Youth Appreciation
Youth Appreciation is a program of Optimist International that recognizes the Youth in our communities for outstanding service in their community.
The Bay City Noon Optimist Club has recognized the students from the local area schools for close to 40 years. The students are presented with a certificate suitable for framing, and the Mayor of Bay City presents each youth with a "Youth Appreciation Proclamation" certificate . The youths are chosen from within their respective schools by the recommendation of school personnel.
BCNOC's Youth Appreciation 2025
Since 1956, Optimist International, and Optimist Clubs throughout the world, have recognized local youth for their efforts in the arts, athletics, academics and community service work. This program is known as Youth Appreciation, and it is the perfect opportunity for Optimists to make a difference in their community and demonstrate the Optimists’ commitment to young people.
Front row seated L to R:
Honorees: M.J. Falasz, Erik Schlicker, Annalise Cushway, Claire Donahue,
Kielerra Clemmons, Marlee Gwizdala
2nd row standing L to R: Keynote Speaker James Tromba,Jr., BCNOC President Kathy Dardas,
Honorees: Zaidreyhana Jackson, Lilly Bark, Jonas Wilcox, Storm Reinbolt, Adrienne Rau,
Nia Wynn, Kaden Gage
3rd row standing L to R: Bay City Mayor Christopher Girard,
Honorees: Willow Julian, Rishi Sood, Branson Szilagyi, Will Oliver, Ben Peters, Nathan Rytlewski.
Michigan District Optimist Governor Sean Mueller
Absent from picture: Alyssa Parish