SYDNEY MAFONG
2025-2026 Junior Optimist
International President
Hi Junior Optimists!
My name is Sydney Mafong, and I am honored to serve as your 2025–2026 JOI President.
I am a senior at The Bishop’s School in La Jolla, California, and I have been involved with JOI since seventh grade, when I chartered a club at my middle school. Since then, I’ve served as Governor of the California South District and Charter President of my high school JOI club. For the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of serving as a Director on the International Board, where I have worked to strengthen communication and create new scholarship, volunteer, and leadership opportunities.
As a Director, I created the JOI Promote Literacy Project, through which clubs around the world organized book drives and donated books to underserved schools in their communities. It has been an absolute joy to see clubs from different regions collaborate on a shared project and connect through a mutual love of reading. Watching you work together has shown me the powerful impact that we, as Junior Optimists, can have on one another and on our communities.
My goal this year is to continue identifying the qualities that bind us and to use our diversity as a strength to reach even more communities. When we commit to discovering what connects us and uplifting those around us, the reach and impact of JOI will only continue to grow.
That’s why my theme for this year is “Beyond Borders with Optimism.” Through my experiences with JOI, I’ve learned that service should know no borders, whether physical, cultural, or social. Optimism allows us to cross those boundaries and meet people where they are.
Across districts and countries, Junior Optimists show that when service crosses borders, its impact multiplies.
I am committed to listening to your ideas and representing your voices. My email and DMs are always open, because effective communication is key to meaningful connection. I am so excited to meet all of you, whether in person or virtually, and I can’t wait to see all that we accomplish together this year. This is going to be a great one!
Sydney Mafong 2025-2026 Junior Optimist
International President
CARTER SINCLAIR Past President
Hi I’m Carter Sinclair!! I am your 2025-26 JOI Past International President. I have been a part of this organization since my freshman year of high school and I am wrapping up my time in JOI in my freshman year of college. This organization has given me so much, so many friends, opportunities, experiences, and purpose. Last year my theme was “Finding Purpose Through Optimism” and I hope I helped the members find that purpose. I am happy to be helping one more year of the international board of JOI to help make this organization the best it can be. Thank you to my friends in JOI for helping me get to this point and I am excited to see where JOI continues to go.
CHLOE REAGAN Director
Hey everybody! My name is Chloe Reagan, and I’m a sophomore at Granbury High School. I am so excited to serve on the International Board of Directors this year!
Here in Texas, I serve my local JOI Club as our Special Events and Fundraising Coordinator, tackling projects that benefit the club as a whole. While this is only my second year with JOI, my first year was nothing short of amazing. I had the privilege to serve my community, meet new people, and even attend the summit in St. Louis this past summer. It has been an absolute joy to be a part of this organization that truly takes the initiative in spreading optimism around Texas.
To serve as one of your International Directors this year is such a blessing! Junior Optimist has changed the way I think, act, and treat others, as it has inspired me to love and serve everyone around me, no matter who they are or what their situation might be. When we humble ourselves and serve someone other than ourselves, we learn things about ourselves that simply cannot be taught in the absence of such sacrifice.
As this year begins, I promise to think of myself less and think of you more as I work with the other incredible Board members to further improve this organization. My goal for this year is to improve the accessibility and availability of JOI for every student by ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to join the Junior Optimist International organization. As we work tirelessly to expand our reach, working side by side in each of our districts, we build a strong network of students confident in their ability to change the world. Ultimately, it is only when we focus on building up the next generation that we can better our collective futures.
Thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to serve you all. I’m so excited to see what big things we can accomplish this year!
ALIYAH DELGADO Director
Hi Junior Optimists! My name is Aliyah Delgado, and I am a senior at St. Anne’s Secondary School, in Belle River, Ontario. I am so honored to be able to serve as an international officer and represent Canada at this level.
My journey as a Junior Optimist began years ago when I was in fifth grade. At that time, I was just starting to discover what it meant to serve my community, but I quickly realized how much of an impact even small acts of kindness could make. As I grew more involved, I had the incredible opportunity to attend my first International Convention in Louisville. Walking into a room filled with youth from across the world who all shared the same passion for optimism was life changing. It was at that moment that I knew I wanted to one day serve on the International Board. Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to take on leadership roles at every level of the organization. This has allowed me to connect with members from across the globe and work on projects that bring people together.
For the 2025–2026 year, my goal is club building. I believe that the future of the Optimist organization lies in the hands of us at JOI, and that’s why it is so critical that we are able to build and maintain healthy clubs that can make a difference in their own communities.
My favourite line to describe what we do is “kids supporting kids,” because that’s truly what JOI is all about. As your International Officer, I look forward to best representing all of JOI by uplifting your voices, supporting your ideas, and working alongside you to grow stronger clubs and brighter futures. Together, we can continue spreading optimism and proving just how powerful youth leadership can be.
ABBY STIDHAM Director
Hey everyone!! My name is Abby Stidham, and I am currently an 11th grader at Fairmont High School in Dayton, Ohio. I have been in Junior Optimist for almost 6 years, and I have held the positions of club secretary, club president, and district secretary. I am so excited to start my journey on the international board, and I can’t wait to see all we can accomplish together!
One of my goals this year is to expand collaboration so that international, district, and club levels can all work together in some capacity. Similarly, I am hoping to expand the knowledge of what we actually do at the international level so that we can all make a big impact together.
I plan on doing this by sharing some of my favorite community service projects, like caroling at a nursing home or handing out encouraging messages with a little sweet treat. These projects can inspire districts and clubs alike to spark change, little steps at a time, by starting out simply and slowly expanding their reach.
But, most importantly, I hope to blur the line between the district and international level, and I hope to inspire others to take a leap and run for an international position. I am looking forward to seeing all the change we get to make together and how much we can grow and rely on each other!
ZACHARY STIDHAM Director
Hello everyone, my name is Zachary Stidham and I am currently an 11th grader at Kettering Fairmont High school in Ohio. I have been in Junior Optimist for nearly six years starting when I was in the fifth grade, and since I have held two positions: Vice president at the club level and Treasurer at the District level.
Junior Optimist is a great organization that has taught me many things, like public speaking and breaking out of my comfort zone. Being on the International Board this year, I hope to help other people like me break out of their comfort zone and feel comfortable with public speaking, giving them new opportunities like Junior Optimist has given me – opportunities to inspire others and to take the extra step and run for an international position.
Throughout this year I also hope to build connections between smaller clubs and the International level so that there is less confusion on who we are and what we represent.
I’m excited to see how we can all be on the International Board this year and to help further build this amazing organization.
Junior Optimist International was officially formed in 1988. It is the umbrella organization which links the local Junior Optimist International Clubs and Members to others throughout the world. Much like Optimist International, Junior Optimist is governed by an International Board of Directors, as well as District Officers. From the Club level on up, Members have the opportunity to develop leadership and team building skills all while helping communities. Each year there is an International Convention, which gives Members the opportunity to share in the decisionmaking process of the organization, meet young people with similar interests and goals, grow from training seminars…and have fun!
Young Adult Optimist Club (YAOC)
A significant initiative is underway to ensure that Junior Optimist International members remain meaningfully connected to Optimist International following graduation. In support of this effort, the Junior Optimist Board of Directors has formally approved a letter endorsing the establishment of Young Adult Optimist Clubs (YAOCs).
This club model will provide graduating JOI members with a clear and welcoming pathway to continue their involvement in the Optimist family as they transition into young adulthood. Young Adult Optimist Clubs serve individuals between the ages of 18 and 25 and may be organized as traditional, community-based clubs or as virtual clubs, offering flexibility to accommodate changing schedules and locations. Membership in a JOI Club is not a prerequisite for membership in a young adult club.
YAOCs preserve many of the benefits, values, and service opportunities associated with Junior Optimist membership, while expanding leadership development and engagement opportunities suited to this next stage of life. JOI advisors and local Optimist leaders are encouraged to provide guidance and support to assist graduating members in successfully forming these clubs.
The Junior Optimist Board of Directors strongly encourages graduating seniors in JOI Clubs to take an active role in establishing a Young Adult Optimist Club within their District and to continue their commitment to service, leadership, and optimism as part of Optimist International.
2026 JOI SUMMIT
SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI | JULY
16-19
The JOI Summit is an educational and inspirational 3-day program at Saint Louis University! The Saint Louis University Center for Global Citizenship hosts events aimed at helping the SLU community view the world from a more global perspective.
Key highlights include interactive peer focus groups, empowering young leaders through dynamic leadership and communication workshops, fostering community involvement and civic engagement, and building essential professional skills. Participants will also enjoy on-campus housing, participate in an off-site community service project, and engage in exciting team-building activities designed to inspire collaboration and personal growth.
The Summit will be held at the Center for Global Citizenship at Saint Louis University in conjunction with the Optimist International Oratorical World Championships! Attendees will have the exclusive chance to attend the Oratorical World Championships on Friday, July 17, 2026.
2025 JOI Scholarship Award Winners
Logyn Bottemiller
2025 Outstanding JOI Member Award winner
The Outstanding JOI Member Award, a $2,000 scholarship established in memory of Jack Ackerman — an Ohio advisor whose dedication to Junior Optimist left a lasting impact on many young people — honors a JOI member who exemplifies integrity, service, and commitment to their club. To be considered, applicants must be members in good standing who do not hold office above the club level. Each applicant must submit an original essay of 500 words or fewer on a topic of their choice, along with two letters of recommendation from non-family members.
Sydney MaFong
2025 JOI Achievement Award winner
The JOI Achievement Award, a $2,000 scholarship recognizing an exceptional JOI career, honors a member who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and long-term dedication to the Junior Optimist program. Applicants must be in their junior or senior year of school (or equivalent), have served as a District or International officer, and have been a JOI member for at least three years. To apply, candidates must submit two letters of recommendation from JOI mentors and an essay of 750–1200 words addressing the prompt: “How will your experience with JOI carry you into your next chapter?”
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!
Club Project Showcase
How a JOI Club, an Optimist Club, and an Optimist District worked together to provide food
and financial assistance for those in need.
The mother of one of our JOI Club members is currently battling cancer. Facing this challenge with no other family nearby to assist and limited funds for care, the situation has been difficult. The student, a four-year Octagon Club member at LaFayette High School in LaFayette, Georgia, has even transitioned to online schooling at home so she can provide full-time care for her mother.
When the LaFayette High School Octagon Club was asked by its sponsoring club — the Ya-Ya Xpress Optimist Club — to help identify a service project for the upcoming GATEway District conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the students knew where to focus. They suggested helping their fellow member and her mother. The GATEway District embraced the project, deciding to simultaneously collect food for a pantry in East Ridge, Tennessee.
Adult Optimist members attending the conference rallied together, bringing nonperishable food and financial aid. The “easyto-fix” food items and financial contributions were gifted directly to the JOI member and her mother to help ease their burden, while the remaining goods were donated to the East Ridge, Tennessee, food pantry.
Seven members of the LaFayette Octagon Club traveled to the conference to personally thank the Optimists for their generosity. During the event, they took the stage twice to speak with attendees about why they joined the Octagon Club and to share the projects they have been working on. They also distributed information on how to start new JOI Clubs. Recognizing this successful collaboration, the District presented both the Octagon Club and the Ya-Ya Xpress
Optimist Club (a club that meets at district meetings and has members from various locations), with certificates of accomplishment.
It wasn’t all business, though. Between speeches, the LaFayette JOI members networked with Optimists over lunch, helped pack cars with the donated groceries, and celebrated the day with a fun trip to Dave & Buster’s.
Everyone agreed that while planning projects with so many moving pieces can be challenging, the results are incredibly rewarding — and fun!
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.
Connect
Facebook:
Instagram:
Snapchat: