"The example we set will determine what our future will be like."
One of 47 sixth grade students from 20 area schools nailed it Monday during an informal survey of why youth volunteerism is important to the community. The students were attending the annual Youth Appreciation Day luncheon at the Traverse City Elks Club where members of the Optimist Club recognized them for their contributions to the community.
Guest speaker Trish Fiebing, the TCAPS Youth Friends coordinator, pulled five students aside before the event started. She charged them with surveying their classmates on the topic of volunteering and why it was important for youth to contribute to others. They circulated, asked and compiled the answers. During the program, they shared them with the audience of Optimist Club members, teachers, parents and peers.
The remarks gathered ranged from being a role model to giving back to investing in the community's future. Fiebing, only half joking, told event organizers that she had five people ready to join the club, what was the minimum age?
"We've just lowered it," replied Mark Koval, president of the club.
The Optimist Club's annual recognition event dovetails with their overall mission.
"We're a friend to youth and we're here to honor the youth of the community," said Bob Simpson, a member of the club.
The program also featured remarks by Rick Csapo, mayor pro tem of Traverse City. Csapo read a proclamation from Mayor Linda Smyka stating that the junior citizens of the community "represent the nation's greatest resource."
The students recognized at Youth Appreciation Day were drawn from Traverse City Area Public Schools elementary schools, East Junior High, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Middle School, Trinity Lutheran, Cornerstone Christian, Traverse Bay Christian and the Traverse Bay Community School.
The method for choosing the students varied, with some schools using peer voting and others teacher or counselor selection. The criteria went beyond academic achievement to include good citizenship, being a good role model and contributing to the community.
"There are so many things that hinge on community service for kids," said Colleen Smith, principal at Glenn Loomis Elementary School. "It was very hard to choose two students to attend but the quality that these kids have I wish all kids had."
With input from sixth grade teachers, Smith chose Mary Dorman and Mitch Gamelin for the honor this year. Both were pleased at the recognition and had been surprised to be chosen.
"It was nice to be recognized as an outstanding citizen," noted Gamelin.
The two students from the Montessori Children's House were chosen from among just five sixth grade students. These students first wrote an essay about themselves, which their classmates scored. Then their teachers weighed in on the essays and the students with the two highest scores attended the event.
"It was a surprise to me and quite an honor," said Nathan Mikulski, who attended along with Callie Kostrzewa. "It was hard to write an essay about yourself because you couldn't do any research."
During her innovative and interactive speech, Fiebing also led all the students through an exercise that instilled a lesson about giving. Dividing them into small groups, she had each person in the group grab and hoard as many pennies as possible from team members. Next, students tried to give away their pennies to team members, who were told not to take them.
Students then discussed the exercise and decided from the lesson that the giving was more valuable. Fiebing also had students share ways they give, with examples including doing chores to helping with disabled siblings to donating money to the Pregnancy Care Center for Mother's Day.
"We've all learned what the Optimist have showed us for years: it's better to give than receive," Fiebing concluded.