls’ Basketball Teams since her Freshman year.  She also serves as Team Manager for the Loveland High School Boys’ Golf Team.

In her “spare time”, Katelyn has also helped build a house for Habitat for Humanity; been a registration volunteer for the Boulder Ironman Competition; placed wreaths at Ft Logan CO National Cemetery and Mountain View Cemetery in Longmont CO for Wreaths Across America, an international non-profit organization with over 1,100 participating locations in all 50 States and 24 National Veteran Cemeteries in foreign countries; has been a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes since her Sophomore year in high school; and has been a member of the L-Club, a leadership club at Loveland High School since her Freshman year.

Another of her passions is fly-tying.  Katelyn is a Master Fly-tyer and for the last nine years has participated in fly-tying clinics with a number of different Trout Unlimited chapters and Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. (a program dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities including education and outings).

If it’s even possible, Katelyn’s academic achievements surpass her golfing achievements and community service activities.

During her elementary and middle school years, Katelyn was in the Gifted and Talented Program.

Katelyn has had a 4.0 cumulative GPA (unweighted) since the 8^th grade in an academically rigorous curriculum of Honors and Advanced Placement courses.  She is ranked # 1 in her Senior class.  She has been on the Loveland High School honor roll since her Freshman year.

Katelyn has won four Presidential Academic Excellence Awards.

From 2014 – 2021, Katelyn has been a JGAC Academic All-Star.  From 2019 – 2021, she has been Academic All-State in golf and basketball.  In 2021, she was a member of the Girls’ Golf Team that was named Academic All-State with the highest combined GPA in Colorado.

For the last three years, Katelyn has been a member of the National Honor Society at Loveland High School.

Katelyn scored a 1330 on the SAT.

Katelyn is a confident, charming, self-assured, well-spoken young lady with unlimited potential in any future endeavor she chooses.

 

Colorado/Wyoming District Optimist Junior Golf Program Tri-chairman

 

Mark Metevia tells us about a car show at Arapahoe Community College coming up Sunday.  For $10 it starts at 9.  Mark will help man the booth for new 3M wraps along with Dan Rodriguez. 
 
Kent Gloor and Bill Morgan will be taking part in the Pedaling4Parkinsons Bike Ride on June 11 They are asking for those that have pledged support, financial or otherwise to pony up. You can still sign up at phttp://pedal4parkinsons.org.  Look forward to hearing how this goes for Kent and Bill.  Good luck! Apparently they are looking for volunteers to marshal the ride. If you are interested check with Kent.
 
Michael Chavez passes around the sign up sheet for the MS Ride coming up later this month.  Club member Bob Avery will be riding again for the cause.  Are there any other members who plan to ride?