Youth awarded

  There were smiles all around the hundreds of tables inside Building G at the Ector County Coliseum. Those smiles came from Odessa students and parents.

The annual Youth Appreciation Week Awards saw a total of 312 recipients Monday night as junior high school and high school students were honored for their leadership and success in academics, athletics and involvement.

“We’re really excited about this,” Detra White, Optimist Club president said.

For students like Nahomy Arroyo, a freshman at Ector Junior High School, an award for being involved on the dance team is still surprising.

“I still can’t believe they chose me,” she said with a stiff smile. “For them to choose me, it’s great.”

Other honorees though are just taking in the moment.

Isaac Rivaz is being awarded as Bowie Junior High School’s Band Boy, but instead of being excited, he just remains humble.

“I feel appreciated for what I do,” Rivaz, a bass trombone player, said. “The Bible says, ‘Be humble for what you have’.”

The volunteer caterers of the Chuck Wagon Gang provided the food for the event. UTPB student and  ECISD AVID member Jonathan Grant Brown gave the key note speech.

“Hopefully this will encourage other students”, White said. “The Optimist Club’s motto is ‘Friends of Youth’ and we want to celebrate the accomplishment of the youth in our community.”