Ten students from five local high schools recently were honored as the Mehlville Optimist Club celebrated Youth Appreciation Day.
Optimist Clubs worldwide have celebrated Youth Appreciation since 1957 and have recognized outstanding young people for their talents in the arts, academics, athletics and leadership; for their contributions to school; and for their community service.
Youth Appreciation Day is the most popular program sponsored by the Mehlville club and the more than 2,900 other clubs worldwide.
Students honored by the Mehlville Optimist Club include:
Alma Beganovic and Kemal Durakovic, both of Hancock High School.
Jenny Wuerffel and Alex Lahue, both of Lutheran High School South.
Alexis “Lexi” Griess and Brenden Lowe, both of Lindbergh High School.
Kellie Roth and Julie Turek, both of Mehlville High School.
Remy Edwards and Ryan Luebke, both of Oakville High School.
The students, their families and principals from each school were invited to attend the function. To commemorate their accomplishments, each student received an engraved plaque and $100 savings bond.
After breakfast, Nick Dondzila, a senior from Vianney High School, shared an inspirational message with his peers based upon his experience of personal growth and character building after attending a service-oriented conference called Missouri Leadership Seminar.
He challenged the award recipients to obtain and maintain an optimistic viewpoint for their lives and to share that optimism with the people around them through continued service to their school and their community.
John Roland, Optimist Club program co-chair who served as master of ceremonies, then introduced principals and school representatives, who shared with the group how student honorees were selected for their awards.
