Category: News

On behalf of the Georgia District of Optimist International, we would like to announce Harry Hackett, III as the “Big John Ware” Optimist of the Year for 2012-2013. Harry is a member of the Atlanta and Smyrna Optimist Clubs. The Atlanta Club was the first Club founded in Georgia back in 1939.  This club was in danger of becoming one of our lost Optimist Clubs, but during the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 Optimist years, Harry saw the importance of making the Atlanta Club strong once again.  He truly believes in “Bringing Out The Best In Kids”!  He started by meeting with their last two members and encouraged them to hold an Oratorical Contest.  Since then they have had two in a row. He developed a soccer clinic in collaboration with the neighborhood YMCA/Headstart unit.  They found two more members through those efforts.

As quoted by his nominator “Harry has single-handedly increased our membership from 2 to 8 at the end of last fiscal year and from 8 to 16 this year.  If we are able to continue our streak and double up in the next fiscal year, we’ll be a going club again!”

Harry, we truly commend your efforts to the growth of Optimism in Georgia.  Thanks for a Job Well Done!

article by David Jordan, Governor 2011-2012

Georgia District Optimist Member, if you missed Columbus District Conference, you missed the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. What an honor it is, to be inducted into our very own Hall of Fame.
As stated by an application of Hall of Fame Inductee, “At this present time, I know of no more deserving of this honor. Not only is she the only female Governor of Georgia who was Distinguished, she also served twice as the Governor for the District within a three year time period. She stepped up when this position became vacant and did the best that she could with unusual circumstances.
Additionally, she served as Vice President of the Southeast Region of Optimist International during the 2011-2012 year. I am so proud of her accomplishments as are many members of the Georgia District.
Besides all of the work that she does for the Optimist organization, I also consider her a true friend. She is one of those individuals that will give you solid advice, tell you the truth, even if it hurts, and is always “there” for you. A really wonderful individual that I am proud to know”
Another application said “…has been an inspiration to many people throughout the Georgia District and we, as members of the Summerville-Trion Optimist Club would like to nominate her for the most prestigious honor of becoming a member of the Georgia District Hall of Fame. While our Club has personally benefited from her leadership over the past number of years, she has left notable marks of accomplishment throughout the Georgia District.”
She “…exemplifies the characteristics of an ideal Optimist; her zest for life is representative of the Optimist philosophy; her actions demonstrate her dedication and sincerity to the well-known tenets of Optimism.”
It is a great honor to announce that the 2011-2012 inductee to the Georgia District Hall of Fame is Past Vice President of Optimist International Rose Kohler.