The Superior Optimist Club hosted its annual honor roll awards banquet at Besich Park. The annual event is a time honored tradition in Superior recognizing student for their academic achievements. The tradition started many decades ago by the Beta Sigma Phi organization, with the Superior Optimist Club adding a special twist by honoring graduating Seniors with lap top computers if they make the honor roll consecutively from 8th Grade through their senior year.
The event included a key note speech by local Superior High School alumni and current high school teacher Christine Martinez. Martinez spoke about how much the community of Superior supported her during her career transition as a homemaker and child care provider to a full time teacher. She encouraged the students to keep striving for their goals. Her daughter Makayla Martinez who graduated from Superior High School in 2019, and continued her education to receive her Bachelors Degree from Arizona State University in Exercise Physiology and is receiving her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Northern Arizona University this month.
Makayla Martinez spoke as a student success story who was a laptop recipient when she graduated. She reminded students that they should not feel small because they are from a small town like Superior but remember they are competent and can be successful.
Students receiving academic awards are:
First Year 3-time Honor Roll Awards – earning a first year certificate:
Seventh Graders:Avery Arroyos, Jonathan Calhoun, Joshua Daniel Zapata, Ezekiel Gomez, Neomi Gomez, Hailyee Perea-Padilla, Jade Serrano, Gabrielle Silvas, Sade Sinteral
Eighth Graders: Evodio Barrioentos, Abel Careaga, Selstina Gonzales, Lauryn Lopez, Noelle Duarte, Eugene Griego, Ashley Lopez, Jailyn Martinez, Natalie Mendez, and Michael Perea
Freshman and Sophomores: Lawrence Armenta, Adam Ayala, Noah Jimenez, Isiah Torres
Second Year Consecutive Honor Roll earning a Bronze Medal:
Freshmen: Dominic Denogean, Krista Jo Gomez, Christian Hollenbeck, Lilly Navarro-Page, and Barbara Ybarra
Sophomores-Seniors: Mario Bogenschutz, Leia Jimenez, Joel Romero
Third Year Consecutive Honor Roll earning a Silver Medal:
Sophomore-Ryland Duarte and Junior-Monet Coleman
Fourth Year Consecutive Honor Roll earning a Gold Medal:
Juniors: Andrew Blair, Liliana Frtiz, Kadynce Toner
Seniors: Anjonette Fernandez, Antonia Guerena
Fifth Year Consecutive Honor Roll earning a laptop computer:
Seniors: Katelynn Commissaris and Felix Garcia
Earning the laptop computers through the Superior Optimist Club criteria is difficult and challenging. It requires students to not miss a quarter of honor roll. If a student misses the honor roll consecutively, they get moved back to the beginning of the qualifying status of certificate, making it impossible to earn the laptop awards. One bad quarter for a student can easily disqualify them. The Red Bear Outfitters and the family of Ignacio “Nacho” Villaverde have added two special awards each year to award two students who missed the honor roll by one quarter. The Red Bear Outfitters Laptop was awarded to Antonia Guerena and the Nacho Villaverde laptop was awarded to Anjonette Fernandez.
The Superior Optimist Club raises funds throughout the year to fund the awards banquet along with many other community events. Those interested in joining the group are encouraged to email superioroptimistclub@gmail.com or attend one of their meetings the first and third Tuesdays at the Superior Chamber of Commerce office 165 Main Street. Meetings start at 6:30 p.m.