For 43 years, Calvert County’s Optimists have been recognizing outstanding youth in the community. According to Ed Dorsey of the Optimist Club of Calvert – Prince Frederick, this year 40 youth from the county’s four public high schools earned the recognition that is part of the club’s Youth Appreciation Week.

On Nov. 19 the 2012 selectees, all seniors, were honored at a banquet held at St. John Vianney Family Life Center. The honored youths, along with family and friends, enjoyed a buffet meal prepared and served by Maryland Country Caterers. Each youth received a certificate and pin from the Optimists.

 

“I’m in awe of everything you’ve done,” Optimist Club President Darryl Mansfield told the honorees.

In addition to Youth Appreciation Week, the local Optimists aid school-age youth with scholarships. Dorsey said to date the club has awarded $138,000 in scholarships.

 

The 10 Huntingtown High School (HHS) students were chosen with the aid of Guidance Counselor Kristin Richie. These are the HHS 2012 honorees.

 

  • John R. Bauer is a member of the HHS Chapter of the National Honor Society and a Boy Scouts of America Life Scout. A member of HHS’s lacrosse and swim teams, Bauer plans to attend the University of Maryland, majoring in engineering or pre-med and  subsequently have a career “that I enjoy doing every day of my life.”
  • Isaac Brannon is the recipient of a foreign language honorarium and a member of the All-State Choir. Brannon received a Royal Rangers Gold Medal Award and plans to attend the University of Maryland, majoring in mechanical or aerospace engineering, with an eye toward a career with a defense contractor or federal government agency.
  • Morgan L. Daughtridge is an advanced placement (AP) scholar, a Sunday school teacher, and a member of HHS’s soccer, lacrosse and basketball teams. Daughtridge plans to attend either  the University of Virginia or Duke, major in either chemical or biomedical engineering and become a member of Engineers without Borders “so I can travel, make a difference in society, doing something meaningful.”
  • Allie E. Ho