On the 28th of this past June, a group of seven Junior Optimists, and their advisor, got up bright and early to travel to Louisville, Kentucky, for the annual Junior Optimist International (JOI) Convention. The seven lucky Junior Optimists were: Abigail Proctor, President of the Progressive Youth Octagon Club and Lieutenant Governor of the Caribbean District; Tiandra Carty, Vice President of the Progressive Youth Octagon Club and Governor of the Caribbean District; Alysha Carty and Klein Harrigan, Directors of the Progressive Youth Octagon Club, and Adrianna Charles, Rhonica Connor and Solomon Bannister all members of the same club. Along with them was their trusty advisor, Avon Carty, without whom the group would have not been able to survive.
The Junior Optimists enjoyed workshop and training sessions during the convention and made many new friends from different delegations. Optimist Adrianna always had a ‘new best friend’ she would tell the others girls about. Optimists Klein and Solomon became social butterflies entertaining large groups of junior optimists and, of course, actively participating in the workshop cleverly named PUNograph.
Abigail and Tiandra were prepared for something special this convention. With her team of Anguillian junior optimists at her side, Abigail started her campaign in a bid to earn a spot in the International JOI board, with the theme ‘Let The Sunshine In’. Abigail handed out cards and bracelets and campaigned for three days in hopes of becoming an International Director of Junior Optimist International. On the last day of convention, elections were held, speeches were presented and hard questions had to be answered. The tensions rose among the seven candidates who were campaigning for the position. Only four of the seven would be voted in by the accredited delegates, and the announcement would be made at the President’s Banquet.
At the Banquet, the optimists were dressed to impress. Governor Tiandra Carty was presented with the very distinguished award of ‘Member of Excellence’ and was cheered on by her optimist colleagues as she gracefully received her award. Later that evening the directors were announced. After the first three names were called Optimist Abigail began to turn back to her cheesecake, when her name was called. It felt like a personal victory but it was an achievement that was shared by Governor Tiandra, her club members, and the Caribbean District.
Director Abby intends to serve the organization well and is surprised at the love she received at the convention. She is even being persuaded to run for international President in the upcoming year to which she says, “I’m hardly even a director yet.”
All the Junior Optimists had an experience to remember and have found a renewed passion for the organization. They are all excited and keen to return to the USA for the 2020 convention in Chicago. They were grateful to their parents who paid for their travel, their advisor, Optimist Avon, and their supporters especially Optimist Emma Ferguson and Optimist Gina Brooks who sent them messages of well wishes during their trip.
