When the Optimist Club of Calvert-Prince Frederick came into existence 43 years ago, the very first program initiated by Optimist International adopted by the local club was Youth Appreciation Week. The tradition of honoring local high school seniors reached the number 40 in 2012. According to local Optimist Ed Dorsey, the addition of Patuxent High School (PHS) led the club to seek 10 students from each of Calvert’s four public high schools.

 

With the help of PHS Guidance Counselor Donna Nusser, the Optimists selected their 10 students who Dorsey said “have done the extra things that make them rise to the top.”

 

The 40 students selected for Youth Appreciate Week recognition were recently honored at a banquet held at St. John Vianney Family Life Center in Prince Frederick. The students, along with family members and friends, enjoyed a meal prepared and served by Maryland Country Caterers.

 

The PHS honorees are:

  • Kate E. Barrett, a member of the Science National Honor Society and Interact Club, who is still undecided about where she will attend college. “I will major in environmental engineering and pursue a career in the environmental field,” Barrett stated.

  • Cassandra N. Beck, a member of the Academy of Finance and captain of the PHS Swim Team, who plans to attend William Paterson University. Beck indicated she will major in international business/economics and plans to seek a career in international economics and finance.
  • Megan L. Denenea, an Advanced Placement (AP) scholar, who is a volunteer at Calvert Memorial Hospital and Annmarie Garden. Denenea’s goal is to complete college and medical school and become a surgeon. 
  • Ronald J. Forster, captain of the PHS Physics Team and president of the Science National Honor Society, who is a Special Olympics volunteer. Forster plans to attend Cornell University, majoring in physics.
  • Kyle J. Kackley, vice president of the Calvert Association of Student Councils, who is an AP scholar with honor. After high school, Kackley hopes to earn a degree in international studies and work for the International Olympic Committee.
  • Symphony A. Love, a member of the Minority Honors Scholarship Society, who also runs track f