Royal Oak Optimist Club
The Mission of the Royal Oak Optimist Club
To Bring Out The Best In Kids By Providing Hope And A Positive Vision
Join Us In Our Mission
Donate to the Royal Oak Optimist Club via this secure PayPal link
Abigail Woodruff, a 7th grade student from Royal Oak Middle School who won the club Oratorical Contest, and won the Michigan District Area 4 Oratorical Contest, also won the Michigan District Optimist Oratorical Contest and a $2,500 scholarship on Saturday May 17th.
Abagail, pictured on the far right, moves on the Optimist International Regional Oratorical Contest in St. Louis, MO on July 17th, where she will compete against the winners from the Optimist Districts that make up the Northeast-Great Lakes Region for a $5,000 scholarship.
The Regional winners (there are nine Regions) move on to the Optimist International World Oratorical Championships on July 18th where the 1st Place Winner receives a $15,000 scholarship, 2nd place receives a $10,000 scholarship and 3rd place receives a $5,000 scholarship. The scholarships are funded by the Optimist International Foundation and the Canadian Children’s Optimist Foundation.
The Oratorical Contest which began in 1928 is the longest running program of optimist International which was founded in 1919.
Congratulations to CasSwastek, shown here accepting the 2025-26 Royal Oak Optimist of the Year Award from last year’s winner Dawne Ripinski.
Congratulations to Marc Katz on winning the Royal Oak Optimist 2025-26 President Citation Award
Programs (meetings are held 7:15am Wednesdays at National Coney Island, Main Street just north of 12-Mile in Royal Oak)
October 7th - Business Meeting
October 14th - Bear Hug Detroit - Kevin Mamon
October 21st - Welcome Inn - meeting at the Welcome Inn at 13-Mile and Crooks
October 28th - Robin Kripli - Over a Hundred Year Reunion
November 4th - Business Meeting
November 11th - Delphine Klaput - 102-years-old Rosie the Riveter (evening meeting - venue tbd)
November 18th - Youth Appreciation at the Metro Detroit Youth Clubs
November 25th - Casual Meeting
December 2nd - Business Meeting
December 9th - Tom Toggweiler - President of the Royal Oak Historical Society (evening meeting - venue tbd)
December - 16th - tbd
December 23rd - Casual Meeting
December 30th - Csual Meeting
Anniversaries
Randy Booden - 27 Years
Allen Pruner - 20 Years
Sam McKnight - 12 Years
Bob Joseph - 1 Year
Fred Meinberg - 41 Years
Bonnie Bourque - 27 Years
Dawne Ripinski - 25 Years
Cas Swastek - 9 Years
2026 Royal Oak Optimist Club
Student Photography Contest
Royal Oak Optimist Bicycle Helmet Program
Norup Elementary—Oak Park
Keller Elementary—Royal Oak
Pattengill Elementary—Berkley
Thanks to Allen Pruner and Rick Bremer for once again spearheading the Royal Oak Optimist Club Bicycle Helmet Program for 2026. Helmets were distributed to third graders in Royal Oak, Berkley and Oak Park. Thanks also to Kathy Bremer, Robin Kripli, Marc Katz and Dawne & Mike Ripinski for their work in support of Allen and Rick.
Optimist Park 2025 Spring Cleanup
Thanks to Allen Pruner for once again leading the charge at the 2025 Optimist Park Spring Cleanup. Thanks also to Matt Wickey, Patti Shafer, Mike Ripinski and Rick Bremer who all pitched in.
The Royal Oak Optimist Club marched and rode in the 2025 Royal Oak Memorial Day Parade. Pictured in the car are driver Cas Swastek, David Richards, Dawne Ripinski, and Marc Katz. Also participating were Matt Wickey and his daughter as well as Mike Ripinski and our club’s newest member—Lynn Hale.