The Optimist Club of Calvert Prince Frederick held its annual banquet honoring students deemed Calvert County’s “Outstanding Youth” as part of Optimist International’s “Youth Appreciation Week.”

This year the local club saluted 40 students—10 students each from Calvert County’s four public high schools—Monday, Nov. 18 at St. John Vianney Family Life Center in Prince Frederick.

The honorees are selected by the club with the aid of school guidance counselors.  Selectors weigh academic achievement plus school and community activities.

The following are the 2013 honorees from Huntingtown High School (HHS).

Jacob W. Berry is a member of the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) Rifle and Drill teams and is a Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout. Berry has received a Maryland Governor’s Citation and a Calvert County Sheriff’s Salute. He plans to attend college, major in criminal justice and history, and become a U.S. Marine Special Operations Command member.

Emily N. DeGrange is a member of the HHS Acapella Club, Citizen Advisory Council and is an Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar with Honor. She has volunteered with the Festival of Trees and Red Cross Blood Drive. She plans to attend Franciscan University of Steubenville, major in education, teach and make a difference in the lives of children.

Rebecca L. Forrester is president of the Future Educators Association, plays varsity softball and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Forrester has volunteered with Farming 4 Hunger and Calvert Memorial Hospital, and is a member of the Young Republicans. She plans to attend either Liberty University or Towson University, major in secondary education and teach inner-city students.

Vincent T. Kubala is a National Merit Scholarship Commended Student and an AP Scholar with Distinction. Kabula has received Outstanding Achievement awards in World History, Spanish II, AP Computer Science, Honors Chemistry and AP Calculus. He said, “I want to leave my mark by contributing to human knowledge and by helping and inspiring those around me whenever I can.”

Collin J. McKenny is a member of the HHS Key Club, Math Club and a member of All-County Band. McKenny was named an Outstanding Student in AP Physics and was a vacation Bible school volunteer. He plans to attend Virgi