The Optimist Club of Senoia hosted its annual Youth Appreciation Banquet on December 4, 2008 in recognition of students at East Coweta High School and Northgate High School. Senoia Optimist member David Gay was the chair of the event which was held at the Senior Citizens’ Center in Senoia.

Counselors at the two high schools were asked to select students for this recognition who were an inspiration to other students. As Senoia Optimist President Hal Sewell explained, “the students chosen by the schools are a positive example to others. They are not necessarily here because of their good grades or their athletic accomplishments, but they are here tonight because they have been recognized as someone who has made a difference to others – sometimes overcoming adversity towards achieving their goals.”

Students recognized from the local high schools were Abbey Stokely, Faithe Duncan, and Nick Jenkins from Northgate; and Derek Jett, Shane Phillips, Ryan Carter, and Naomi Landon from East Coweta.

The speaker for the evening was Drew Ross, Associate Pastor at Sharpsburg Baptist Church, who talked about the importance of parents and loved ones sacrificing for a child as opposed to ignoring or even worshipping a child.

The Optimist Club of Senoia meets at Maguire’s Family & Friends Restaurant which is on the corner of Main and Seavy Streets in Senoia, Georgia. Meetings are scheduled to start at 7 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month.

The club is affiliated with the Georgia District of Optimist International. There are approximately 100 Optimist Clubs in the Georgia District which comprises the entire state of Georgia. Thousands of clubs support young people throughout the world as part of Optimist International, one of the world’s largest and most active service club organizations.

The motto of Optimist International is “Friend of Youth”. For each Optimist member, it has been determined that approximately 30 young people are reached due to the various projects and programs conducted by the Optimist clubs around the globe. It is the special emphasis on helping young people and our communities that has led many members to select optimism as a way of life.

Optimist International programs provide meaningful club projects, create identity in the community, and help to fulfill a need in the lives of our youth as well as the adults who elect this opportunity to serve.

If you would like to visit a local club meeting or would like additional information about the Optimist Club of Senoia, please contact Hal Sewell at 770-599-6097. To learn more about Optimist International, please visit the organization’s website at www.optimist.org.

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