Wednesday, February 22, 2012 —
Albemarle Optimist Club recently conducted its annual youth appreciation activities which concluded with a Youth Appreciation Dinner at First Baptist Church in Albemarle.
These activities are part of an internationally recognized program through Optimist International.
The local club’s program specifically deals with two major events. First, the Optimists work with Albemarle Middle School (AMS) and city governmental officials from Albe-marle to conduct the Youth in Government Program. In this program, 15 eighth grade students from AMS are selected to shadow the city’s hired and elected governmental officials for an entire morning, and then invited to attend the regular monthly city council meeting that same evening. The students learn about how city government operates, and get to see first hand elected officials deal with local issues.
The 15 students selected to participate in this year’s Youth in Government Program and their respective positions were: Mayor – Katherine Mansfield; City Manager – Bradley Thomp-son; Finance Manager – Diana Mata; Recreation Director – Caleb Bird; Police Chief – Tyshianna Bruton; Fire Chief – Jack Williams; Utilities Director – Landon-Anne Mullis; Personnel Director – Kristy Thorpe; City Council members – Fidel Roldan, Scottie Green, Karen Sanchez, Olivia Hudson, Nijel Mon-roe, Mackenzie Billings and Joey Little.
The second program in the local youth appreciation activities involves the selection and recognition of elementary students from Central Elementary School and East Albemarle Elementary School. School officials at these two schools are asked to select two or three students from both the fourth and fifth grades to represent their schools. These students are to be selected based on overall academic performance and on general social and leadership skills. Once selected these students are invited by the Optimist Club to a free dinner and special recognition.
The elementary students selected this year were: From Central – fourth graders, Lauren Kimrey and Savannah Black; and fifth graders, Abby Wangler, Andrea DeCarlos, and Jasmine Collins; From East – fourth graders, LaShawn Green, Kaleah Gaddy and Jailia Vang; and fifth graders, Angel Ochoa, Kniya Little and Alex McDow.
The Optimist Club’s annual Youth Appreciation Din-ner is held to recognize both the Youth in Government students from AMS and the outstanding students selected from the local elementary schools.
At this dinner, the Optimist Club explains to the students and school faculty guests what the Youth Appreciation Program is about and recognizes each of these students. In addition, two AMS students tell the group about their experiences during the Youth in Government Day.
The Albemarle Optimist Club has conducted some form of the Youth Appre-ciation Program annually for more 50 years now. The coordinator for this year’s activities was Reed Furr.
Local News
Related Photos
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AMS students, front row, left to right: Bradley Thompson, Mackenzie Billings, Jack Williams and Katherine Mansfield; back row: Nijel Monroe, Joey Little, Fidel Rodan and Olivia Hudson. Contributed photo
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Elementary students, front row, left to right: Savannah Black, Lauren Kimrey, Julia Vang and Angel Ochoa; back row: Abigail Wangler, LaShawn Green, Alex McDow and Jasmine Collins Contributed photo
Discussion
Optimist Club hosts youth appreciation event
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