Awesome Optimists host the Awesome 3000

The Salem Optimist Club is gearing up for their biggest activity of the year, the Country Kids Relays. The big event takes place on May 18, 2013 when students 1st through 5th grades compete in a track meet comprised solely of relay races. 

Leading up to the event are several other smaller undertakings. Yesterday, May 4, 2013, found the Salem Optimist Club "herding" more than 3,000 kids around the course of the Awesome 3000. According to club secretary Arlen Hollinshead, at the end of the race, the Optimist's work wasn't done! They then donned latex gloves and trash bags and cleaned the grandstand area. "Is that dedication or what?" asks Arlen. 

Of course it is and that's why they are Optimist Club members! 

We'll be watching for more pictures and stories on race day. Good news for the Optimist Club...they expect about 150 additional volunteers for the Country Kids Relays, a project of Country Financial, the City of Salem Public Works Department Recreation Services and the Salem Optimist Club. 

The 39th Annual Country Kids Relays will take place on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at Willamette University's McCulloch Stadium. 

Thanks to the Salem Optimist Club for the picture.

Salem Optimist Club shows youth appreciation every month

Salem Optimist Club member Frank Masser
and Kelsey Nanneman

The Optimist Club of Salem, Oregon celebrates Youth Appreciation throughout the school year. For January  2013, they will recognize students for for achievement in mathematics and science. 

At their most recent luncheon, club members met and honored Kelsey Nanneman, Senior, Blanchet Catholic High School. Gifted in mathematics, Kelsey completed the courses offered at Blanchet as a sophomore and has been taking courses at Willamette University for two years.  She has also excelled in other courses and is a member of the swim team. 

Kelsey also believes in community service and is involved with "Love Reins," a nonprofit group that provides horse therapy for disabled children. 

After high school, Kelsey hopes to attend Brown or Rice University where she plans to major in biomedical engineering. 

Congratulations, Kelsey, and great job, Salem Optimists. Thank you for making youth recognition an ongoing project. 

See more students at the Salem Optimist Club Facebook page. 

Salem Optimist Club recognizes students every month

In an effort to connect with students on a regular basis and to showcase some of their remarkable talents, the Optimist Club of Salem, Oregon has started a monthly recognition program. This month, Samantha Jackson, Alicia Zieg and Lorena Alvarez received awards. Lorena and Alicia received their awards for being most involved in community affairs and Samantha was the first time female award winner in vocation technology. Congratulations!

You can see the monthly choices by liking the Salem Optimist Club's page on Facebook.

Please send us links and pictures of how your Optimist Club recognizes students and youth in your community. And don't forget to like our PNW District page on Facebook too. Thanks!

Salem Optimists honor 5 students at Youth Appreciation Day

Salem Optimist Club
Youth Appreciation Day

The Optimist Club of Salem honored five students at Youth Appreciation Day on December 9. Recognized for achievement in fine and performing arts were Derrick Holmes, Nick Bailon,  Abby Brockamp,  Rosita Olaide and Brandon Conrad.

The Salem Optimist Club shared the following story about the students on their Facebook page .

Paul Negstad, chairperson for youth appreciation for many years, shared the emcee role with club president Calvin Steck. Three boys and two girls received plaques and a cash award at the ceremony's conclusion.

Senior Derrick Holmes of Chemawa Indian School is a member of the Hopi tribe in Arizona. He sings and dances with a performing arts group, and also is a student lead in his second year at Chemawa. Derrick intends to attend Arizona State University, major in engineering or architecture and then return to his tribe.

McKay's honoree, Nick Bailon, is a sophomore who both plays cello and makes pottery. His first chair in botht eh McKay and Salem Youth Symphony Orchestrats. Called "an original thinker" by his potter teacher, Nick is in four advance-placement classes. His mother, Lisa Garcia, joined Nick at the luncheon.

Abby Brockamp of North Salem has won first place two years running in district choral competition. A junior, Abby is a soprano who sings in her church choir and directs a choir at girls camp. She is vice president of Norths' Concert choir. Abby's mother, Tammy, was a luncheon Guest.

"She is the embodiment of our choir program." That's how Spraque senior Rosita Olaide was described by directory David Brown. Rosita told the luncheon crowd that she wants to go to Chemeketa Community College and study psychology. At some point, Rosita added, she plans to take over her parent's business, which is a prison drug and alcohol treatment consulting firm.

Brandon Conrad, a senior at Western Mennonite School, told luncheon attendees that he participates in every musical thing at the school. For example, Brandon is in the Jazz band, a cappella choir, and the lead in a musical. Brandon heads the worship team in chapel and he plays the guitar as well as the bass and piano. He is hoping to attend Seattle Pacific University and major in music.

What a nice honor!

Salem Optimist Club lands a big sponsor for the Kids Relays

One of the Salem Optimist Clubs signature events is the Kids Relays, a one-day field day that they organize with the Salem Parks and Recreation Department. When other groups backed out of the event in recent years, the Optimist Club was there to take up the slack and ensure that the event went on as planned.

This year they are proud to announce a presenting sponsor for the event: Country Financial. The event will now be known as the Country Kids Relays.

“After supporting the relays for 17 years, we are proud to be the presenting sponsor,” says John Jolliff, Western Region vice president of operations. “At COUNTRY, teamwork comes naturally as we help our clients achieve financial security, and it’s truly a team effort to continue bringing this event to our community.”

The team effort will continue with the City of Salem and the Salem Optimist Club. Country Kids Relays will be held on May 8, 2010 at he Willamette University McCulloch Stadium. Find out more at the Country Kids Relays website.

Rock on Salem

The Salem Optimist Club is promoting the Rock Band Showdown to be held on February 27, 6:00 pm at 299 Cottage St. NE Salem, 97301. 

Optimist Club President John Chamberlain hopes this will become an annual event.  They are working in cooperation with the Salem-Keizer Schools and an established after school activity that is held in each school.  The Rock Band Showdown will bring a little competition and fun between the schools.  Two teams from six schools are planning to attend the event. Trophies and prizes will be awarded.

To find out more, please contact John Chamberlain at (503) 949-2744.

Salem Optimist Club sponsors D.A.R.E.

Nice!  I didn't know that any of our Optimist Clubs were still sponsoring the D.A.R.E program.  Thank you to the Optimist Club of Salem, Oregon for keeping it alive and well in your community.

Led by Senior Officer Craig Seibel, the Salem Police Department interacts with students in the Salem-Keizer School District to teach responsibility, how to resist peer pressure and avoid alcohol, tobacco and subtance abuse.  They also practice the updated program keepin it Real (kiR) to reach students in grades 6-9.