Meeting Recap

Dan Sage gave the invocation and led the pledge.

School Supply Drive

Ravi and Jeet talked about the firefighter turnout gear that is being donated, and will be shipped to Guyana.  The equipment will take one and a half pallets.  To fill the second pallet there is room for 50 back to school kits for students aged 12-15 in a very remote secondary school.  The items that would be helpful include: Notebooks & loose-leaf paper, Folders & binders (including zip-up binders / trapper keepers), Pens, pencils, highlighters, colored pencils, Pencil pouches, Rulers, Backpacks, Calculators, Lunch boxes, Graph paper.  Ravi and Jeet will be driving the supplies to New York to be shipped the first week in December, so please bring supplies tomorrow, or December 5th at the latest.

Students

Last Friday, we welcomed AP Research teacher Joe Graham, co-teacher Caroline McKnight, and a group of students who are completing the second course of the AP Capstone program. In AP Research, students identify a gap in existing scholarship, design a study, and produce a 5,000-word paper. Only 12 students at the high school take on this advanced track, and their visit gave our club a look at the wide range of projects they are pursuing.

Students shared brief summaries of their topics, including: cultural perceptions of male hair; how local government strength shapes youth views of the federal government; perception gaps in student partner selection; whether caffeine should qualify as a banned performance enhancer; workplace accommodations for adults with dyslexia; motivations for eco-tourism in climate-impacted areas; the role of hope and mental toughness in athletic performance; how posture affects stress and critical thinking; and how biomechanics relate to injury rates. Completing the course with a qualifying score can earn them the AP Capstone Diploma from the College Board.

Speaker

Ashley Figuish - Special Olympics

Last Friday, we welcomed Ashley Figuish, a longtime Special Olympics athlete, joined by her mother Karen Figuish, Debbie Gizzi, and representatives from the Strongsville City Club—Matt Finkler and Drew Kuzmickas.

Ashley shared her experience participating in Special Olympics since age five, including bowling, basketball, swimming, and cycling, with bowling as her favorite. She also noted her involvement in athlete leadership.

Following Ashley’s remarks, Debbie Gizzi provided additional context about the impact of Special Olympics on local athletes and their families. Representatives from the Strongsville City Club then outlined their ongoing support, including funding for travel, equipment, and partnerships with Strongsville City Schools to assist with transportation during each sports season. Approximately 155 athletes participate across sports such as basketball, golf, swimming, and track and field.

The group introduced a new Special Olympics cookbook, created by athletes, families, and supporters as a fundraising project. Copies were available after the meeting, with proceeds of the 21 sold at the meeting benefiting local Special Olympics programs.