Contributed by Jim Parrotte

Ryan Clairmont is President of the Canyon Crest Academy Junior Optimist International (JOI) Club for the 2020-2021 Optimist Year and has been an active Junior Optimist since the 7th Grade at Carmel Valley Middle School. Ryan has led JOI Clubs sponsored by the Del Mar – Solana Beach Optimist Club, both at Canyon Crest Academy, and previously at Carmel Valley Middle School, in many successful community service projects and activities over the years. Congratulations to Ryan on his winning the National Young Astronomer Award for his creation of involved, 3D astrophysical models to explain the Cat’s Eye Nebula structure and evolution. Ryan previously won first place in Physics and Astronomy at the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair. This young Optimist is definitely “Shooting For The Stars”!
