The Optimist Club of Peachtree City held its annual Youth Appreciation Banquet Nov. 14 at the Peachtree Wyndham Conference Center. The second week in November is set aside by Optimist International as Youth Appreciation Week. High School Guidance Counselors and Youth Agencies nominated students to be honored. The criteria for nomination was based on the student’s ability to demonstrate leadership skills, their participation in volunteer programs, participation in community improvement projects, involvement in extra-curricular school activities, demonstration of environmental awareness and scholastic achievement.

The following 11 students were honored:

• Rhiannon Martinelli, nominated by Bill Schmitz, Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School.

• Chelsea Mansulich, nominated by Shellie Edwards, Starr’s Mill High School.

• Franklin Lowe, nominated by Cathy Folden, Fayette Middle School.

• Jasmine Farmer, nominated by Lynda Manwaring, J.C. Booth Middle School.

• Connor Mac Bean, nominated by Kathy Burdg & Bill Camper, coordinators for Optimist Octagon Club at Starr’s Mill High School.

• David Lebby, nominated by Rich Mannion, Whitewater Middle School.

• Christine Dunphy, nominated by Tere Goodwin, Sandy Creek High School.

• Mason Drake, nominated by Jamie Delameter, Rising Starr Middle School.

• Sam Harwart, nominated by Pam Young & April Prater, Fayette Family YMCA.

• Elizabeth Ann Herrera, nominated by Sonya Tucker, McIntosh High School.

• Mitchell Watson, nominated by Shery Kearney, Flat Rock Middle School.

There was a special solo performance by Ellen Sturgill, a Junior from McIntosh High School. The student’s families, the nominators and Optimist Club members came together to share in the accomplishments of these outstanding students.

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