Hunt, scramble and dash

Optimist of North Augusta, SC hosts annual Easter egg dash

This weekend, children throughout the US and Canada will be dashing, hunting and scrambling for eggs as many Optimist Clubs host one of their favorite activities: the Easter Egg Hunt.

Ask any Optimist Club spokesperson and they will say it's the best 60 seconds of the year. After weeks of planning and hours of setting up, the children arrive and wipe out the colorful, candy-filled eggs in record-breaking time. Smiles are seen all around as the kiddos claim their prizes and Optimist Club members and parents look on with delight.

The Optimist Club of Meridian, Idaho proudly claimed on its Easter egg scramble flyer that it is the 37th consecutive year to host the event. That's an important record to publish for it acknowledges that the Optimist Club has been strong and contributing to the community for a very long time. It signifies its staying power and demonstrates value in belonging to the Optimist Club. Don't be afraid to brag a little about your Optimist Club's commitment to those it serves.

So when the whistle blows this weekend, don't be looking the other way or you'll miss all the fun.

Photo credit: Derrek Asberry for The Star

It's never too late to recognize outstanding students

President Dick Kugler of the Breakfast
Optimist Club of Spartanburg, SC is
flanked by the Oratorical Contest
winners

I haven't posted Optimist International Oratorical Contest winners on the Experience Optimism blog this year because I started a Pinterest pin board for them instead. It is by no means complete and I would welcome any additions that you may have. Please share links and pictures with me (Linda Jackson) so that all of the wonderful student contestants may be recognized.

However, I decided to share a photo today to serve as both a reminder and a congratulations.

First, the students who participate in Optimist International and Optimist Club scholarship programs are brave young souls who deserve compliments and love for their speeches, essays and points of view. We think that they are all great and by choosing winners, we give all contestants something to strive for when they return next year. Over $150,000 is given away every year by the Optimist International Foundation for these contests. With more donated by individual Optimist Clubs, we think that promoting excellence in communication is well worth the effort.

The second reason for this post today is to give a shout-out to the students in this picture. Courtney Brink, Terin Tyson, Tara Ferris, Mackenzie Johnson, Jackson Erb and Cameron Hall were named the winners of the Breakfast Optimist Club of Spartanburg, South Carolina in April yet their pictures didn't appear in the paper until July 6. Thank you, students, we appreciate you!

And finally, if your club held a contest this year, but did not submit the information to your local paper - it is not too late! The students deserve the recognition and your Optimist Club will benefit from being associated with such young, high achievers. So go ahead, write a press release, include a picture, and submit it to your local newspaper today.

Photo courtesy of the Spartanburg, SC Breakfast Optimist Club. 

Sunglasses for all

The Grand Strand Optimist Club of Myrtle Beach got a little help from a local TV station to tell their story this week.  The club donated sunglasses to the children of the Miracle League baseball team. Not only did they get a lot of smiles as thank you's, they also got this great plug that encourages people to join the Optimist Club.

Art in the Park comes to Lynches River

According to the Optimist Club of Florence, South Carolina, one way to bring out the best in kids is to help them be creative. With less money available for the arts these days, the club has committed to provide hands on activities for children at this event that are very easy to take home and do on their own.  This is the second year for the Annual Art in the Park at Lynches River.  

Three outstanding volunteers receive honors

The West Ashley Optimist Club in South Carolina recognized three young ladies for being outstanding volunteers.  The twist - they were outstanding volunteers for organizations other than the Optimist Club. 

Shown here are  Samantha Shealy who volunteers at MUSC Children’s Hospital; Allison Wagenlander who volunteers at BonSecours - St. Francis Hospital; and Carolina Raycroft who volunteers at the South Carolina Aquarium.

The recognition came as part of Optimist International Youth Appreciation Week.  Through the Youth Appreciation program, Optimist Clubs around the world recognize students for doing good things in their community.  The criteria, award, and celebration is designed and bestowed upon the recipients by the local Optimist Club.

Photo submitted by the West Ashley Optimist Club.

Optimist Club and First Tee work together

The Optimist Club of Grand Strand, SC and The First Tee of Myrtle Beach combined forces to host a junior golf tournament on August 29.  They have shared a 3-minute video of the fun.