By Dr. Ferrell Miller
JC Breakfast Optimist Club
Optimist International International includes 3,200 clubs in 20 countries with over 80,000 members. The Headquarters is in St. Louis, Missouri. Optimist Clubs have a focus on "Being A Friend of Youth" and "Making A Difference For Youth" in their communities. The JC Breakfast Optimist Club sponsors 16 different Geary County youth organizations and provides three scholarships to youth. Each year local club Presidents may recognize a member for outstanding service to the club, youth and community.
Ricardo Gutierrez was presented with the President's Citation at the October 9 meeting of the JC Breakfast Optimist Club. He has been instrumental in establishing and maintaining a Junior Optimist Club (JOI) at St. Xavier's Catholic School and started a JOI Club at Junction City High School this school year. Ricardo is a retired Command Sergeant Major and volunteers with fundraising for the club, coordinates the St. Xavier's High School Student of the quarter, and volunteers with various organizations and church activities in our community and at Fort Riley.