YOUTH APPRECIATION

The 33rd annual Youth Appreciation awards night was held on Thursday, November 12, 2009, starting at 7:00 p.m. in the Willis auditorium. Students were introduced and awarded a savings bond and a certificate. The guest speaker for the evening was Monte Harris. The Optimist chairpersons were Betty Ross and Larry Day.

The 2009 honorees are listed below the photo. More photos from the 2009 awards are in!

Each year, the Delaware Optimist Club honors students from Delaware County schools for their positive contributions to society, community service and leadership qualities. Students are nominated from each of the Delaware County middle and high schools including Delaware City, Big Walnut, Olentangy, Buckeye Valley, Delaware Christian, Delaware Area Career Center, and St. Mary. Each school nominates one boy and one girl to receive this award. Students are introduced at the special Youth Appreciation event and awarded a $50 savings bond and a certificate.

Youth Appreciation is intended to recognize students who are good citizens, support other students and their communities, and who have demonstrated leadership. Many of these students are also greatly involved with sports, academic pursuits, the arts, community service projects, their church and their families. The Club strives to recognize students who may not otherwise be recognized by their schools for their positive impact on those around them.

The Youth Appreciation program is a yearly event and a favorite amongst Optimist members. The Delaware Optimist Club has been honoring local youth through Youth Appreciation for 30 years. Youth Appreciation is the most popular program sponsored by clubs throughout Optimist International, with more than 2,000 clubs participating each year. Other programs and service projects the Delaware Optimist Club participates in include the football and cheerleading league, annual flower sale fundraiser, Stranger Awareness, 4th of July Parade, Bicycle Safety, essay contest and scholarship programs.

Optimist International is one of the world's largest service club organizations with 120,000 adult and youth members in 3,800 clubs in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico and throughout the world. Carrying the motto "Bringing Out the Best in Kids," Optimists conduct positive service projects that reach more than six million young people each year. Visit them on the web at www.optimist.org.

YOUTH APPRECIATION 2008

The 2008 Youth Appreciation awards night was held on Thursday, November 13th, 7:00 p.m. in the Willis auditorium. Students were introduced and awarded a savings bond and a certificate. The guest speaker for the evening was Chris Sobo and the Optimist chairperson was Betty Ross. More photos from the 2008 awards.

Thank you to the schools for taking the time to nominate these fine young people. Many thanks to our presenters and guest speaker. Congratulations to all the honorees!

YOUTH APPRECIATION 2007