2025 Optimist Magazine – Signature Programs Special Issue

Optimist Golf Builds Champions

2025 Visual Arts Contest Notecards

We're thrilled to announce that beautiful notecards featuring artwork from the Optimist International Visual Arts Contest are now available for purchase! These notecards showcase the incredible talent of young artists and their inspiring interpretations of the theme "Bringing Out the Best." Each pack includes 12 cards with unique designs and envelopes, all for just $12.

These notecards are perfect for personal use or as a thoughtful gift for fellow Optimists, friends, and family. By purchasing a set, you'll not only be supporting the artistic development of young people but also spreading the message of Optimism throughout your community!

MISSION STATEMENT

By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in youth, our communities, and ourselves.

VISION STATEMENT

Optimist International will be recognized worldwide as the premier volunteer organization that values all children and helps them develop to their full potential.

CORE VALUES

Optimism

Optimism is at the heart of everything we do.

We foster a shared sense of hope and resilience. We encourage positive action within ourselves and our communities and persist through difficulties with the belief we can create meaningful change, ensuring that we and those we serve can reach our fullest potential.

Respect

Through respectful interactions we value the unique contributions and inherent worth of every individual. We honor all people with dignity, compassion and care by embracing diversity and fostering a culture of inclusion.

Integrity

We uphold the highest standards of honesty, ethics and transparency in everything we do. We are accountable for our actions and follow through on our commitments. We conduct ourselves in all actions by doing what is right, even when it is difficult. We set a positive example and inspire others to follow.

Global Community

We embrace diversity, interconnectedness and shared humanity across all cultures, beliefs and borders. Our commitment to the global community encourages us to think beyond local solutions and consider the broader impact of our actions. By nurturing a spirit of cooperation and empathy, we work towards a better world together.

PURPOSES OF OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL

To develop optimism as a philosophy of life utilizing the tenets of the Optimist Creed; to promote an active interest in good government and civic affairs; to inspire respect for the law; to promote patriotism and work for international agreement and friendship among all people; to aid and encourage the development of youth, in the belief that the giving of one’s self in service to others will advance the well-being of humankind, community life, and the world.

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.

Features

Optimist

The Official Publication of Optimist International

Managing Editor Cheryl Brenn

Editor J. Ryne Danielson

Designer Jason Cook

Editorial Office 4494 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108 Office (314) 371-6000 Fax (314) 371-6006

Email magazine@optimist.org

Generous support from the Optimist International Foundation made this publication possible.

Optimist (ISSN 1085-5017) (CPN 40032242) (USPS 808-320) is published quarterly in Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer by Optimist International, 4494 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108, a non-profit and incorporated association of Optimist Clubs in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. Periodicals posted at St. Louis, MO, and at additional mailing offices. Digital periodicals posted online at Optimist.org.

POSTMASTER:

Send address changes to The Optimist, 4494 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108.

© Copyright 2025

President Jan Reflects on a Year of Bringing Out the Best

As her 2024-2025 term as International President comes to a close, Jan Oord Graves leaves us with a message of gratitude and optimism for the future.

Reflecting on a year spent visiting clubs around the world, she thanks her fellow Optimists who spread joy and optimism in their communities, bringing out the best in youth, communities and themselves through their unwavering dedication.

Throughout her travels, she was continually inspired by the stories shared by her fellow Optimists, and she cherishes both old friendships rekindled and new ones forged along the way.

President Jan also extends her gratitude to the committee chairs, members, and staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes, providing the

essential resources and support that enable our clubs to thrive.

Looking ahead, her hope is for every Optimist to carry forward the momentum of the past year. Her final message is a powerful call to action: "keep it going for the youth" and remember that the love and commitment of each member is what truly makes a difference.

Calendar of Events

A look at what’s coming up for Optimist International

OCTOBER

• Optimist New Year

• Q1 Oct/Nov/Dec

NOVEMBER

• Optimist Junior Golf: Tournament of Champions

• Optimist International Board of Director’s Meeting

• World Kindness Day

• Giving Tuesday

DECEMBER

• Junior Golf: Hugh Cranford All Scholastic Scholarship Application Opens

• Club of the Year submissions due

CLICK HERE to see the calendar of upcoming events on the website

Upcoming Webinars

 Monday, October 13, 7:00-8:00 p.m. CDT Are you ready to shape the future of Optimism? Join Optimist International President Tom Kendo as he unveils his vision for the 2025-2026 Optimist Year!

In this can't-miss webinar, you'll learn about powerful new membership incentives and get an inside look at the upcoming growth blitz. This is your chance to “Be the Change!” Sponsored by the OI 2025-2026 Leadership Development Committee. Click here to register

A Season of Success: The 2025 Optimist International Junior Golf Championships

The 30th edition of the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships was a resounding success, creating an unforgettable experience for golfers and their families from around the globe. With 627 golfers from 32 countries, 53 Optimist Qualifiers, and collaboration with 22 International Federations, this year's tournament showcased incredible international talent and sportsmanship.

A special congratulations goes to Tristan Buenteo from the Boys 10-11 division for scoring a holein-one!

Beyond the competition, highlights included the long drive competition, glow ball, a college coaches panel, and the ever-popular parent-child tournaments. We also proudly announced the 2025 Hugh Cranford All-Scholastic Team, which exemplifies an impressive balance of academics, golf, and community service.

This year's honorees are:

The impact of our Junior Golf program continues to be seen at the highest levels of the sport. This July, past participant Scottie Scheffler (2007) won The Open, while Chris Gotterup (2015) won the Genesis Scottish Open.

A heartfelt thank you to our District Chairs, cochairs, and the hundreds of dedicated volunteers who organized qualifiers and worked tirelessly on-site. It’s through the efforts of our entire team that we continue to ensure the program’s success.

2025 JOI Summit Inspiring the Next Generation:

The 2025 Junior Optimist International (JOI) Summit at Saint Louis University was nothing short of inspiring. This year, 74 young Optimists and 24 adult advisors gathered for a dynamic four-day event filled with energy, learning, and connection. Together, these young leaders embraced the opportunity to grow, serve, and dream big about the future they are creating.

Hands-On Service in the Community

A centerpiece of the Summit was the collaboration with Seed St. Louis, a local nonprofit. Attendees worked hands-on in five community gardens across the city. More than just a morning of mulching and weeding, the experience reflected Seed St. Louis’s mission to connect people to the land and each other through urban agriculture. The project highlighted how community gardens can combat food insecurity, foster healthier lifestyles, and strengthen neighborhoods.

Building Skills and Sharing Visions

Throughout the Summit, participants took part in professional youth character-building breakout sessions developed in partnership with CharacterPlus, a leading organization in character education. These sessions were designed to build confidence, sharpen leadership skills, and spark innovative ideas for future service projects.

The “JOI Shark Tank” pitch gave young leaders an exciting platform to boldly share their visions for meaningful service projects with a panel of “sharks” — the JOI Board. The presenting groups brought incredible passion and creativity to the stage, showcasing service ideas that were both innovative and deeply inspiring.

Attendees also gained valuable insight from keynote speaker Dave Daughton, whose powerful message on servant leadership challenged them to lift others up and create a ripple effect of kindness and service. Along the way, they built lifelong friendships and collaborative networks that will continue to inspire them long after the event.

2024-2025

JOI President and Board of Directors

Carter Sinclair, President Allerton, Iowa

Mason McSwegin, Immediate Past President Dayton, Ohio

Sri Balaji, Director Farmington Hills, Michigan

Shelby Laracy, Director Oakville, Ontario

Sydney Mafong, Director San Diego, California

Micaela Rich, Director St. Johns, Florida

A special thank you to the extraordinary donors whose generosity through the Optimist International Foundation’s JOIful Giving Campaign made this summit possible. Your support fuels these life-changing programs and inspires young leaders to serve their communities with optimism and purpose!

OWLS

MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LOCAL SCHOOLS WITH Optimists Working for Learning Success (OWLS)

Many of our Clubs are already doing incredible work in partnership with local schools, but what if there was a way to highlight and amplify that impact? That’s the goal of our newest signature program, OWLS — Optimists Working for Learning Success.

The OWLS program serves as an educational umbrella, helping us track our collective engagement and impact in schools and communities. It provides a focus for Clubs looking for a Signature Program and is a wonderful tool for membership recruitment. By creating an official framework, we can develop stronger partnerships with schools and eventually earn endorsements from national educational associations, becoming the premier service organization supporting local schools.

OWLS projects can include a wide range of activities your Club may already be doing, such as:

· Mentoring and tutoring

· Providing school supplies, hygiene items, or weekend food packages

· Chaperoning field trips, judging science fairs, or conducting mock interviews

To support these valuable projects, your Club can consider obtaining funding from our foundations— the Optimist International Foundation (OIF) and the Canadian Children’s Optimist Foundation (CCOF). For more information on eligibility and how to apply, please visit the links below:

Ready to get started? The path to launching an OWLS program in your community is straightforward:

1. Research & Prepare: Identify local schools and determine your Club’s capacity and focus. Prioritize 3 key areas where your Club can assist.

2. Build Relationships: Reach out to school leaders to discuss how you can work together. To help with your initial outreach, download our customizable email template here.

3. Implement: Launch your first activity, monitor its progress, and collect feedback to ensure its success.

By uniting under this initiative, we can create a safe, comfortable, and productive environment for students everywhere. Let's work together to help our students succeed!

Welcome New Members

Since the beginning of the Optimist year in October, Optimist International has welcomed 4,526 new Members and created 21 new Clubs around the world. If you’re one of those new Members, or part of a new Club, welcome! Each of you brings valuable skills and fresh ideas to our organization, and we’re grateful for your desire to bring out the best in youth, communities and yourselves.

Welcome to Optimist International, a community-service nonprofit committed to creating a more optimistic future through our many innovative programs. You are joining a global network of more than 50,000 Optimists who share your passion for making a difference.

We hope you enjoy your Membership! And remember, you’re not alone in your journey. Our international staff is here to answer your questions, provide marketing and communications support, and help with any issues you encounter.

Thank you for being an Optimist!

• Scholarship Programs: Optimist International sponsors several scholarship contests for students, such as the Essay Contest, Oratorical Contest, and Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. These contests provide opportunities for young people to showcase their talents and win educational scholarships. You can help organize and promote these contests in your local community and support the winners as they advance in their academic and professional careers.

• Junior Optimist International: Junior Optimist International (JOI) is the youth branch of Optimist International, which empowers students to become leaders and volunteers in their communities. JOI Clubs are typically sponsored by Optimist Clubs but operate independently, with their own officers and projects. As an Optimist Member, you can mentor and guide JOI Members and help them develop their skills and potential.

• Optimist Junior Golf: Optimist Junior Golf is one of the largest and most prestigious junior golf events in the world, attracting thousands of participants from more than 40 countries. Optimist Clubs host

qualifying tournaments for junior golfers, who can advance to the annual Optimist International Junior Golf Championship in Miami, Florida. You can get involved in this program by volunteering at local tournaments, sponsoring golfers, or playing in our parent-child tournament.

• Leadership Development: Optimist International provides various resources and opportunities for personal and leadership development. Through the Optimist Institute, you can access online courses, webinars and workshops on topics such as communication, teamwork and project management. You can also take on leadership roles at the Club, District, or international level and gain valuable experience and recognition.

These are just some of the programs that Optimist International offers. We hope you also participate in our other community activities, and we look forward to seeing you at our next International Convention, scheduled for June 28-July 2, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL!

Voices That Inspire: Highlights from the 2025 Oratorical World Championships

The 2025 Oratorical World Championships (OWC) once again demonstrated the power of young voices to inspire change, promote optimism, and build global connections. Supported by the generous donors of the Optimist International Foundation and the Canadian Children’s Optimist Foundation, this year’s competition gave students a meaningful platform to share their perspectives on the theme, “How Optimism Has Guided Me Through Trying Times.”

The journey to the OWC began at the local level, where over 10,000 students participated in contests sponsored by local Optimist Clubs. Winners advanced through 42 district competitions, 6 French sector competitions, and a Global Region competition to earn a spot on the world stage.

This year’s finalists represented nine world regions and hailed from six countries — the United States, Canada, Barbados, Nepal, Haiti, and South Korea — showcasing the truly international reach of our youth programs.

First Place ($15,000): Noémie Beauchamp (St. Lawrence Regional Winner, $5,000) Quebec West District

Second Place ($10,000): Rene Cruz (West Coast Regional Winner, $5,000) Arizona District

Third Place ($5,000): Riya Naroor (Northeast & Great Lakes Regional Winner, $5,000) Ohio District

Riya Naroor

NE & Great Lakes Region

Helen Christen

Great Plains Region

Elliot Larsen

Mid-Atlantic Region

Ava Borrelli

Southeast Region

Rhoen Nevins

Southwest Region

Mercy Olaniyan

Middle America Region

Rene Cruz

West Coast Region

Noémie Beauchamp

St. Lawrence Region

Jang Ho Yoo

Global Region (South Korea)

12: Contestants watch their fellow speakers as they wait their turn to compete.

13:

pose for photos after the conclusion of the Oratorical World Championships.

from the Southwest Ontario District introduces herself to the audience at the conclusion of the Northeast and Great Lakes Region round while judges deliberate backstage.

scholarships are funded by the Optimist International Foundation and the Canadian Children’s Optimist Foundation. Their support allows

International to continue this great program since its start in 1928.

Rewind

A look at more than 100 years of Optimist International memories

Optimist Golf Builds Champions

Since 1978, Optimist-sponsored golf tournaments have served as a springboard for many of golf’s greatest players. Jason Day, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Tiger Woods, Michelle McGann and Lexi Thompson are just a few of today’s elite players who found their humble beginnings with the Optimists. Pictured here are young Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els at the 1984 World Junior Golf Championships.

Countries of Optimist International Optimism knows no borders