Under the leadership of President Gail Moesch, the Shawano Optimist Club has been awarded Honor Club status by Optimist International for the 2016-2017 Optimist year. To achieve Honor Club status, a club must meet various criteria, including conducting three or more service projects during the year and having a net increase of at least three new members.
During the year, the Shawano Optimists sponsor a scholastic awards banquet, a bike rodeo, a respect for law week promotion, basketball and football skills contests, a 5k walk/run and Christmas movies for kids. They also hold several fund raisers, with all the money raised going back to the Shawano community to more than 30 organizations.
In commenting on the award, Moesch said, “As a club, we are so proud of what we have done for the youth of our area since our club was formed 41 years ago. To be recognized by Optimist International as an ‘Honor Club’ is just the icing on the cake.
“The award is for all the members of our club who are really the ones responsible for making the award possible,” Moesch added.
Tony Yaggie, Lieutenant Governor for the Wisconsin-Upper Michigan district of Optimist International, presented the award to Moesch at a recent club meeting. Also receiving citations were secretary Dawn Knope and treasurer Barb Schmid. “This is not an easy award to achieve,” Yaggie said, “and I compliment the Shawano Optimists for this great recognition.” It is the ninth time the club has earned Honor Club status.