News
Optimist Club of Coronado
Sports Fiesta Triathlon 2020
Every year on the last weekend in July, the Optimist Club of Coronado holds the annual Optimist Sports Fiesta. One of the highlights of the event is the triathlon which holds the distinction of being the oldest continuous running triathlon in the world!
This year, of course, the Sports Fiesta was cancelled due to COVID-19. Disappointing for the Optimists and competitors, one family in particular. Three Coronado-grown brothers Dave, Al and Mark Hansen, have been staunch competitors in the Sports Fiesta for years. Al says he’s only missed one over the years. The thought of the Sports Fiesta triathlon losing its distinction of being oldest, continuous running triathlon in the world didn’t sit well with the family and they decided to do something about it.
A plan was hatched, bringing three generations of family together for the competition. David and his wife, Mickey live on the bay so it was the perfect venue for all three events. Sports Fiesta coordinator, Optimist Don Crawford, was called to officiate the activities. Masks, social distancing, and safety were priorities.
First event in the competition was the swim out to a buoy with some swimmers and lots of kids on paddleboards. Next up was the run down First Street with a variety of speeds, bare feet, a tutu, and lots of enthusiasm. Lastly, the bike ride went along the same route on First Street in the bike lane. In this competition everyone was a winner in their age group with Grandpa Dave handing out medals to all the kids from his collection, dating back to the 1980s. It was truly competitive fun at its best.
Lunch was a celebration on the bay front to celebrate Dave and Mickey’s 50th wedding anniversary, surrounded by family.
After a lunch the family members dispersed. It was overheard that a few Hansens were looking forward to their next event of the day, the annual Sports Siesta.
The Optimist Club of Coronado would like to thank the Hansen Family for keeping the Sports Fiesta Triathlon tradition and history alive.
Another Successful Sports Fiesta!
Another great event was held at Sunset Park on Saturday and Sunday. The 10KRun registered 205 participants, the 1 mile swim was a small but hearty group of 46 swimmers in 60 degree water, and on Sunday, the Triathlon has 129 participants. The Diving competition had 35 divers and 12 teams of synchronized divers. Results are posted on the Home page of OptimistClubofCoronado.org
Coronado.Patch.com published a nice article about the event, too. ‘Coronado Should Bid for Next Olympics,’ Says Londoner Post-Swim
Optimist Sports Fiesta 2012
The Optimist Sports Fiesta 2012 was a great success! Results for the 10K Run, the 1-mile Ocean Swim, and the Triathlon are posted now!
CHS Football
CHS football coach and Optimist Club member brings a few of his upcoming team and assistant coach Terry O'Leary to a meeting.
Our Club’s Newest Members – Andrea Webster and Fritz Gaylord
The newest members of the Optimist Club of Coronado.
From left to right: Sponsor, Diana Drummey with Andrea Webster (new member); Fritz Gaylord (new member) with sponsor, Carla Fargo.
Coronado High School Youth Appreciation
Today, our meeting was at full capacity at the Coronado Community Center. It was Youth Appreciation for Coronado High School students. Students were chosen by the teachers based on the embodiment of the Optimist Creed.
Principal Karl Mueller and Vice Principal Jenny Moore introduced their wonderful band of young people who, along with proud parents. Lynz Arendsee in her brightest green handed gifts to the teens as they were announced. Freshmen Jaclyn Bunker & Matt Gillingham, Sophomores Baylie Zimmerman & Justin Meek, Juniors Mary Grace Braun & Willis Taylor, and Seniors Kyana Van Houten & Patrick Erskin were picked out by their teachers as living the Optimist Creed in their school life. Kevin Nicholls, Principal of the Palm Academy, brought faculty member Kim Strassburger to introduce Aubrey Brewer and Jacob Dawley who were the awardees from that side of D Ave.
Both Karl and Kevin spoke nice words about the relationship between the school and our yellow clad members. We thanked the parents for sending us their fine children, and then, before we knew it, they were off to school. Congratulations to all these incredible young people, and their parents and educators, too!
Here are the Left to right identification with grade levels: Back row: CHS Principal Karl Mueller,Jaclyn Bunker(9), Baylie Zimmerman (10), Mary Grace Braun (11), Kyana Van Houten (12), VP Jenny Moore. Front row: Matt Gillingham (9), Justin Meek (10), Willis Taylor (11), Patrick Erskine (12)
Palm Academy Principal Kevin Nichols, Jacob Dawley, Aubrey Brewer, and Faculty Member Kim Strassburger.
Optimist Youth Leaders Putting Ideas Into Action
The optimism and creative spirit of both the CHS Octagon and the CMS Jr. Optimist clubs are outstanding. Fellow members have experienced the satisfaction that results from volunteering time and talent to worthwhile projects. Successful projects require planning, promotion and work; the planning and promotion result from good leadership by students who lead in a variety of capacities; the work requires cheerful participation by all members.
In addition to superb student leaders, the Octagon and Jr. Optimist clubs are most fortunate to have excellent adult supervisors. Supporting the Octagon Club are Teacher/Advisor Ian Silverman and Optimist Liaison Laura Lynn Meek . Teacher/Advisor Jennifer Landry supports the Jr. Optimist Club. Laura Lynn and Jennifer are also members of the Optimist Club. The Coronado Optimists are proud to sponsor these outstanding clubs and salute their good works.
Optimist Essay Contest
Photo (L-R): Winners Andrew Morris & Claire Purvis, Optimist Sally Wilson (Luke McCue not avail for photo)
The Optimist Essay Contest, under the leadership of Sally Wilson, again produced outstanding essays from students in Coronado. The essay topic was: “How My Positive Outlook Benefits My Community”. Winners this year were: 1st Place: Claire Purvis; 2nd Place: Luke McCue; 3rdPlace: Andrew Morris.
Claire wrote about how her life-long health problems have inspired her to work toward easing the burdens of other children with similar difficulties. She and a friend, who also suffers in her young age, have several projects to give hope to children at the hospital where they have been treated. Claire wrote that she has missed out on many things, but she has not been let down. Her love enhances the lives of other whose problems Claire well understands.
Luke McCue wrote about how being part of a military family and having the opportunity to visit 16 countries has made him realize he is a citizen of the world. It has taught him he can help make a difference by bringing people together to accomplish things for the greater good. Last summer he had the opportunity to be a member of a team that built an elementary school from the ground up in Ghana. Through this experience as well as others he has had in other countries, and with his role as an elected member of his student body association, he brings people together, gets them enthusiastic about working together and accomplishes tasks none of them could have completed alone.
Andrew wrote about using his talent on the piano to ease the loneliness of older folks in an assisted living home, many who suffer with dementia and severe health problems. Andrew brightens their days with his songs. He wrote that, as his music floats down and around the corners of the halls of the home, people have their nurses wheel them to the sound of music in the room where he plays. Older people sing or hum songs they remember. He enjoys making their day a little brighter.
The three winners represented not only themselves but also all the students who entered the contest, teachers and families who provide support and encouragement. The Optimist Club thanks you all!
Optimist Oratorical Contest
March 28, 2012 - A record number of 14 contestants participated in this year’s Optimist Oratorical Contest. The topic addressed was; “How Optimism Helps Me to Overcome Obstacles”. Student orators were from Coronado Middle School and Sacred Heart Parish School.
Each speech was graded for poise, delivery and effectiveness and was 4 to 5 minutes long. In attendance were students, parents, teachers, school administrators and Optimists. The judges this year were Mayor Casey Tanaka and Optimists Bill Perry, Mike Lavin and Molly McKay. Optimist Claudia Ludlow, General Manager of the Glorietta Bay Inn, was contest coordinator.
All of the orators spoke of the importance of being optimistic. Phrases such as; hang in there, press on, never give up, learn from mistakes, can’t change life--only how we live it, were but a sample. The importance of optimism in developing self-confidence was mentioned in several speeches. One contestant said, “I never gave a speech before, but I’m doing it!”
The boy winners were Alex Gutierrez (1st), Dante Gutierrez (2nd) and Jaime Caballero (3rd). Girl winners were Lorea Mediguren (1st), Carolina Salomire (2nd) and Andrea Gutierrez (3rd). The first place winners will continue on to the next level of competition. If successful, the final level of competition will be at the Cal-South District, where winners receive $2500 scholarships.
The Optimists thank all that made the contest successful – especially the orators, judges, teachers and parents!
Alan Aegerter Serving as Optimist CalSouth District Lt. Governor
Coronado resident Al Aegerter has served the youth in our community for many years. Active in the Optimist Club since joining, he chaired several youth projects, served as board member, and was chosen by the membership as President for the year 2000-2001.
Known as a ‘go to person’, he was asked and agreed to serve in the Optimist California-South District as Lt. Governor. In this capacity he supports, counsels and guides clubs that not only includes the renown Coronado Optimists but also several other clubs in the district. It is great to have citizens in Coronado like Al, willing to serve others and the youth they support.
Optimist Club Oratorical Contest 2012
Optimist Club to Sponsor Oratorical Contest for Students
The Optimist Club of Coronado is encouraging area students to speak their minds about the topic “How my Optimism Helps me Overcome Obstacles” as part of the Optimist International Oratorical Contest for the 2011-2012 year.
The Optimist Club will judge the local students’ speeches based on content and presentation to determine the top winners. Winners will receive cash awards to 1st, 2nd, 3rd and the winning speeches will be sent to the zone level, and possibly the district level for the opportunity to win college scholarships. Several students from Coronado have won scholarships in prior years.
Students under the age of 18 as of December 31, 2011, who have not yet graduated from high school or the equivalent, are eligible to participate. Six students will be chosen to represent each school and competition will be separate gender contests.
“As they prepare for their future, many of our local students need experience expressing their thoughts and opinions to an audience,” Club President Dick Madouse said. “The Oratorical Contest challenges them to do just that and also offers an opportunity for scholarships. In this way, our club hopes to bring out the best in each of them and help them achieve their goals for the future.”
The deadline to hand in speeches is Monday, March 26, 2012. Students wishing to participate in the oratorical contest can find out more about the contest by contacting the club chair Claudia Ludlow (Glorietta Bay Inn) at 619-365-0241 or contacting their local counselor or teacher for their school.
CMS Advanced Performing Arts Program
We had a whole bunch of young guests from the Coronado Middle School Advance Performing Arts who were accompanied by parents and Teacher Linda Coleman. The kids are putting on "Bugsy Malone" in a single performance on Friday, February 17. If the preview they put on for us is an indication, you won't want to be left out.
The youngsters were charming, singing and dancing with all gusto of seasoned vets. Don't miss it.
The group will be taking the show to LA as part of a Musical Theater Competition next month. Good luck!
The Optimist Club’s Early Crew….
A beautiful, early morning start to a Thursday morning! Captured in front of the Coronado Community Center by one of the first Optimists to arrive at the meeting this morning.