Amy Sefrit, a longtime member and vice-president of the Fairfax Optimist Club, is pictured with Charlie Jo Hurst, left, and Anna Ohlensehlen, right. (Barbara Terry photo)

The Fairfax Optimist Club has launched a new Optimist Student of the Month Program in partnership with Fairfax R-3 School to recognize students who demonstrate outstanding character, optimism, and positive influence within the school community.

Each month, two students are honored, one from grades K-6 and one from grades 7-12, for exemplifying the values found in the Optimist Creed. The program recognizes students whose actions strengthen both the school environment and the Fairfax community through leadership, kindness, perseverance, and encouragement of others.

The Fairfax Optimist Club is pleased to recognize the first honorees for December: Charlie Jo Hurst, Elementary Student of the Month, and Anna Ohlensehlen, Junior High/High School Student of the Month.

The program is built around five core values drawn from the Optimist Creed:

• Strength of character emphasizes integrity, resilience, and responsible decision making.

• Positive influence highlights encouragement, teamwork, and respect for others.

• Hopeful perspective recognizes optimism and solution-oriented thinking.

• Purposeful growth focuses on perseverance, learning, and personal improvement.

• Joyful generosity celebrates kindness, compassion, and a spirit that uplifts others.

Community partnership is an important part of the program. The Fairfax Optimist Club recognizes The Gas Spot for partnering with the club to support student recognition. Each monthly winner receives a 7” pizza and a soft drink provided by The Gas Spot.

Student recipients are selected in collaboration with Fairfax R-3 School faculty and administration based on consistent demonstration of character, leadership, and positive engagement within the school community.

The Fairfax Optimist Club looks forward to celebrating students throughout the school year and encouraging optimism, leadership, and service among Fairfax youth.