From Phil Perington:

 

Curt Boell and Frank Middleton were pressing the flesh and providing warm welcomes to all.  A good crowd was in attendance on a blustery and cold Friday morning, April 19th 2024.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark Metevia introduced Patrick Morgan, a neighbor of his in Southmoor.  Patrick is a realtor, and was a member of our club in late 1990’s and knows a few of our members, including Ken Duffy and Casey Funk.  Welcome Patrick!

 

President Casey Funk received a request from a Destination Imagination to the global finals in Kansas City.  The entry fee is $5,500 and the school is looking for some help.  Casey wanted all members to be aware.  The board will discuss it at the next meeting and see what the membership thinks about the amount of support that the club is able to provide

 

 

 

Karl Geil says that judges are still needed for the State History Day in Colorado competition a week from Saturday on April 27. The contest will be held on the Auraria Campus beginning at 8 am for breakfast and judges’ orientation. Evaluation forms will be completed during lunch, which will be provided. Once you have completed and turned in the forms and eaten lunch, you are done. This year’s theme is “Turning Points in History.” Middle school and high school students have already gone  through a Regional Contest and will be presenting either a research paper, an original performance, a documentary, a website, an exhibit, or a documentary. You will help decide which two projects in your category go one to compete at the National History Day contest at the University or Maryland with a chance to earn a scholarship there. To sign up, please go to https://forms.gle/HNNqzKyyekSaagfM6 and fill out the volunteer form. 

 

Michael Chavez shared that our Rockies handout day at Coors Field is coming up.  Sign up and bring family members age 16 and older.  We need 30 volunteers and we get $750 from the Rockies.  The game is on Father’s day, June 16th, and we need to arrive by 10:30 am.  We will be handing out trucker hats to the arriving fans.

 

Michael also said that the MS Ride is coming up, and we are once again hosting a hydration station on the second day of the ride, Sunday, June 20th.  Mark your calendars and look for a sign up sheet soon.

Ken Jeung announced that on camaraderie day (the day of club elections) next week, we are having Hat Day at our Friday morning meeting.  This is just for fun and a chance to be silly.  Bring a goofy hat (goofier than normal) and prizes (free breakfast) will be awarded.

 

 

 

Craig Eley says that the new club directory will be available next Friday at our meeting.  Also, May 31st will be our rematch with the Tamarac Club in the updated version of “Are you smarter than the Brain Bowl chair?”.  Tom Mauro has been put in charge in finding a team of five to redeem ourselves after a poor showing last year.  Craig will emcee the event, and promises to pay it fair. 

 

Joe Marci announced that the Super Citizen assembly at Most Precious Blood is coming up next week.  He was looking for a member to help with the presentations, and Tom Kramis raised his hand.

 

At our next Friday morning meeting April 26th, we will have club elections.  Harry Fegley is on the ballot to be president, and Andy Towt and Vaughan Kendall have put their hats in the ring for Vice President.  There are four open board of directors spots, and George Buzick, Zabih Danesh, Gary Jerman, Roy Olsen, Bill Morgan and Paul Stratton are the candidates.  Be sure to attend on the 26th and cast your vote!

 

Tom Mauro began our Excellence in Education program.  Tom says that the two teachers being honored today are both special education teachers.  First, Tom introduced Cheyenne Brown, Special Education teacher at Northfield High School.  Her proud grandparents, Carolyn and Carl Brown, look on proudly as Tom read her nomination:

 

Cheyenne Brown exemplifies unparalleled dedication to putting students first particularly through her unwavering advocacy on behalf of our special education students. As a prominent member of our school’s cabinet, Cheyenne consistently drives our team to prioritize inclusivity within our systems.

Her commitment is not merely vocal but translates into tangible action, as she actively engages in pushing for accommodations that address the unique needs of every student.

Cheyenne’s efforts extend beyond mere advocacy - she fosters a culture of accountability ensuring that our school environment not only welcomes but actively supports the diverse needs of all students.

With Cheyenne at the forefront our school is not just a place of learning, it is a community where every student - regardless of their individual challenges - can thrive.

Brian Cochran, Assistant Principal at Northfield High School, was in attendance also and echoed the comments in the nomination and praised Cheyenne’s compassion.  He thanked her for helping to educate the other teachers and staff at their school on the special needs of her students.  Tom then presented a plaque and a check from the club.

 

For our second teacher recognition, Tom turned the mike over to Steve Kady.  Steve met Jill Curnow, Special Education teacher at  Sabin World Elementary, (https://sabin.dpsk12.org/) when he was working there driving a school bus.  He got to know her and see her commitment to students who face significant challenges and is very impressed with her attitude. Jill introduced us to her student Evan - she and Evan have a Friday morning breakfast date every week so he came along with her.  Jill thanked the club for the aware. Tom presented her with the plaque and a check.

 

 

Steve Kady introduced a very special guest.  Denver Police Chief (and Thomas Jefferson High School grad) Ron Thomas joined us today.  He in turn introduced four District Commanders representing the four corners of the city.  The police leadership was here today to take part in our ceremony awarding excellence in education.  Chief Thomas said he is happy to have officers back in Denver’s high school.  He feels the officer are important for school security, but that is secondary to having more visible and responsible adults in the school buildings.  He said thank you the teachers that are being honored and to the club for having the program.

With a little bit of extra time, Chief Thomas fielded questions from the club members on a variety of topics.  He shared information on some new graduating classes that should get the police closer to their optimal staffing level.  The police are not immune from budget cuts, and are trying to handle them without affecting “front-facing” roles. He says there has be very little of reduction in patrols and patrol cars.

 

The issues in high schools that the police see most regularly are personal conflicts, often around reactions to online behavior.  The Denver Police do have a social media director for posting and monitoring activity, looking for potential threats. There is not a regular presence of police in middle schools, but they do support the schools with educational programs

 

Since marijuana legalization, fentanyl is the number one drug problem and the greatest challenge the police see in the community.  It is sometimes getting mixed into other drugs, leading to unexpected reactions including death. It is an inexpensive drug and has decimated the unhoused community.  The chief says fentanyl is being sold by “run-of-the-mill” drug dealers, not from people new to the community.

 

Chief Thomas says that even though car theft and violent crimes statistics are down, the perception of crime has not gone down.

Drawing  We had a drawing!  After Vaughan Kendall’s big win last week, a modest $20 was in the pot.  The 8 of spades was the magic card.

Cups O’Cash went to:

One of our honored teachers, Cheyenne Brown, won a cup, as did her grandfather, Carl Brown, who shared his winnings with Cheyenne.

 

Dick Nickoloff and Kevin Dempsey took a shot at the $20, but no luck.

 

Nametag: Dick Nickoloff got another shot, but again came up short.

 

Creed: President Casey asked Tom Mauro to start us off on the creed:  “Promise Yourself, to be so strong…”++++

 

The Leyden, Charles Wickersham Post #1 of the American Legion presents annual awards to people in who serve their community. This year's presentation of "Hero of the Year"

was presented to Michael Chavez for his service to the community especially provision of Dinner for Boys and Girls Clubs, Thanksgiving Baskets and the many other things he does with the Monaco South Optimist Club. The ceremony was both touching and rewarding as shown below. Master of Ceremonies was Steffen Tubbs, well-known Denver radio personality. Shown here are a few pictures of the day's activities, during which Michael received his award and Tom Yagley, Post Commander presented President Casey Funk and Michael a $1,000 check for use by MSOC in serving the community. Congratulations to Michael for a well deserved reward.