The purpose of Junior Optimist International (JOI) is to provide opportunities for Members, individually and collectively, to participate in community-serving activities, develop leadership abilities, and prepare for responsible roles in society. JOI clubs meet once or twice a month during lunch at their school. JOI members elect officers and run their own meetings. Members choose service projects to improve their community and they also assist their sponsor club with events
Membership Application for Calvert High’s Junior Optimist Club
For more information about the Calvert High School Junior Optimist Club, or about starting a Junior Optimist Club at your school, please email KristaBrezina@gmail.com.
Recent History of Junior Optimist Clubs Sponsored by the Optimist Club of Calvert
Junior Optimist Octagon Clubs were formed at both Calvert and Huntingtown High Schools in the Spring of 2018. Twenty students were inducted into the Calvert High Octagon Club and thirty students were inducted into the Huntingtown Octagon Club.
Projects completed since the clubs were formed include Easter Egg Hunts for local children, face-painting at the Celtic Festival, decorating/signing graduation cards for Kindergarten students, decorating/signing and delivering Valentine Cards to nursing home residents, volunteering at Project Echo’s Empty Bowl Supper, preparing and delivering Easter Baskets to Project Echo Shelter, signing and delivery Easter cards to nursing home residents, collected toys for Toys for Tots of Calvert County, and hosted a Senior Prom for senior citizens.
In the winter of 2019, the Junior Optimist Club of Calvert, a Junior Optimist club of middle schoolers was chartered. Club members completed several projects their first year including signing Christmas cards for Meals on Wheels recipients, making no-sew blankets for the local animal shelter, participating in Barstow Elementary School’s Trunk or Treat, signing and decorating cards for local Veterans and active duty service members and sponsoring a bingo game at the Calvert County Nursing Center.
Charter members of the Junior Optimist Club of Calvert County are (l-r): Emma Brezina, Alex Carson, Priscilla Falcao, Maggie Green, Lannah Hall, Hannah Hobbs, Jacob Trilli and Angelina Zannopoulos. Not pictured: Audrey Ward.
