Each year, the club holds an annual awards and installation banquet in late September. In addition to the installation of officers and directors for the coming year, the club recognizes members who have given their time and energy to promote Optimism during the previous year. The most prestigious of the awards is Optimist of the Year, which is chosen by a committee comprised of prior Optimist of the Year award recipients. Optimist of the Year award winners are:
|
1969/70 - |
Ken Kolze |
1992/93 - |
Bill Johnson |
|
1970/71 - |
Tom Frazier |
1993/94 - |
Brian Nicholas |
|
1971/72 - |
George Smith |
Margaret Barclay |
|
|
1972/73 - |
Tom Sowder |
1994/95 - |
Dave Kay |
|
1973/74 - |
Jim Nealeigh |
1995/96 - |
Anne Singleton |
|
1974/75 - |
Bill Kirnec |
Jerry Stahley |
|
|
1975/76 - |
Don Lilly |
1996/97 - |
Mike Wall |
|
1976/77 - |
Bob Scott |
1997/98 - |
Donna Robinson |
|
1977/78 - |
Tom Craig |
1998/99 - |
Laura Caschera |
|
1979/80 - |
Dave Ihle |
Charlie Tapp |
|
|
1980/81 - |
Will Cale |
1999/00 - |
Judy DeMarco |
|
1981/82 - |
Chuck Dickerson |
Scott Langer |
|
|
1982/83 - |
Dan Beck |
2000/01 - |
Stan Fronzaglia |
|
1983/84 - |
Gary Aiken |
2001/02 - |
Steve Fisher |
|
1984/85 - |
Don Kelley |
2002/03 - |
Joe Madden |
| Mark Beasley |
2003/04 - |
Ken Peacock |
|
|
1985/86 - |
Bill Busch |
Barbara Santo |
|
|
1986/87 - |
Gary Smiga |
2004/05 - |
Bill Williams |
|
1987/88 - |
Rick Gross |
2005/06 - |
Tom Novak |
|
1988/89 - |
Joe Fathergill |
2006/07 - | Mary Madden |
|
1989/90 - |
Skip Clark |
Mike Bevis | |
|
1990/91 - |
Karl Frydryk |
2007/08 - | Vida McDowell |
|
1991/92 - |
Jackie Corn |
2008/09 - |
Kelly Eggers |