For the second time in the history of Junior Optimist Octagon International (JOOI), Anguilla has had the largest delegation ever, in attendance at an international convention. Participants were drawn from four of the island’s seven JOOI Clubs, namely, the Super Stars, Kids for the Future and Innocent Minds Junior Optimist Clubs and the Progressive Youth Octagon Club.
The contingent of 27 strong – 21 children and 6 adults – under the leadership of convention coordinator Optimist Emma Ferguson, and JOOI Committee Chairperson Optimist Avon Carty, left the island on Thursday 3 July for San Diego, California. The young Optimists were exposed to community service in the form of a beach clean-up, training on leadership, the value of selfless service, how to run meetings and fundraising. The highlights of the convention were the elections for the International JOOI Board and the President’s Banquet and Dance.
During the President’s Banquet, five young Anguillians were awarded Personal Growth and Involvement (PGI) medallions for their outstanding work in their respective Clubs. They were President D’ Kaelen Richardson and Franchesca Hodge from the Kids for the Future Junior Optimist Club and President Danell Connor, Justane Carty and Quanisha Wilson from the Super Stars Junior Optimist Club. President of the Optimist Club of Anguilla, Optimist Charmaine Rey-Richardson congratulated the Advisors and Junior Optimists saying “I am proud of you all. Keep up the good work!”
Also included in the trip’s itinerary was a visit to the San Diego Zoo, Sea World and the water park, Aquatica. Over all, the children all had an amazing experience at the convention as well as the additional activities planned for their educational and entertainment benefit. Many of them are already making plans to attend the 2015 International Convention slated for New Orleans, Louisiana.
JOOI Committee Chairperson, Optimist Avon Carty, wishes to extend thanks to Advisor Emma Ferguson without whose hard work, Anguilla’s attendance at the convention would not have been possible. Thanks are also being extended to Optimist Advisors Andrea Benjamin and Deborah Wynter as well as parents Jane Carty and Imogene Connor who all worked so hard to make this a memorable and fulfilling experience for the JOOI children.
The exhausted but happy Optimists returned home on Sunday 13 July 2014.
– Contributed
