Optimists present Bohlken Awards

SUBMITTED BY THE MARYVILLE OPTIMIST CLUB
Maryville Optimists present the Bohlken Awards. Shown from left are Mary Shields, Maryville Optimist Club president; Nicole McGinness, award winner; Amy Moutray Wolf, award winner; and Julie Filips, Optimist essay chair.

MARYVILLE, Mo. — For giving their time and effort to help others, the Maryville Optimist Club presented the annual Bohlken Awards to Nicole McGinness and Amy Moutray Wolf on Nov. 20.

McGinness, an English teacher at Maryville High School, promotes the Optimist Club’s essay contest in her classroom.

Wolf, the CAPS coordinator at Maryville High School, used her technology skills to help record a speech that won the Optimist Club’s state essay contest and a $2,500 scholarship.

The Bohlken Award was established in 2023 by Robert Bohlken and his wife, Mary, who wanted to recognize community members giving their time and effort to help others. Named “YOU Make a Difference,” the Bohlkens picked out a design and engraved the award that is given annually. A special monetary fund allowed awards to be given to nominees chosen by the Optimist members.

Robert Bohlken died earlier this year, but the award is still given to honor the dedication that he and Mary have given to the Maryville Optimist Club throughout the years.

Last year, Diane Houston and Virginia Ripple received the award. Houston volunteered to help the Optimists in the concession stand at Northwest Missouri State University football games. Ripple is the secretary at the First Christian Church and helps schedule meeting dates for the club.

In 2023, Bayo Joachim, Sam Ferris, Marty Nolte and Heather Stoecklein were the recipients. Joachim and Ferris give countless hours to help judge the Optimist Club Speech Contest, while Nolte coaches the middle school students for the contest. Stoecklein has sponsored the Maryville High School Octagon Club with more than 50 members.