Midwestern Ontario JOI District Officers

Shelby is a high school senior, with a passion for learning, for community and for equity. Her dedication to providing opportunities for youth, to fundraising, and to education led her in 2018 to apply for and secure a school spirit grant for her elementary school, launch a school council, recruit and launch the London Junior Optimist Club for youth ages 10-18. Starting as club president, Shelby has been elected as a club officer each year. Since then Shelby has dedicated hundreds of hours of her free time to volunteering (receiving Community Award from Peggy Sattler, MPP, in 2020) in London. Shelby looks forward to her year as JOI District Governor, and encouraging members to elevate not only the communities they service, but each other. When her term ends, Shelby looks forward to pursuing post-secondary studies and a degree in psychology, following which intends to work with people to reach for and maintain optimal mental health. 

Natalie is a high school senior, and as a newer club member did not hesitate to step forward to assist her Junior Optimist Club, and later become a welcome addition to the new Midwestern Ontario JOI District.  Natalie's keen desire to learn new skills and help provide positive opportunities for youth helped lead her to suggest her "Colouring the World with Kindness" colouring contest as a local Junior Optimist club initiative. Natalie and Shelby worked together to obtain prizes from valued club sponsors, and Natalie collected and arranged judging for the contest. Her desire to improve the future for children and her community extends to Midwestern Ontario JOI District, and youth members. Natalie looks forward to pursuing post-secondary studies and a degree in business.