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Optimist Club of Coronado
Announcing the 2020 Oratorical Contest
Ever wonder what it would be like to live with no constraints? No limitations? No frustrations? Coronado school students have an opportunity to muse on these ideas and speak on the theme Just Imagine a World Without Boundaries in the 2020 Coronado Optimists Oratorical Contest.
This is the 49th year of the Coronado Optimists’ contest and will be held in the Winn Room at the Coronado Library on Monday, March 2nd at 3:30 – 6:00p.m. The contest is an enjoyable but serious public-speaking opportunity for Coronado students to explore why they are so confident and optimistic about their future. All are invited to attend the contest, especially the students’ families and friends, and be amazed with the students’ insights and the quality of their speeches.
All Coronado school students, including home-schooled students, under the age of 19 as of October 1, 2019 (there is no minimum age) are eligible to participate and encouraged to apply. Students are urged to work with his/her teacher to prepare their speech.
The students’ 4 – 5 minute speeches, delivered from memory, are judged on content, presentation, poise, and overall effectiveness. Each student receives a participation certificate and the top three students receive medallions and cash awards. The top two students can go on to compete at the Optimists zone and district level contests in April for college scholarships up to $2,500; the district level winner can participate in the regional contest and the Optimist Oratorical World Championship in July for a college scholarships up to $15,000.
The Application form, which includes all the contest rules, is below. It is also available from Gene Rathswohl, the contest coordinator, at erathswohl@san.rr.com.
Completed application forms should be mailed to:
Gene Rathswohl
924 Eighth Street
Coronado, CA 92118
Applications must be received by Wednesday, February 26, 2020.
A maximum of 20 students can participate, so the earlier an application is submitted the better. Feel free to contact Gene with any questions you have regarding the contest.
2019 Winners
Weekly Optimist Meeting 01-16-2020
The meeting kicked off promptly at 0700 with a prayer from Charles Ahren and pledge lead by Bill Carinder.
Our speaker needed to postpone but Optimist member, Roy Mantz stepped up to be our speaker.
DONATIONS
If you have been approached regarding Coronado Optimist making donations to various clubs, groups and school activities we now have an application process with criteria. The application is on our webpage..questions please contact Liaison Chair: Jim Jamison
SUPERBOWL OF CARING
January 15th thru February 2nd
The JOI kids will be picking up between 10am and 1pm
contact Erin Downey 619-675-1323
No ding master today...Mark is absent
Richard Owens, Al Aegerter, Roy Mantz, and Laura Lynn Meek.
Roy Mantz, Larry Kracht, Tom Kane, and Leslie Crawford.
Don Crawford father in law Don Hubbard turned 94 and Don Crawford master gardener class student where Optimist Diana Drummey stated she optimist at the intro class of 2020
George Kunberger home.. mother in law turned 100…brag about his wife and sister who did a Great Gatsby part
Cynthia writing again and published in a friends book
Laura Lynn meek bragged for Justin who will be receiving a valor award posthumously...Victoria Rose last semester at school and going into US Navy, and Coco Channel is all certified as a support dog.
Zoll son re deployed praying for his safety.
Jim Callaway brag Drummey doing ½ marathon on Sunday-Thanks Jim!
City fix property in front of Jim Cooper's house.. he is thrilled.
Guest Speaker:
Roy Mantz
Our guest speaker our own Roy Mantz who is celebrating his 92 birthday and 39 years in the club.
Kirk Henry met Roy thru Optimist Club and Coronado Round Table. Roy handled all computer documents and data entry the Round Table Assc.
But if you want to really get to know Roy, read his book which is on sale on Amazon...Once a Jock Always a Jock...Recollections of The Flying Midshipmen. A book of fun and interesting stories.
Roy wanted to be a pilot and took a battery of tests to get into college and become a pilot under the ROTC program. His official day of enlistment was January 1, 1946, which gave him the status of WWII Veteran without out seeing combat.
He started his early life attending USC when Admiral Holloway instituted a program in 1946 to bea apprentice seaman. Roy was part of this program called The Flying Midshipmen at USC. He completed two years of school while doing active duty flying too.
There were Lots of restrictions with this program... for example you could not get married.
Roy after his first two yrs aviation midshipman program he was sent to first squad and the co did not know what to do with them and his fellow pilots. Administration did not see them as qualified to be officers yet too they were not enlisted. These midshipmen were surely.not trusted to fly on and off of aircraft. Base gate guards stopped the midshipmen as they thought they were impersonating officers.
Significant names that will be recognized as part of this program from 1946 and 1950 Neil Armstrong, Jim Lovell, our own Leslie Crawford's dad, Don Hubbard.
And from our own Optimist Club members who too were midshipman: Admiral Paul Speer, Casey Reynolds, Ed Crown, and Larry Reisick,
Roys favorite plane was the Cougar and it sounds like the time he was flying a seaplane...not so great. He was able to finish his school studies and expected to return to USC, but there was no longer the ROTC program at USC. He was sent to Kansas University...some of the best time of his life.
Roy met his lovely wife, Kathleen down in Florida with friends. During their time of getting to know each other it was found that Kathleen's only relatives who lived in North Hollywood were Roy's neighbors... what a small world.
Roy and Kathleen settle in Coronado after a marvelous 28 yrs of Navy life..with three boys who have married lovely ladies giving them 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
After the Navy, Roy and other Flying Midshipmen were not represented appropriately by the Navy. The Flying Midshipmen Association was created to make sure those still active could receive equity pay and representation with the Navy. The association was a success and decommissioned in 2011 ...the same year of 100 years of Aviation History was celebrated.
I have know Roy for my 26 yrs as an Optimist with our club...he is an amazing person...we have so many in our club...with wonderful stories...I say let's have more Coronado Optimist tell their stories...
Thank you Roy for your service to our country, our community and to Optimist.!
Find Us
Every Thursday Morning at 7:00 am in the Coronado Community Center.
1845 Strand Way
Coronado, CA 92118
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Weekly Optimist Meeting 12-19-2019
Well, here we are at the end of an Optimist Year. There will be much to discuss at the Christmas party tonight. Cocktails at 5 and dinner served up at 6. Brenda promises great fun and fellowship--Lord knows that our world is in need of fellowship and humor. Andy Hendrickson will provide the humor. Al Aegerter and his band of merry men with have the music. The rest of us will be the Spirits of Christmas Present.
We had a fine prayer from Brenda Kracht, and a Jim (Zoll or Jamison) started the pledge.
President Dennis told us of other times that tried men's souls--in particular, Valley Forge in 1777.
More about the New Year--There will be a Last Supper of 2019 at the VFW Hall on New Years eve from four to six. Bring a dish or a donation for the Optimist Foundation.
And the hard charging JOI clubs sold all the stuff you left in Erin Downey's front yard on Saturday. With the sale of Bill Parry's refrigerator complete, the net was $461 for the effort against childhood cancer. BZ
The latest goldenrod Handbook and Directory is out. Pick up your copy on Jan 2 which will be our next meeting date.
Now what in the world is going on here? Past President John Bowen, Incumbent President Dennis Dorman, and SAFE President Georgia Ferrell are giving us a demonstration of turtles. John hasn't quite got his head where it ought to be. But you get the idea.
Here are Dennis, Lauren, and Georgia taking a big check from us so they can teach the turtle to little kids. It is a way that children can learn to respond when facing strong feelings. Sort of like a time out.
Georgia told us all about the SAFE programs helping parents to learn new skills to become more effective in raising their children. SAFE works in the schools to make our very fluid student population a more friendly community for the new student.
The sixth grade Drug Prevention Program has been institued to show children the downside of involvement with drugs.
All this made possible by you Optimists!
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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.
New Optimist President is Installed
Photo (L-R) Optimist President Dick Madouse receives President’s Pin from Immediate Past President Irish Flynn
In 1970 at the La Avenida Restaurant, twenty-five charter members founded the club that has developed into one of the premier clubs within Optimist International. Leadership and participation at all levels within the club has been the hallmark of the Coronado Optimists. The beneficiaries have been the youth of Coronado -- students at all of the schools in our village, a variety of youth organizations and individual students who have asked and received assistance for specific individual projects.
Richard ‘Dick’ Madouse is the 42nd President of the club and will serve in that capacity from October 1, 2011 to September 30, 2012. His leadership team includes; Irish Flynn- Immediate Past President, Charlie Ahern– President Elect, Vice Presidents Mark Blumenthal and Jennifer Landry, Directors Lyndsey Arendsee, Clint Coneway, Dennis Dorman, Ted Khrone, Mike Napolitano, Bernie Roeder, Secretary Charles Helsper, and Treasurer Brennan Hovland.
One of the Optimists’ annual highlights is the selection of two individuals to receive very special awards: the Optimist of the Year and Life Member Awards. The two Optimists who received the awards this year are: Don Crawford, Optimist of the Year; and Jack Larison, Life Member. Their contributions to the club and commitment to the Optimist Creed are evident in all they do.
The Optimists salute the leaders and award-winners, thank them for their willingness to serve the club and the youth of Coronado. Each is indeed a ‘Friend of Youth’, the Optimist Motto.
Helping Wounded Warriors
Photo: Betty Michalewicz and Stan Searfus
It began when an injured Army soldier who lost an arm and a leg said, “I’d like to go surfing again.” From that moment, Betty Michalewicz, Director of the Rehabilitation Through Sports Program at the Naval Medical Center SD, decided to add surfing to the sports activities she led. It was in the surfing project that she met Stan Searfus, Coronado Optimist Club member, avid surfer, and coach of the CMS Surf Club. This resulted in the Thursday morning surfing rehabilitation activities led by these two remarkable individuals.
Betty reported that between 35-40 surfers take part in the Thursday morning rehab sessions that she calls, “Ocean Therapy”. The strenuous exercise can be exhausting and that promotes nightly sleep, also very important. She emphasized that this form of exercise is physically, emotionally and spiritually healing and that these attributes occur automatically during the exercise.
This program is so important that the Navy Hospital recognizes this by giving sports rehab activities the same priority as medical appointments for the injured warriors. We salute Betty and Stan and wounded warriors that have served and continue to serve our nation.
Welcome To Our Newest Members Roger Hayden and Elias Rivera!
Two new members were inducted into the Optimist Club. Roger Hayden (2nd from left) and Elias Rivera (far right).