Roseville students receive Optimist Club recognition
The Roseville Optimists are putting the spotlight on nearly 70 young students for good behavior. The children come from Steenland, Green, Fountain, Ament, Dort, Kaiser, and Patton elementary schools.
“As part of a Youth Appreciation project, the Optimist Club of Roseville will be honoring elementary students in Roseville as selected by their individual teachers,” Michael Batke, club secretary, said.
“A recognition program will be face to face this year with events scheduled for March 14 and March 21 at Roseville Middle School. The purpose of the program is to recognize the students of the community who truly have an optimistic outlook, care for their fellow students, reach out to help others, and demonstrate a cando positive attitude. The students will receive award certificates, and congratulatory lawn signs will be placed at their homes after the event,” Batke said.
“The Roseville Optimist Club has been recognizing elementary students for over 25 years and believes the event best demonstrates the reason to be an Optimist member. Youth Appreciation is the most popular program sponsored by clubs throughout Optimist International, with more than 2,000 clubs participating each year,” he said.
The students include Skylar-Nicole Alford, Jaydin Bakeman, Alyssa Donaldson, Evan Palowoda, James Pauling, Seoni Powell, Gabryelle Staas, Jeremiah Taylor, Savannah Taylor, Ri’nyah Andrews, Brooklynn Clark, Kortney Coleman, Jaina Davis, Benjamin LePage, Malik Lewis, Brooklynn Lewis, Raymell Moore, Ilena Pennell, Lilith Sears, Kylie Tabb, Martez Vinson, Jaida Watts-Pheasant, Kassidy Williams, Aliviah Boden, Kyleen Burgess, Kloey Dixon, Madison Elliot, De’Meire LeeHouse, Logan Luna, Paisley Mackenzie, Leah Manning, Kailynn Parker, Nehemiah Pearson, Aaliyah Sherrod, Bri’elle Turner, Terry Agbarha, Nilaya Belllamy, Aysha Mahmoud, Tony Owens, Myracle Pennington, Jameson Richards, Madison Rothenberg, Grace Taylor, Maraiyah Turner, Iszabelle Walker, Carter Green, Lily Harris, Faith Martin, Romero McCary Jr., Sydney Mills, Savannah Nieman, Kyle Sampson, Alexa Sutherland, Morgan Washington, Alaina Wheeler, Raina Carlson, Anthony Cream, Aubrey Defauw, Geneva Kennerly, Gianna Proventgas, DeShawn Simmons, River StevensonBackus, Madison Yang, Savanna Crum, D’Anthony Hutson, Lillian MacArthur, Esmeralda Matti, Liberty Williams, and Jessica Yang.
The program goes back to 1957 when Optimist International first celebrated Youth Appreciation Week on an international basis to recognize and commend children and teenagers for their accomplishments and good citizenship.
The Roseville Optimist Club has put on this program for more than 20 years, having honored more than 20,000 students.
A committee begins by sending letters to principals and teachers of each elementary school requesting that teachers read the Optimist Creed and pick one student in their class that best exemplifies the creed and write a short essay on why that child was chosen.
Parents and guests attend the ceremony. Principals call their students to the stage and shake hands, and their teacher reads their essay and takes photos. Each child goes home with a certificate of appreciation.
“This continues to be a great opportunity for the community and its leaders to recognize this special group of young people who contribute to their schools in a positive way and embody the spirit of an optimist,” Batke said.
Other programs and service projects the Roseville Optimist Club participates in are: student scholarship fundraising, childhood cancer campaigns, student oratorical contests, activity scholarships, and membership family fellowship activities.
For more information about the club, contact Batke at melwitko@sbcglobal.net.
USO-type show raises money for veterans
The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154 honor guard, The Point Team, opens a USO-type show by presenting the colors (flags), 7-10 p.m. Thursday, March 16 at Club 54, 37722 Van Dyke Ave., Sterling Heights.
The show was created and produced by the Purple Clover Supporting Our Troops and Veterans organization that was started by Cathy Odisho.
Attendees may order food from the restaurant and enjoy the Gary Greenfelder Orchestra, 1940s Big Band Swing music, and the Sterling Heights Arthur Murray Dancers performing Swing Dancing. Master of Ceremonies is FoxTV2 meteorologist Rich Luterman. The admission of $10 per person collected at the door goes to the orchestra. Donations collected at the event will go to the Wounded Warrior Project, and the John D. Dingell Veterans Affairs Medical Center hospital.
“In 1980, I was added to The Bob Hope USO Show Tour Troupe and was honored by Bob Hope himself for my contributions and talent,” Odisho said. “All performers donate their time and talent as well as pay their own travel expenses. As a 10-year veteran singer-performer, I do what I can to bring people together in a fun and worthy cause.”
For more information, contact Odisho at 586604-2562 or mollysdoggykisses@yahoo.com.
Legion celebrates 104th anniversary
On March 15, 1919, the first American Legion caucus, held by members of the American Expeditionary Force, convened in Paris. Posts celebrate with giant cakes and parties, dances and plays, dinners and concerts.
There are more than 100,000 Legion members in Michigan. Membership is open to certain veterans in the American Legion, and to others in the Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion.
The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress as a patriotic veterans organization committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to service members and veterans.
The Department of Michigan lists American Legion or Sons of the American Legion posts in Warren, Mount Clemens, Eastpointe-Roseville, St. Clair Shores and Sterling Heights.
Board seeks volunteer nominations
The Macomb County Board of Commissioners extended the date for nominations of people to be honored during April’s National Volunteer Recognition Month. Nominations are now due by 5 p.m. Friday, March 17. Service club members and veterans are often among those nominated or recognized. A nomination form is at bocmacomb.org/wpcontent/uploads/2023/02/Volunteer-NominationForm_Fillable.pdf.