The Superior Optimist Club hosted the annual honor roll banquet as part of the end of year activities for the Superior Junior-Senior High School. The honor roll banquet originated as a program of the Beta Sigma Phi organization and the tradition continued with the Superior Optimist Club.
Students start in the eighth grade on their quest to earn a laptop computer their senior year in high school. In order to achieve the laptop level, students must earn the honor roll the first three quarters of the school year beginning their eighth grade year and maintain that throughout their senior year. If they miss a year they start the process over again, starting at the certificate level. This year, nine eighth graders began their quest for for a laptop computer and five seniors were awarded laptop computers.
Earning laptop computers were: Elias Olmos, Gabriella Kipp, Ivie Lopez, Phalicitee Thomas, and Terrece Flowers. There were a total of 47 students recognized for their honor roll achievements.
The awards are given out during a banquet that the club has catered. This year, with the help of Red Bear Outfitters, the students and their families were served a steak dinner. This year’s guest speakers were:
• Matthew Magallanez, who was a laptop recipient in 2009 who graduated a few years ago from ASU. He talked to the students and their families about his experiences at ASU.
• Jesse Garcia a 1967 Superior High School graduate was the keynote speaker for the evening. He thanked his wife for the many successes in his life. Garcia is a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the US Army and also retired from the US Postal Service. He spoke of determination and reminded the students to never give up as he shared personal stories from his career.