By ANDY SCHNEIDER

Journal Reporter

Young people in Glenview have reason to be optimistic about their hometown and the opportunities it offers them, thanks to the philosophy of the Glenview Optimist Club.

Being "a friend to youth" is a primary focus of the club, according to its current president Dan Holohan. In fact, that's what drew him to the Optimists from the start.

"When I first opened an office in the community I went around to the local organizations to see what would be a good fit," said Holohan. "When I saw the Optimist Club there was no question."

The Optimists are small business owners, doctors, and other professionals in the community who hold weekly meetings to discuss their involvement with the youth of Glenview.

"What we have in common," said Holohan, "is that we're all interested in helping youth."

The Optimists fundraisers often go to scholarships for community young people.

"Each of the last three years we've awarded $10,000 in scholarships," said Holohan.

Every November, the Optimists hold "Youth Appreciation Week" in which they recognize students for scholarships, volunteering, or community involvement. In 2002, 15 students were honored at the Youth Appreciation Week Luncheon.

In order to fund their scholarships and other programs, the Optimists have a Club Raffle in March and a Scholarship Golf Outing in August. According to Holohan, both events raise approximately $10,000.

In March, the Optimists hold a Communication Contest for the Deaf

"Just thinking about the Contest gives me goose bumps," said Holohan. "High school students who are deaf come out to compete. They prepare a presentation on a topic and then, through a sign language interpreter, they communicate with the audience. Last year's topic was how they would change the world. Watching these contests changed the way I looked at communicating in front of a group of people. Those kids are so impressive."

The local winners then move on to a state-wide competition in May.

The Optimists are also the sole sponsor of the "Student-to-Student" program at Glenbrook South High School.

"Student-to-Student is a great program," said Holohan. "To be a member, a student pledges to be alcohol and drug free for the year. Then they have regular meetings and social activities where they talk about the difficulties they face. It's an opportunity for students who think and feel the same way to get together and talk about it."

The Optimists participate in and sponsor a myriad of smaller activities; the 4th of July and Holiday in the Park Parades, the Glenview Street Sale, and the Halloween "Spooks-tacular".

"We also sponsor junior golfers to play in the Optimists' Junior Golf Tournament," said Holohan.

According to Holohan, the Optimists are different from many other service organizations.

"I've been a member of the Optimists for five years, and the president for two years," said Holohan. "I'm always struck by the youth and energy of our organization. We have new members coming in all the time and old members leaving as their obligations require, but everyone who can be is dedicated to helping youth."

But, to Holohan, even that energy isn't the secret to the Optimists' vitality.

"We have a creed that we recite at every meeting," said Holohan. "It begins, 'promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.' I am so glad to be a member of an organization that not only benefits youth, or lets you make friends and business contacts, but also has an ideology. Every day people have a choice to be optimistic or not and I can tell that all these people make the same choice. These are the kind of people that I want to be around."