Reaching out at Every Opportunity.

On Thursday, January 13, 2010, Optimist International Caribbean
District Governor Joseph Benfield found himself on a layover at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston for a few hours. So what did he do? He took the opportunity to visit with the Royal Octagon Club of Queens High School in Kingston.

Escorted by District Communications Chair PatrickPrendergast, the Governor who was en route to the Cayman Islands attend the JOOI Club’s meeting and shared his thoughts with the very delighted members present. Gov. Joe expressed his satisfactionwith the gathering and made special note of the service projects the club had planned for the year. He encouraged the students to continue to work assiduously and spread optimism for the benefit of the club and their school. He also elaborated on the importance of their participating in such OI activities as the Essay and Oratorical competitions not just for the movement but also given the benefits to be derived by the individual students themselves.

The Caribbean District Governor then took a few questions and eve

n after the meeting was adjourned spent some time meeting and chatting with the students individually. The students themselves were both excited and encouraged by the Governor’s presence, as was evidenced by almost all the members staying back to take photos and chat with the Governor along with CP Patrick and President Marc‐Maurice of Sunset Liguanea.

The Royal Octagon Club of Queens High School is sponsored by the Sunset Optimist Club of Liguanea. The club meets every Thursday at 3:00 and often host inter-club meetings with The JOOI clubs of Calabar, Meadowbrook and Jamaica College.