The Daphne Optimist Club celebrated the achievements of 18 future leaders Tuesday evening with its second annual “Youth Appreciation Night” at Daphne United Methodist Church.

President Ben Spencer said the local club has amassed 40 community leader members over the past 12 months, but it is the area’s youth—and a firm commitment to their continued development—that mobilizes the optimist spirit.

“Our membership is a wonderful cross-section of the community—black, white; male, female; old, young—but we all believe strongly in bringing out the best in kids. It’s not just a motto for us. It is a guiding principle that informs and inspires everything we do,” Spencer said.

Nationwide, more than 3,100 autonomous Optimist Clubs boast more than 100,000 members who conduct an estimated 65,000 service projects annually while serving some 6 million youth.

Locally, the Daphne Optimists honored three students from each of the city’s six schools in the categories of academic achievement, sportsmanship and citizenship.

As each student stood beaming on the stage to accept an engraved plaque, community leaders of today read nomination letters written by school officials attesting to the admirable qualities of tomorrow’s leaders for the crowd of more than 100 to hear.

Please see the May 15 Daphne Bulletin for a complete listing of winners and excerpts from school officials' letters.