Monday 26 October 2015 – The Optimist Club of Anguilla conducted its 21st Hand Over Ceremony on 24 October 2015 at Flavours Restaurant, on Back Street, South Hill. The board selected to lead this youth-serving organisation in the upcoming year will be led by President, Avon Carty (serving for a second consecutive term) supported by Vice Presidents Ojeda Vanterpool and Kemoloy Murphy; Treasurer, Caroll Morton; Assistant Treasurer, Regine Niles; Secretary, Gina Brooks (serving for a second consecutive term); One Year Directors, Juline Hughes, Patricia Harrigan and Listrah Adams; and two year Directors, Vernicia Hodge, Emmica Thompson and Roxana Brooks. Honour Past President who may also sit on the Board is Optimist Charmaine Rey-Richardson.
Before the official hand over, 10 new members were inducted into the Club, many of whom now make up the 2015-2016 Board. The inductees were Listrah Adams, Roxana Brooks, Amethyst Davis, Tammy Gumbs, Vernicia Hodge, Jermaine Payne, Kemoloy Murphy, Regine Niles, Emmica Thomson and Ojeda Vanterpool. Three other new members who were unable to attend the ceremony are Talitha Webster, Kaira Richardson and Brittany Jeffers.
President Avon, in reviewing the past Optimist Year, listed highlights such as the organisation of Anguilla’s Race Against AIDS, the Club’s Anniversary and Awards Banquet, participation in the Caribbean District Oratorical Contest (where Anguilla’s Kevin Thompson placed 3rd), and the Mother-Daughter and Father-Son Prayer Breakfasts. She also noted that in spite of the less than ideal economic climate and other challenges that the club faced, 2014 – 2015 had been a good year. The Optimist Club of Anguilla was recognised by Optimist International as an Honour Club for the second consecutive year.
The highlight of the evening was the inspiring and thought-provoking feature address presented by Teacher Terron Azille of Adrian T. Hazell Primary School. Teacher Terron introduced himself by saying: “I am the second of 3 boys, I have one son who is 4 and a half years old and I am the teacher of 27 grade 6 boys, so I believe that I have profound experiences which will enable me to leave you with something meaningful this afternoon.” He had been asked to speak on the Topic: ‘Reaching and Teaching our Boys – How can we Succeed in this Effort.’ Tr Terron’s presentation resonated powerfully with persons present. Included in his many practical suggestions, he offered: “We have to be honest. We have to be real! We have to build relationships – relationships founded on trust. We have to be understanding and willing to change.”
The evening ended with a delicious meal, graciously served up by proprietor Mr Kirk Hughes and his staff. Optimists members left feeling renewed and ready to face the new year under the International theme ‘Optimists, bringing out the best in youth, in our communities and in ourselves, right here, right now!’
– Contributed
