A dedicated group of community-minded teens from Lakeview High School were recently sworn in as part of the first Junior Optimists Club in St. Clair Shores.

Thrity-three students, who are part of Huskies with Heart organization, officially became the Lakeview High School Junior Optimist Octagon International (JOOI) club.

The members of this club have been involved in more than 10 projects in the community and have worked beside members of the St. Clair Shores Optimists Club at the Rapid Search child identity program this past September, distributed candy during the Halloween in the Park, and serving hot chocolate and donuts during the city's Christmas Tree Lighting. 

“I am extremely proud of each of these students who have stepped forward to be part of something bigger, broader and extends beyond the hallways of Lakeview High School," said Debbie DePape, president of the Optimists Club which is sponsoring the student club.

"The lessons they learn today by volunteering and giving back to their community will provide them with the skills that will follow them past graduation from Lakeview," she added. "As they continue their education beyond these walls and enter the work force they will become our future leaders and contributing members of their own communities.”  

The students have also conducted projects on their own including raising funds and packing food baskets for the Kids Against Hunger campaign, collecting food to provide Thanksgiving baskets to 88 Lakeview families and the successful Cell Phones for Soldiers cell phone collection campaign.

The club recieved their charter from Optimists Gov. Ray Finocchio, who was joined by Elaine Lyon, Optimists Assistant Governor, Region 4, who swore in the board, secretary and treasurer and Cherryl Thames, JOOI, Michigan Co-Chair, who swore in the president and two vice-presidents.