On Wednesday, April 4, the UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club hosted the “Outstanding Spring Youth Awards” luncheon. The event was held in the James R. Connor University Center of the UW-Whitewater campus. There were four students recognized from Whitewater Middle School and four from Whitewater High School. District teachers gave a brief presentation about each of the students and they then, in turn, had the opportunity to introduce their family members who were there to support them.
The teachers had many thoughtful and heart-warming speeches about the students being honored. Students were recognized for characteristics including outstanding behavior, acts of kindness towards teachers and their fellow students, and being involved in school activities.
Students recognized from the Whitewater Middle School include:
![LeahNewmann Leah Newmann, with family members and parents, Dana & Cory Newmann](https://whitewaterbanner.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/LeahNewmann-300x241.jpg)
![DianValadez Dian Valadez, with family members, including her parents Camelia & Martin Valadez](https://whitewaterbanner.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/DianValadez-300x200.jpg)
![JasonBriese Jason Briese, with family members including his mother Kristina Briese](https://whitewaterbanner.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/JasonBriese-300x226.jpg)
![EmersonEllenwood Emerson Ellenwood, with parents Christian & Elisabeth Ellenwood](https://whitewaterbanner.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/EmersonEllenwood-300x200.jpg)
Students recognized from the Whitewater High School include:
![StevenWitt Steven Witt, with mother Julie Witt](https://whitewaterbanner.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/StevenWitt-300x215.jpg)
![AlejandraValdez Alejandra Valdez, with parents Maria & Francisco Valdez](https://whitewaterbanner.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/AlejandraValdez-300x200.jpg)
![RyannAschenbrenner Ryann Aschenbrener, with father Matt Aschenbrener](https://whitewaterbanner.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/RyannAschenbrenner-300x200.jpg)
![BryceParrish Bryce Parrish, with parents Nathaniel & Molly Parrish](https://whitewaterbanner.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BryceParrish-300x200.png)
Members of the UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club enjoyed spending time with students and their families. The club is happy to recognize the outstanding behavior of students and we hope that events such as these encourage other students to aspire to be honored for their efforts.