CARTER SINCLAIR
2024-2025 Junior Optimist
International President
Hello fellow Junior Optimists!
I am Carter Sinclair, your 2024-25 Junior Optimist President. I am from the great state of Iowa and am a member of the Wayne-Corydon Junior Optimist Club. I have served as Club Secretary/Treasurer and President, District Secretary/Treasurer and Governor, and was on the International Board of Directors for the 2023-24 year. I also obtained my Gold Level PGI in my second year of the Junior Optimists.
I took note of all your concerns that you have brought to me and my board during the convention. My plan this year is to x those concerns. We will keep clubs and districts updated on what is happening on the international side of things, we will provide ways to reach out to other districts and clubs around you, and we will open new clubs across the globe. Past President Mason’s theme was Building Bridges through Optimism, and I hope to continue Building Bridges through my year as president.
As a society we have lost our sense of purpose, and the ideals and tenants of the Optimists can provide people a sense of purpose. If we see someone struggling, help them by giving them optimism and a purpose. When we help people, we also help ourselves, we build our character, shape our worldview, and we learn more about ourselves and each other.
MASON MCSWEGIN Past President
Hello everyone! My name is Mason McSwegin, and I am your Immediate Past International President. I am from Dayton, Ohio and I am currently a senior at the Dayton Regional STEM School. I have been in this organization for over 8 years and have served in the roles of Club president, Lieutenant Governor and International President, as well as on the International Board of Directors.
I am so honored to have been your international president, and I am so thankful for my board and all of you fellow optimists for supporting me on the journey of building bridges. Because of you, we were able to charter 40 new clubs with 433 charter members! I look forward to supporting President Carter and the new board on all their endeavors.
SRI BALAJI Director
Hi everyone! My name is Sri Balaji, and I am a senior at North Farmington High School in Farmington Hills, Michigan. My JOI journey began in my freshman year of high school when I joined my school’s club and became its vice-president. Over the next couple years, I became Co-President of my school’s JOI club, and our board worked together to grow our club from its 5 initial members to the now over 40 active members present in the club today. We have partnered with the Detroit Zoo, local food banks and senior living facilities, and so much more, and I am very proud to say that we have left a substantial impact on the community around us.
Looking for an opportunity to further my involvement with JOI, I soon joined my District’s board as a Lieutenant Governor and Co-Governor of the Michigan District. As Co-Governor, my team and I were able to re-establish many severed lines of communication that were lost during the COVID-19 pandemic, plan a successful district convention, and raise money for an initiative to promote healthcare in Uganda (which also happens to be within the Michigan district–the more you know!).
This past summer, I campaigned and was elected as a Board of Directors member at the JOI Summit. This year, my goals are to have more opportunities for people’s voices to be heard within our organization, continue to work to improve the lives of people in need around us, and strengthen bonds between JOI Districts.
I look forward to getting to know you all and working together over the next year. Whether I see you over Zoom or in person at next year’s summit, don’t be scared to reach out! Stay optimistic and keep your head held high.
SYDNEY MAFONG Director
Hi Junior Optimists! My name is Sydney Mafong and I am an 11th grader at The Bishop’s School in La Jolla, California. I'm so excited to serve on the International Board of Directors this year.
I have been involved with JOI since 7th grade when I chartered a club at my middle school. I have also served as the District Governor of the California South District since 8th grade, overseeing 16 member clubs. I chartered another club in 9th grade at my high school. After having 4 years of experience at the club and district level, I wanted to continue to expand the reach of JOI. I was elected as an International Director last year and worked with the rest of the board to bring many changes to the organization. I was able to propose the JOI Promote Literacy Project at the 2024 JOI Summit in St. Louis, and I am so excited to help JOI Clubs worldwide implement this project. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to work at the international level again!
Being involved with JOI at the club and district levels has truly opened my eyes to the impact we, as Junior Optimists, have on each other and the community at large. My goal as an International Director is to continue to find the qualities that bind us and use our diversity to reach out to more communities. If we are all dedicated to discovering the things that connect us and lifting our communities, we will continue to expand the reach and impact of JOI.
I am committed to listening to your thoughts and opinions and being a representative of your ideas. My email and DMs are always open! I am looking forward to meeting all of you, whether in person or on Zoom. This is going to be a great year!
SHELBY LARACY Director
Hello fellow Junior Optimists and Optimists alike! My name is Shelby Laracy, and I am from Oakville, Ontario, Canada, where I’m currently navigating my Grade 12 year with a mix of enthusiasm and a sprinkle of caffeine! My journey with the Oakville Junior Optimist Club has been nothing short of incredible. I've had the privilege of serving as Club Vice-President, President, and Central Ontario Governor, and I’m currently the Club Secretary. Each role has been a steppingstone, teaching me the importance of community and leadership.
I am truly honored to serve you as one of your International Directors for the 2024/2025 JOI year. My experience with JOI has shaped my belief that we should “talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.” Whether I’m advocating for my peers as a student senator, reflecting on my education as a past Harvard Summer Student or diving into my role as a student currently specializing in international law, development, and justice, I strive to embody this promise every day.
This year, my goal is focused on expansion – specifically, developing existing clubs and launching new ones in rural areas. As a proud Canadian, I believe our Junior Optimist Clubs have incredible potential, and I aim to enhance communication between Canadian clubs and Junior Optimist International. Together, we can grow, thrive, and give back to our communities in inspiring ways. After all, “to think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best” is what we strive for!
It was a genuine pleasure meeting so many passionate Junior Optimists from around the world at the 2024 Junior Optimist International Summit. Your stories and energy have fueled my excitement for the year ahead! With your support, I’m confident we can accomplish amazing things together.
Thank you for allowing me to be part of this wonderful journey. Here’s to a bright and optimistic year ahead!
MICAELA RICH
My name is Micaela Rich, and I’m so excited to be one of your International Board of Directors for the 2024-25 year!
I am from St Johns, Florida where I attend Creekside High School as a senior. I have been a part of Junior Optimist International for five years. I grew up in an Optimist family, but we are a part of a larger family through our district and Optimist International. I have served as President of Creekside High School JOI and as a past Distinguished-Honor President of JOI Around the World, the first virtual and international JOI club. At the district level, I am a past Secretary-Treasurer and am currently the North Florida District JOI Governor. This is my second term as one of your International Directors. I am also a recipient of the International Member of Excellence Award.
One of my main goals this year is to increase the rate of retention and transition of our members once they age out of JOI. I believe that the JOI Board working alongside the Optimist International staff and JOI Committee can involve our sponsor clubs to help bridge the gap between JOI and adult clubs. I believe in opportunities created by youth for youth.
I look forward to meeting all of you at the International Convention in 2025, and I am so grateful to be serving this organization with such an amazing group of people.
Junior Optimist International was officially formed in 1988. It is the umbrella organization which links the local Junior Optimist International Clubs and Members to others throughout the world. Much like Optimist International, Junior Optimist is governed by an International Board of Directors, as well as District Officers. From the Club level on up, Members have the opportunity to develop leadership and team building skills all while helping communities. Each year there is an International Convention, which gives Members the opportunity to share in the decision-making process of the organization, meet young people with similar interests and goals, grow from training seminars…...and have fun!
JOI Literacy Project
by Sydney Mafong, 2024-2025 JOI Board Director
At the 2024 JOI Summit in St. Louis, I had the opportunity to present the JOI Promote Literacy Project. Illiteracy is a huge issue; there are 781 million adults who are illiterate and about 40% of students in the United States cannot read at a basic level. I've always loved reading, so when I learned about the extent of illiteracy, I knew I had to take action. In the spring, I organized book drives at various local schools and libraries in San Diego and collected about 5,000 gently used books. Then, I donated the books to schools and children in under served areas of San Diego.
The joy on the kids' faces when they received these books was unforgettable. Their eyes lit up as they received books they could take home, and many of them eagerly shared what they were most excited to read. Seeing this impact in my community made me realize how powerful this initiative could be on a larger scale. This experience motivated me to present the project at the JOI Summit.
By implementing this project in JOI Clubs worldwide, we will be able to reach more communities that need support. I hope that by encouraging reading and supporting literacy, we
OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL YOUTH CONTESTS 2024-2025
ORATORICAL CONTEST
Beginning in 1928, the Oratorical Contest has become the longest-running program of Optimist International. The contest is designed for young people to gain experience in public speaking and provide them with an opportunity to compete for multiple college scholarships with a pre-assigned topic.
Topic
"How Optimism Has Guided Me Through Trying Times"
ESSAY CONTEST
The Essay Contest is sponsored by Optimist International to give young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live. The approach can encompass a young person’s personal experience, the experience of their country or a more historical perspective. In addition to developing skills for written expression, participants also have the opportunity to win a college scholarship!
One District Scholarship of $2,500
District Scholarships:
First Place: $2,500 • Second Place: $1,500 • Third Place: $1,000 with a chance to win up to $22,500 at the World Championships level
Topic
Topic
"How Optimism Has Guided Me Through Trying Times"
KIDS SPEAK OUT! SPEECH CONTEST
All young people can compete in the Optimist Oratorical Contest. The “Kids Speak Out” contest is a “pre-Oratorical” program that provides a more equitable competition for younger speakers.
“How Optimism Has Paved My Road to Success”
COMMUNICATION CONTEST FOR THE DEAF & HARD OF HEARING
This contest offers an opportunity for students who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing to present their thoughts in the community, gaining skills, which can only come from signing or speaking to a large audience. Patterned after the Optimist Oratorical Contest, the contest offers youth the chance to compete in speech or sign language with the chance to win a college scholarship.
One District Scholarship of $2,500
2024 JOI Scholarship Award Winners
Sammie Touhey
2024 JOI Achievement Award winner
Recognition of an Outstanding JOI Career
$2,000 scholarship
Hello everyone! My name is Sammie Touhey. I am seventeen years old and I am a senior at Centerville High School. I have lived in Dayton, Ohio, basically my whole life with my two brothers, dad, mom, and stepdad. I am currently in my seventh year as a member of Junior Optimist International, and I am finishing up my term as the Governor of the Ohio District while starting my term as president of the Centerville Octagon Club at my school. Outside of JOI, I am on the varsity soccer team at my high school, and I also do student athletic training for the wrestling and baseball teams. I plan to study nursing after high school and to become a pediatric nurse after college. I am beyond grateful for this award/scholarship because it helps me get one step closer to achieving my goals for the next few years. Thank you to the JOI Board of Directors and anyone else involved in creating and awarding this scholarship.
Eryn Mather
2024 JOI Outstanding JOI Member Award winner
In memory of Jack Ackerman, an Ohio advisor dedicated to the JOI Program who made a difference in many lives.
Thank you! I am so grateful to receive this scholarship.
I'm Eryn Mather, a 17-year-old senior from Highland, Michigan. A little about me — I love spending time with friends, watching movies, and being active in my community and school. Volunteering has been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember. I genuinely enjoy knowing that what I do makes a difference in people’s lives. Being part of JOI has opened up incredible opportunities and brought me some of my closest friends.
Spreading Optimism in Prior Lake
by Logyn Bottemiller, PR/Communications Officer
In the midst of our everyday chaotic lives, it can be easy to forget the impacts of optimism. At the Prior Lake High School Junior Optimist Club, we strive to bring positivity and service to all parts of our community. One standout example is our unique, monthly involvement with our Alpha Clubs. We currently work with two local elementary schools to offer young children the opportunity to engage in meaningful service projects, which are led by our high school optimist members. By doing so, we foster a foundation for optimism in these young communities as well as develop leaders in our high school club.
Typically, Alpha Clubs are advised by teachers, whereas ours are led by members of our high school club. Autumn Gallus and Nora DiLeva stepped up to fill these roles as Alpha club advisors who recruit a few other high school members to meet with roughly 20 children monthly. The children are in a program called Kids Company, which provides child care both before and after school. These amazing leaders create engaging and impactful service projects. One recent project they led was making friendship bracelets for Children’s Hospital. Four high school optimists interacted and helped the kids make their bracelets. These interactions allow students of different ages to collaborate. By visiting these children once a month, we establish meaningful connections and spread our optimistic impact. We help the young ones begin their JOI journey while building strong high school leaders.
2 02 4 J unior O pti mi st Int e r n a t i on a l
J OI Summi t
The JOI Summit, held in tandem with the Oratorical World Championships, was a whirlwind of activity and inspiration. The summit brought together a diverse group of high school students for fun outings and leadership development activities.
The summit provided a unique opportunity for these young leaders to network, learn from each other, and develop the skills they need to make a positive impact in their communities.
The highlights of the summit include:
A visit to the City Museum, housed in the former International Shoe Company building, a 600,000-square-foot warehouse. is place is a unique and imaginative destination that o ers an extraordinary experience for visitors of all ages. e museum is renowned for its creative use of salvaged materials, including old chimneys, salvaged bridges, construction cranes, and miles of tile mosaics.
A professional group leadership session called Restorative Practices: Harness Your Leadership Skills through the Use of Community Circles. Community circles are a core restorative practice where participants gather in a circle to engage in open dialogue, promoting equality, respect and active listening.
A visit to Wings of Hope, a global humanitarian organization that has served more than 50 countries and twice been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Wings of Hope provides free air transportation for patients requiring specialized medical care, delivers medical services, provides health education in remote areas around the world, and o ers hands-on educational programs in science, technology, engineering and math.
e President's banquet and dance, a glamorous masquerade ball where the 2024-2025 JOI President and Board of Directors were announced.
1. JOI members visit humanitarian aviation organization Wings of Hope on an excursion during the JOI Summit.
2. JOI members visit the Gateway Arch.
3. JOI members assemble hygiene kits for a local shelter
4. JOI members participate in a group teambuilding exercise on the campus of Saint Louis University
5. A Wings of Hope volunteer explains how an airplane’s control surfaces function during flight.
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Club showcases some of their club projects.
6: JOI members pose for a group photo outside the City Museum in downtown St. Louis.
7: The JOI president and immediate past president post for a photo during their visit to Wings of Hope.
Group team building fun.
JOI members participate in a Restorative Practices Leadership session during the JOI Summit.
SALT JOI
JOI members explore the City Museum.
2025 Junior Optimist International JOI Summit
JULY 17-20
SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, USA
Save The Date
The JOI Summit is an educational and inspirational 3-day program at Saint Louis University! The Saint Louis University Center for Global Citizenship hosts events aimed at helping the SLU community view the world from a more global perspective.
Key highlights include interactive peer focus groups, empowering young leaders through dynamic leadership and communication workshops, fostering community involvement and civic engagement, and building essential professional skills. Participants will also enjoy on-campus housing, participate in an o -site community service project, and engage in exciting team-building activities designed to inspire collaboration and personal growth.
Watch the 2024 JOI Summit Highight Video
The Optimist Creed
Promise Yourself
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
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