At this morning's meeting of the Brighton Optimist Club, Reaching Higher Director Sue Dahlman, and Brighton High School guidance counselor Barb Williams accompanied five of the Reaching Higher Program's recent graduates. The five students are all either sophomores or juniors this year, and each gave a brief presentation on how the Reaching Higher program has helped them personally and academically.
It was very moving to hear the stories from these young people, and to know that when we go off track in life, there is hope. Sometimes it's in our attitudes, sometimes in our circumstances. These five great students have turned themselves around, improved their grades, and are now getting more involved in activities in a positive way.
My kudos to Sue Dahlmann and Barb Williams for getting this program up and running here in Livingston County. And of course, to the Brighton Optimist Club for providing the first batch of 'seed money' to fund them. (Disclaimer:I am on the Board of Directors of the Brighton Optimist Club and am decidely biased.)
Some of these five have volunteered to be graduate assistants to the next group of Reaching Higher students at Brighton High, and my bet is that they'll be more fulfilled in that role than they were as students. Isn't it almost always the case that the more we do for others, the more meaning we find in our lives, and in life in general? I think it is.
If you want to learn more about this program, or help fund it, please see their web site at:
http://www.reachinghigherinc.org/.
If you have interest in the Brighton Optimist Club, see their web site at http://www.brightonoptimist.org/. We have an ambitious schedule of events for the year and can always use more service-minded individuals to help.
And congratulations again to the recent graduates of Reaching Higher!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Brighton Optimists Help Sponsor Students
Last fall, the Brighton Optimist Club heard a guest speaker, Sue Dahlmann, talk about a program called 'Reaching Higher'. She had been conducting this program in other SE MIchigan schools and wanted to start it in her home community.
The Optimists were so impressed, that they allocated money to sponsor two students, the first community group to do so. The Reaching Higher program provides tools for building a student's confidence level, overcoming limiting beliefs and moving toward their goals.
A February 3, 2010, article in the Livingston County Press and Daily Argus featured this program and mentioned the role of the Brighton Optimists, and other community groups.
The Brighton Optimist Club is proud to have been a part in the inaugural year of this program for local youth, and we hope it is an important part of the community for many years to come.
You can see the full article here, at http://www.livingstondaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20102030302, and you can see the Reaching Higher web site at http://www.reachinghigherinc.com/index.php
The Optimists were so impressed, that they allocated money to sponsor two students, the first community group to do so. The Reaching Higher program provides tools for building a student's confidence level, overcoming limiting beliefs and moving toward their goals.
A February 3, 2010, article in the Livingston County Press and Daily Argus featured this program and mentioned the role of the Brighton Optimists, and other community groups.
The Brighton Optimist Club is proud to have been a part in the inaugural year of this program for local youth, and we hope it is an important part of the community for many years to come.
You can see the full article here, at http://www.livingstondaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20102030302, and you can see the Reaching Higher web site at http://www.reachinghigherinc.com/index.php
Clubs Are Planning Events
It's great to see so many Clubs planning so many events. Right now, clubs that planning Oratorical Contests are in full swing. They are also getting ready for Optimist International Junior Golf Qualifiers. This post will focus on the Optimist International Oratorical Contest.
What's an Oratorical Contest?
It's a structured public speaking opportunity for children 16 and under. They must prepare a 4-5 minutes speech on a topic announced by Optimist International. This year's topic is, "Cyber Communication: Progress or Problem?"
They are judged on poise, content, presentation, and overall effectiveness. Points can be deducted for long or short speeches, use of props, and a few other infractions of the official rules. All contestants receive a copy of the rules.
Club winners progress to a Regional contest. Regional winners (Michigan has five regions) compete in the Michigan District contest, where the boy & girl winners get a $2,500 scholarship and the opportunity to compete for Optimist International's $6,000 scholarship.
It's an amazing contest, and I am floored every year by the competitors. I remember myself at their age. There's no way that I would have been able to stand before a room of mostly strangers and speak as these kids do. It seems that every year, there is more ability and passion among the contestants. Many adults could learn a lesson about getting across a point in a short amount of time from these remarkable young people.
Contests are being held by clubs across Michigan in March. Find an Optimist Club near you and check one out. It's just one of the things that Optimists do for our youth. And you don't have to be a pie-in-the-sky, 'Pollyanna' type to be an Optimist. You just need a desire to serve your community and to help provide positive opportunities to the youth in your community. Even if you're a pessimist, don't worry. Our positive attitude is contagious!
My club, the Brighton Optimist Club, will have their Oratorical Contest on March 21, 2010.
What's an Oratorical Contest?
It's a structured public speaking opportunity for children 16 and under. They must prepare a 4-5 minutes speech on a topic announced by Optimist International. This year's topic is, "Cyber Communication: Progress or Problem?"
They are judged on poise, content, presentation, and overall effectiveness. Points can be deducted for long or short speeches, use of props, and a few other infractions of the official rules. All contestants receive a copy of the rules.
Club winners progress to a Regional contest. Regional winners (Michigan has five regions) compete in the Michigan District contest, where the boy & girl winners get a $2,500 scholarship and the opportunity to compete for Optimist International's $6,000 scholarship.
It's an amazing contest, and I am floored every year by the competitors. I remember myself at their age. There's no way that I would have been able to stand before a room of mostly strangers and speak as these kids do. It seems that every year, there is more ability and passion among the contestants. Many adults could learn a lesson about getting across a point in a short amount of time from these remarkable young people.
Contests are being held by clubs across Michigan in March. Find an Optimist Club near you and check one out. It's just one of the things that Optimists do for our youth. And you don't have to be a pie-in-the-sky, 'Pollyanna' type to be an Optimist. You just need a desire to serve your community and to help provide positive opportunities to the youth in your community. Even if you're a pessimist, don't worry. Our positive attitude is contagious!
My club, the Brighton Optimist Club, will have their Oratorical Contest on March 21, 2010.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
What's an Optimist?
A lot of folks feel that an 'optimist' (notice the small 'o') are pie-in-the-sky, unrealistic, see no evil kind of people. That's really not true. Optimism doesn't preclude realism, and expecting (or even hoping) for a favorable outcome isn't a weakness.
There's been a lot of study into positive thinking and the effects of positive attitudes and generally, being an optimist doesn't hurt, it helps.
On to the Optimist (with a capital 'O'). These are members of a club chartered under Optimist International and work to better their communities, focusing on the youth.
Clubs I know are doing everything imaginable to make their communities a better place to live, and to "Bring Out The Best In Kids". A variety of youth appreciation days, providing sporting, recreational or athletic events, offering scholarships, developing academic and leadership qualities in youth, cleaning roads, collecting food for the hungry, and the list goes on and on and on.
If you have an interest in supporting the youth of your community (after all, they are the future), or want to make your town a better place to live - find or start a local Optimist Club.
I consider myself an independent, politically, but last February (2009), I noticed this quote from President Obama, "You know, I am an eternal optimist. That doesn't mean I'm a sap." That's kind of how I feel about being an Optimist, too.
There's been a lot of study into positive thinking and the effects of positive attitudes and generally, being an optimist doesn't hurt, it helps.
On to the Optimist (with a capital 'O'). These are members of a club chartered under Optimist International and work to better their communities, focusing on the youth.
Clubs I know are doing everything imaginable to make their communities a better place to live, and to "Bring Out The Best In Kids". A variety of youth appreciation days, providing sporting, recreational or athletic events, offering scholarships, developing academic and leadership qualities in youth, cleaning roads, collecting food for the hungry, and the list goes on and on and on.
If you have an interest in supporting the youth of your community (after all, they are the future), or want to make your town a better place to live - find or start a local Optimist Club.
I consider myself an independent, politically, but last February (2009), I noticed this quote from President Obama, "You know, I am an eternal optimist. That doesn't mean I'm a sap." That's kind of how I feel about being an Optimist, too.
Optimism Abounds!
Yes, this is a blog about Optimism - and Optimists. You don't have to be a member of Optimist International, but it sure wouldn't hurt!
I hope to highlight stories and projects from Optimist Clubs on this blog, but posts that reflect optimism outside of the organization will not be turned away, either.
Optimist Clubs are civic groups that chartered under Optimist International. They work on projects within their community, but with a focus on the youth of the community. They believe in the 'Optimist Creed' and practice it in their daily lives.
You can find more information on Optimist International at http://www.optimist.org/, and the Michigan District Optimists at http://www.michiganoptimists.org/. There's probably a club near you - find it and get involved!
I hope to highlight stories and projects from Optimist Clubs on this blog, but posts that reflect optimism outside of the organization will not be turned away, either.
Optimist Clubs are civic groups that chartered under Optimist International. They work on projects within their community, but with a focus on the youth of the community. They believe in the 'Optimist Creed' and practice it in their daily lives.
You can find more information on Optimist International at http://www.optimist.org/, and the Michigan District Optimists at http://www.michiganoptimists.org/. There's probably a club near you - find it and get involved!
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