Picture elementary schoolers sitting on one of those color block rugs, happily listening to a story someone is reading to them. The person reading the story and engaging with the kids is actually a member of the Milford High School Junior Optimist International club.
Joining the club is super easy. Heather Lutz, the founder of the MHS branch of JOI club and math teacher, said they have monthly meetings that anybody can drop into and get the Google Classroom code to be informed about upcoming volunteer opportunities.
If someone is interested in learning more information about JOI club, they could check out their Instagram @mhsjoiclub, where information is posted about upcoming meetings and general information.
One of the annual events they do is called peer resistance. The volunteers for this event attend two days of training before going to different elementary schools and advocate against
social coercion. “We teach them about peer pressures because that’s something they are going to be facing in the future,” said Tommy Shaw, one of the student co-presidents, “We teach them how to react and respond to it.”
The JOI club also has lots of connections to a club for adults in the area called the Optimist International Club.
Lutz said that she met the members of the Optimist Club, and they were the sweetest people, so she couldn’t say no when they asked if she wanted to start a branch at Milford.
She said, “I strongly believe in volunteering and what it can do for others and yourself.” One of the ways the club is connected to the adult group is through state conferences, which any member can attend, though it is normally just current or future officers.
Copresident, Reese Berry, said the state and international conferences “allow students to come together with JOI club members from other schools and adults. ” At these conferences, they learn leadership and communication skills while building their professionalism.
So, why should someone join the JOI club? Besides getting involved in the school and its events, it is a great place for volunteer opportunities, stated Maybree Mckenney, the club’s treasurer.
But besides that, Mckenney stated that, “I also just really enjoy the people. Mrs. Lutz is great, and all the other officers are super great.” JOI club is full of people volunteering and having fun while helping the community, who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?
If you are applying to colleges soon, JOI club would also look impressive on college applications.
Students who participate for 2 years, attend at least 60% of the meetings, and participate in at least 6 events, receive a cord that they can wear at graduation.
Milford High School’s JOI club is always looking for new members and new events to participate in. So, if you want to make this year extra special and enjoyable, the best way to do that is through JOI club.