OPTIMIST'S PATRIOTIC CLUB AT CENTRAL CHARTERED IN SPRING

The Patriotic Club at Cape Girardeau Central High School joined the ranks of Optimist International last spring.

The club was chartered as Patriotic Octagon, a high school chapter of the Noon Optimist Club.

The high school club sponsor, Jack Grisham, and seven student members attended a Noon Optimist meeting on May 23 for the chartering ceremony.

Noon Optimist President Craig Billmeyer said: "Our club was really enthusiastic about sponsoring the existing club at the high school. Their club basically paralleled ours.

"We saw a potential outreach for our club. It's refreshing to see high school students take such a patriotic stand and want to foster feeling for our country."

The two clubs will function separately. "If they need us, they will call on us," said Billmeyer.

David Goncher, youth club chairman of the Noon Optimists, said: "We thought it would be a good idea to support them financially and with manpower. We can help them grow in numbers and strength and help them become more involved in community service."

Grisham and Billmeyer and Goncher spoke with the students about joining the Optimist organization.

He said: "The kids were very enthusiastic about becoming affiliated with the Optimists. Our objects and goals are so closely tied that the kids decided it would be a good idea."

The high school club president Clint Welch said, "This year we were interested in generating a constant flow of members. Next year, I think that the Optimists can help us with money and ideas for ways to raise money."