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Spring 2005 • Official Publication of the Colorado-Wyoming District of Optimist International – Jim Brown, Governor |
| 100 teams battle for Brain Bowl Win | ||
 PTIMISTS HOSTEDmore than 100 teams at its annual Brain Bowl in late February at Thomas Jefferson High School in South Denver. Chair Rich Urbanowski, Sunrise Optimist Club, Lakewood, said some 120 teams from 46 different schools participated.
“That’s about 600 students in competition,” he noted. The schools represented 32 different towns, ranging from Casper and Newcastle, WY to Denver metro, Adams City, Wiggins, Kremmling and Granby, CO. Optimists from dozens of clubs throughout the district showed up to contribute and assist. In all, he reported, there were some 188 volunteers, including Optimists, educators from area schools and students from the TJ National Honor Society. |
Co-sponsors of the event were Denver University and Denver Public Schools. DU issued invitations to all middle schools in both states in early fall. The result was 144 team applications. Urbanowski indicated that the event could involve more students “if we had more room.” He said there is some consideration being given to sponsoring “regional” events, “but we need additional Optimist organizers to be the core event committees for any regional events.” He indicated that the potential organizers would need to participate in the present Brain Bowl to understand “how it all takes place.” Besides the myriad of clubs involved, Urbanowski issued thanks to the active planning committee: Connie Ackerman (DU), Clara Sitter and Kristin Rigby, South Platte |
Valley Optimist Club; Becky Muggli, DPS: Tom Mauro and Karl Geil, Monaco South; George Buzick, DTC, Rich Urbanowski, Sunrise Optimist of Lakewood; Lyndi Thomas, DU.
A special thanks to Bill Dendy, Buckingham Square Club, for his technical expertise in maintaining the “buzzers” and Rick Erikson, Buckingham Club, for coordinating scoring and runners. He noted that 28 clubs sent volunteers and 27 sent checks to help sponsor, accounting for participation from 38 different clubs in two states. As an adjunct to the event, Frank Middleton manned an information booth and signed up at least one new member. -Rich Urbanowski |
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BRAINBOWL FOR ALL. The annual Brain Bowl attracted some 600 students, 188 volunteers and representatives of the media as well. |
Tri-Star contest involves 144 |
Preview convention |
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| Tri-Star Basketball was scheduled to send some 144 talented youth to the District Final Tournament at Denver’s Pepsi Center April 4. The first three place finishers in 12 age/gender groups were invited to compete in the Nuggets Practice Gym that afternoon. Final winners were to be introduced at the Nuggets vs Seattle Supersonics game that evening. North Regional was March 5 in Windsor where 114 youth, 52 girls and 62 boys produced winning scores ranging from 75.5 points (8-year-old girl) to163.2 points by a 13-year-old boy. The 163.2 score is “basically a perfect score.” Winners were from Erie, Greeley, Longmont, Cheyenne, Lyons, Ft. Morgan, Kersey and Windsor. Phil White, Greeley Luncheon Club, coordinated the North Regional. South Regionals were March 12 in Pueblo, coordinated by Kevin Keilback of the Pueblo Optimist Club. He reports that thirty youngsters qualified for the finals. | The competition was sponsored by Optimist Club of Pueblo, Belmont Optimist Club, Optimist Club of Pueblo West and the Alamosa Optimist Club. East Metro Regionals was March 19 at the Boys/Girls Club Wilfley Branch, coordinated by Jack Rife of Monaco South. “We had about 70 participants,” Rife reports, representing five clubs: UHills, Monaco South, Tamarac, Northeast and South Denver Optimist Clubs. The regionals featured top competitors from six local competitions. They sent 36 to the Finals. Winners also received a Tri-Star T-shirt and trophy. West Metro Regionals were also March 19 at Lutheran High School in Denver, coordinated by Ron Bensen, Wheatridge Optimist Club. Phil White reports: “we had a great turnout… Nine clubs sent 109 competitors (45 girls and 64 boys). With scores ranging from 90.2 to 150.2 we have a full slate of 36 competitors going on to the District Finals at the Pepsi Center.” |
Plans are well under way for the district convention to be held August 25-28 at the Embassy Suites located in Denver at I70 and Havana. For a preview of the convention, join us at the third quarter board meeting at the same hotel on May 14th and 15th. The International President and his wife will be attending the third quarter board meeting. The hotel is offering us a room rate of $69 per night, which includes a fully cooked-to-order breakfast and a manager’s reception serving snacks and your favorite beverage. You must be a registered hotel guest to partake. Saturday May 14th will be a packed day. The District Oratorical contest will be held that day. The preliminary rounds will be in the morning and the finals will be held in the afternoon. A special luncheon in honor of the International President’s wife will be held in the Atrium at noon on Saturday. Be sure to make your reservation on the form enclosed (see page 7). Saturday evening will be the International President’s reception and dinner. Tickets for this event can be obtained from the Lt. Governors. The general session will be held on Sunday the 15th following the Ecumenical Service and breakfast on your own. After the general session, it is off to the ballpark to watch the Rockies play the Arizona Diamondbacks. Proceeds support our junior golf program. We hope that everyone will be able to attend all these events!! |