Optimists recognize students during Youth Appreciation Week

The Marble Hill Optimists Club recognized two students each from Leopold, Zalma, Woodland and Meadow Heights during Youth Appreciation Week.

Youth Appreciation Week is the Optimists' way to develop close communication with the area's young people and demonstrate to the community the positive contributions the young people are making.

Zalma High School

Stefanie Slemmer, a senior at Zalma, is the daughter of Sheri Slemmer and Steve and Faye Slemmer.

She has been recognized for being on the A honor roll, won a softball pitching award, was recognized as having the best softball batting average. She won various subject awards and took fifth place in districts for radio speaking.

Stefanie has been active with Senior Beta community projects, raised donations to help the homeless and helps her aunt with "rescued racers."

Stephen Simmers, son of Todd and Kim Simmers, is a senior at Zalma. He is involved with Senior Beta, is vice president of FTA, is a member of Student Council and plays basketball. He has been on the B honor roll for three years.

Meadow Heights High School

Junior Makayla McGruder, daughter of Fred and Sherry McGruder has been active in Beta Club while at Meadow Heights. She has played JV and Varsity basketball, was a state qualifier in cross country, and placed sixth in the state FFA-Farm Bureau speech contest, placed 10th in the state for FFA Creed, and is a state-bound district winner of the Semo Fair Speech competition.

In the community, she has been a teacher's aide and Vacation Bible School volunteer at Little Whitewater Baptist Church, participated in an FFA fish fry and food for America presentations for elementary students.

Adam Walker, a senior, has been active at Meadow Heights in Beta Club, Smoke Busters, band and basketball. He is the son of Sandy and Kevin Walker.

Adam earned basketball awards, was offensive player of the year, three point king and most improved player. He was on the Woodland All-Tournament team, and honorable mention all-conference.

He is a member of the Little Whitewater Baptist Church Youth Group, a church camp counselor, church worship leader, Bible School leader. During a mission trip fundraiser Adam started a "Cans for Canada" project to raise money for missions in Canada.

Leopold High School

Leopold senior John Bohnsack has excelled in sports and academics. He has played baseball and basketball for four years, has been in Student Activities Council for three years, Pep Club for four years, Spirit Leader for two years, Beta Club for three years and Business Club for four years.

John is active in St. John's and St. Anthony's Youth Group. He is the son of Joe and Patty Bohnsack.

Katelyn Michelle Brotherton is vice-president of the Beta Club, a member of the Pep Club and Business Club and captain of the Quiz Bowl; a member of the Concert choir, statistics keeper for the softball team, yearbook staff co-editor and Senior Stand Manager. Her parents are Keith and Shirley Brotherton.

Katelyn is active in her church, serving as an altar server, a reader and Eucharistic minister. She plans to study history at Southeast Missouri Stale University.

Woodland High School

Lindsey Whitener, a senior, is Area 15 FFA vice president 2010-2011, Woodland FFA president 2009-2011, Co-Captain Varsity Cheerleading Squad, member of Beta and Pep Clubs, FFA for four years, Beta Club for four years, Pep Club two years and cheerleader, one year.

She was awarded the FFA National Gold Emblem Award. Lindsey is a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Gravelton, and formerly was involved in FFA.

She is the daughter of Kenneth and Lisa Whitener.

Matthew Johnson, a Junior, is the son of Freddie and Tiffany Johnson, is a member of Smoke Busters, WASTED (Woodland Association of Students to End Drugs), and the yearbook staff.

He has been recognized as Student of the Month and is a member of New Salem Baptist Church.