The following is a release from The Grand Blanc Optimist Club:
The Grand Blanc Optimist Club held it’s 7th Annual Youth Appreciation Award night April 20th at the Grand Blanc Senior Center. Optimist International has been honoring youth for over 50 years and we were very privileged to honor 27 outstanding 4th graders from 10 elementary schools in Grand Blanc who were nominated by their teachers. All of these outstanding young people exemplify the Optimist Creed written in 1919, and we believe are poised to be the leaders of tomorrow. The teachers chose the students based on reasons for nominating their students such as their hard work, helpfulness in the classroom, sense of humor, character, honesty, sense of right from wrong, smiles, and being leaders in the classroom.
Many of the students have had to overcome fears, shyness, handicaps and self doubt this year, yet they have pushed forward and have become wonderful students that are truly an inspiration to their teachers and fellow classmates. These children have very bright futures as their teachers spoke so eloquently about each child. Pointing out specifically areas of great improvement, challenges they have overcome, helping other students and their teachers, citizenship, serving in the community to mention a few.
It was once again a truly an awe inspiring evening, and al the parents were beaming with pride.
Our Emcee for the evening was Kim Russell from NBC25. Kim very graciously accepted our request to be the honorary host of the evening. As she introduced each student and teacher, she added to the special meaning of the night with her humor and personal congratulations to each student.
Following are the students nominated by the teacher and school attended:
Anneliese Hull by Robin Allen at Mason Elementary
Brendan Montague by Mrs Moul McGrath Elementary
Yaser Tahboub by Caitlin Foland at Indian Hill Elementary
Sydney Asman by Amanda Pawlik at McGrath Elementary
Elizabeth SeKrenes by Sarah Stone at Indian Hill Elementary
Rhys Banerjee by Mrs Skinner at Reid Elementary
Stephen Gillman by Krystal Cummings at McGrath Elementary
Kassie McEntire by Jaime Cramer at City School
Taras Butrie by Vickie at Weiss City School
Breona Winn by Kari Robinson at Brendel Elementary
Devin Seirmarco by Heather Asperger at McGrath Elementary
John Brown by Julie Avery at Myers Elementary
Erin Fitzpatrick by Shannon Cameron at Reid Elementary
Diego Dionne by Karen Cormany at Mason Elementary
Brady Gorman by Mrs VanDongen Reid Elementary
Kobey Beauchamp by Bethany Zloto at Holy Family
Kaitlyn Lannon by Becky King at Brendel Elementary
Kamryn Rouse by Paige Sieloff at Myers Elementary
Gage Kosmanopoulos by Nicole Yelen at Indian Hill Elementary
Alia Khirfan by Lisa Pyrett at Myers Elementary
Allyson Childers by Meghann Kildee Young at Mason Elementary
J’Nay Mason by Kristi Philpott at Reid Elementary
Billy Strictland by Alisa Andree at Brendel Elementary
Kate Hill by Nicole Gilbert at Holy Family
Zena Alshomali by Tammy Purdy at Woodland Park Academy
Dominic Sears by Rick Erickson at Woodland Park Academy
Joelle Reich by Christy Smith at Mason Elementary