Prince Frederick, MD – For over 60 years Optimist clubs have been honoring young people deemed outstanding among their peers. The 2016 Youth Appreciation Week (YAW) Banquet sponsored by the Calvert-Prince Frederick and Solomons Optimist clubs was held Monday evening, Nov. 14 at the St. John Vianney Family Life Center. At total of 39 high school seniors from each of Calvert four public high schools were selected for this year’s recognition.
Each student—10 from Calvert, Huntingtown and Northern high schools, and nine from Patuxent High—had listed in the event’s program a compilation of achievements, activities and, in many cases, a statement of future aspirations.
“My ambitions in life are to be successful and be financially independent,” stated Calvert High School (CHS) senior Joseph M. Osborne.
“Discover and develop a cure for modern day epidemics such as cancer or AIDS,” said Huntingtown High School (HHS) senior Nehemiah R. Stewart.
“In life I just want to spread smiles, laughter and love to all,” said Northern High School’s (NHS) Cierra N. Morsell.
Patuxent High School (PHS) senior Mackenzie Morgan stated her goal was “being accepted to a service academy or other college on NJROTC [Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps] and making military service my lifelong career.”
“I just want to make a difference in the future,” stated Bradley R. Stephens of HHS, who hopes to attend the Naval Academy and have a career as a pilot.
“My goal is to graduate and create great jobs,” said CHS senior Imani M. Watson, whose profile noted she is the “founder and CEO of ‘Cupcake Couture by Imani.”
“I would like to pursue a STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics]-related career in the sports industry,” stated PHS senior Arley J. Shepherd. “I would also like to have a family and coach sports.”
“My future goals are to assist in sending a man to Mars and be a screenwriter and director,” said Thomas T. O’Brien Jr. of NHS.
Addressing the student-honorees attending with family members and friends, Calvert Optimist Club President Bob Young recalled going to a YAW banquet in 2011 with a grandchild who was being recognized by the club. “I became a member of the Optimist Club because of this dinner,” said Young. “It’s a great club for an empty-nester. It’s a good way to spend some time.”
According to the local Optimist YAW chairman, Ed Dorsey, the club’s upcoming sale of Christmas trees is a major fundraiser. The sale begins Black Friday and ends when all the trees (850 this year) are sold. The sale funds the YAW event and also helps provide $13,000 worth of scholarships awarded annually by the club.
Among those thanked by Dorsey during his remarks were the guidance counselors from each school who aid the club in the selection of the YAW honorees. The counselors are LeTea Perry of NHS, Zelma Pugh of HHS, Billy Joe Aris of CHS and Karin Ryon of PHS.
The 2016 honorees are:
CHS – Kristen Almuete, Emma E.C. Dodsworth, Paul L. Goldsmith, Madison E. Heilmeier, Kaitlynn N. Olewnik, Joseph M. Osborne, Amara N. Soffos, Imani M. Watson, Alexea Wentz and Nora A.C. Windsor.
HHS – Alyssa M. Butters, John E. DeGrange III, Josephine I. Hall, Kristina M. Larkin, Colleen M. Larsen, Davin Loc, Georgia Minni, Bradley R. Stephens, Nehemiah R. Stewart and Julianna M. Young.
NHS – Shaheer Ahmad, Ananda K. Claggett, Nina G. Dorsett, Maya A. Fields, Isabella J. Herrera, Jeffery D.D. Johnson, Cierra N. Morsell, Thomas T. O’Brien Jr., David E. Shoop and Gillian B. Torr.
PHS – Brandon H. Banta, Armani N. Claggett, Marina L. Cox, Samantha R. Falco, Lily A. Hensler, Mackenzie G. Morgan, Arley J. Shepherd, Sidney P.S. Slappy and Macie M. Unkle.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
Calvert High School Front row, left to right, Emma Dodsworth, Nora Windsor, Kristen Almuete and Imani Watson. Back row, Paul Goldsmith, Madison Heilmeier, Amara Soffos, Joseph Osborne and Alexea Wentz. Not pictured, Kaitlynn Olewnik.
Huntingtown High School Left to right, Nehemiah Stewart, Alyssa Butters, Kristin Larkin and Bradley Stephens. Not pictured, John DeGrange, Josephine Hall, Colleen Larsen, Davin Loc, Georgia Minni and Julianna Young.
Northern High School Left to right, Maya Fields, Nina Dorsett, Shaheer Ahmad, Gillian Torr, Thomas O’Brien, Cierra Morsell, Jeffery Johnson, Isabella Herrera, David Shoop and Ananda Claggett.
Patuxent High School Left to right, Samantha Falco, Mackenzie Morgan, Lily Hensler, Brandon Banta, Sidney Slappy, Marina Cox, Armani Claggett, Arley Shepherd and Macie Unkle.