When the Optimist Club of Calvert-Prince Frederick came into existence 43 years ago, the very first program initiated by Optimist International adopted by the local club was Youth Appreciation Week. The tradition of honoring local high school seniors reached the number 40 in 2012. According to local Optimist Ed Dorsey, the club has selected 10 students from each of Calvert’s four public high schools, including Northern High School (NHS).

 

With the help of NHS Guidance Counselor LeTea Perry, the Optimists selected their 10 students who Dorsey said “have done the extra things that make them rise to the top.”

 

The 40 students selected for Youth Appreciate Week recognition were recently honored at a banquet held at St. John Vianney Family Life Center in Prince Frederick. The students, along with family members and friends, enjoyed a meal prepared and served by Maryland Country Caterers.

 

The NHS honorees are:

 

  • Timothy C. Addison is president of both the NHS chapter of the National Honor Society and Future Doctors of America. Addison, who is an Eagle Scout, plans to attend the U.S. Naval Academy and serve as an officer specializing in nuclear engineering. 
  • Lauren N. Buckholtz is a member of the NHS Key Club and Future Business Leaders of America. Buckholtz is hoping to attend either Trinity, Emory or Salisbury University, majoring in business marketing with the aim of entering the fashion industry.
  • Charles S. Collins is an advanced placement (AP) Scholar with Honors and captain of the NHS Soccer team. Collins hopes to attend the University of Maryland, major in computer engineering, serve in the Marine Corps and then work in the computer field.
  • Andre S. D’Souza is president of the Tri-M Music Honor Society and a member of the Calvert Board of Education’s Citizen Advisory Committee. While D’Souza is undecided about where he will attend college, he stated “I will major in biology—pre-med—and probably specialize in pediatrics.”
  • Brianna T. Kovacs is an AP Scholar with Honor and a first-team Southern Maryland Athletic Conference (SMAC) All-Academic. Regarding her future, Kovac