The Prior Lake-Savage Optimist Club hosted its annual Youth Appreciation Luncheon on May 13, honoring 36 outstanding students from 13 schools.
The students were recognized by their teachers and advisors for their sincere devotion to the welfare of others through service to fellow students, their schools, communities, cities and the world around them. Those selected for the honor were said to consistently go above and beyond, showing kindness, compassion, leadership and a willingness to volunteer and take on projects that improve the lives of others.
Students recognized by the Optimist Club included the following, with their school noted:
Five Hawks Elementary: Olivia Carr and Molly Challenger
Glendale Elementary: Sarah Fleming and Silvie Sommer
Hamilton Ridge Elementary: Leo Chicone
Jeffers Pond Elementary: Ava Simpson and Elyse Weiss
La Ola del Lago Spanish Immersion: Ruby Patton and Eddie Putman
Redtail Ridge Elementary: Thaddeus Anderson and Stella Natvig
WestWood Elementary: Ethan Bodelson and Ana Pettit-Batie
Aspen Academy: Zoey Lewis and Ebissa Nure
St. Michael Catholic School: Mia Erickson and Annie Goracke
Hidden Oaks Middle School: Patience McConaghy, Surina Uka, Addision Weiers and Aedan Phu
Twin Oaks Middle School: Keoni Lara, Saharsha Sanish Thythara, Mary Conley and Gemma Kortueum
Bridges Area Learning Center: Amy Sandoval Tellez
Prior Lake High School: Thaddeus Hoang (Asian Student Association), Syena Bereket (Black Student Union), Arina Dushin (International Student Club), Nick Selle (Laker Leaders), Iris Garay (Latino Hispanic Student Union), Sumayo Yarow (Muslim Student Association), Olivia Benson (Native American Student Coalition), Malin Ray (National Honor Society), Alex Laronge (Queer Teen Coalition) and Talia Bushman (Junior Optimist Club).
Those chosen to be honored by the Optimist Club were also recognized for their positive contributions to the community during the May 12 Prior Lake City Council meeting.
In 1954, a group of Optimists recognized that too much attention was being given to the negative actions of youth, and too little to the vast majority of young people who act with care, responsibility and compassion. To shift the focus and celebrate the positive youth contributions, Youth Appreciation Week was inaugurated.
