Five South students were honored at the Annual Ralph Lynch Youth Appreciation Awards, sponsored by the Glenview Optimist Club, in recognition of students in categories including sportsmanship, scholarship, citizenship, and vocal accountability,  Principal Dr. Barbara Georges said. 

Juniors David Thekkath, Sunil Mishra, Emily MacPherson, Abby Gartner, and senior AJ Battogtokh were granted the Optimist Award on Nov. 19, Thekkath said. The award is presented by the Glenview Optimist Club, a branch of Optimist International, established in 1961 and founded by Ralph Lynch, which aims to highlight student achievements in the school environment, Thekkath said.

“I received the Optimist Award because of the work I put into Student Council and my participation in many events connected to Student Council,” Thekkath said. “It’s not every day that you get recognition for just the amount of work you put into something.” 

The Optimist Award celebrates students’ work ethic and attitudes in social situations and the classroom, Gartner said. Nominated by her Titan Poms coach, Julie Smith, a special education teacher and transition specialist at South, Gartner received the award for her positive attitude both in and out of the classroom, Gartner said.

“I try to put 110 percent effort into the things I do, including schoolwork and poms,” Gartner said. “The award is a recognition of my hard work and my attention to the way I interact with my peers to support their goals.”

The award, which is personally handed to them by a representative of the Glenview Optimist Club,  gave the five students deserved recognition for their hard work and positive outlooks, Gartner said.  

“It was a good feeling to receive this award because one of my biggest values is being positive and carrying a smile wherever I go,” Gartner said. “I have always found it crucial to look past whatever you are going through and search for the light at the end of the tunnel.”