About 140 people — including students, parents, educators and local business leaders — attend the 2024 Optimist Youth Appreciation Day breakfast Nov. 7 at The Crescent Room in Evansville. The Message photo by Megan Erbacher
By Megan Erbacher
The Message editor
In the news, we don’t always hear about the good things going on, Reitz Memorial High School Assistant Principal Darlene Quinlin said to a room full of local high school seniors, but, she said, “You, young adults, are the good things we have going on.”
On Nov. 7, Quinlin was one of several speakers at the 2024 Optimist Youth Appreciation Day breakfast at The Crescent Room in Evansville. About 140 people — including students, parents, educators and local business leaders — were present for the breakfast kick-off. The program is sponsored by the East Side and Downtown Evansville Optimist Clubs.
Jeff Lyons, WFIE television meteorologist, served as the master of ceremonies. Quinlin and Mater Dei High School Director of Guidance Shea Reneer were honored guests. Others in attendance included Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. Superintendent David Smith and the keynote speaker was J.C. Campbell, senior pastor of Greater Hope Christian Church in Evansville.
Deacon Vince Bernardin of St. John Parish in Daylight offered an invocation before breakfast.
“Oftentimes, it’s not what you know, but it’s who you know,” Quinlin said. “One of our core values is relationships, and that is what you are going to do today. You are going to build those relationships.”
After the morning program, 48 students were placed in their preferred field of study based on interest surveys, and they spent the day job shadowing local business leaders and professionals.
Six students from both Mater Dei and Reitz Memorial were honored at the program. Mater Dei students were Jordan Bacon, Bethany Eades, Emma Foreman, Ty Henderson, Olivia Knight and Isaiah Schaefer. Reitz Memorial students were Shania Brand, Elsie Brown, Adonia Dixon, Olivia Jarboe, Ava Mason and Camden Vieke.
Mater Dei’s Shea Reneer thanked the Optimist Clubs of Evansville and the local businesses for allowing students to step into a dream.
“Businesses here have worked and pivoted in letting our seniors really step into a dream,” Reneer said. “Dreams are what the future is going to be. And to make that dream a reality, you’ve got to take some action and you’re taking a step today to do that.
“As you walk into your dream, find your core people,” Reneer continued. “Be vulnerable, share your fears, and share your joys with those people.”
Reneer told students that when obstacles came, their parents pivoted in raising them.
“Be all in with your dream, and if an obstacle comes up, pivot, look for your support people,” she encouraged them. “And I guarantee you God has a great plan for you. It may not be the way you’re looking at it, so keep your eyes open, because your dream may be standing right in front of you, but it’s not what you’re looking for, so ask God for that wisdom.”
At the end of the program, Larry Neisen, president of the East Side Optimist Club and co-chairman of Youth Appreciation Week, surprised Jeff Lyons by presenting him with the Optimist Clubs of Evansville Citizen of the Year Award. Neisen and Lyons have been involved in the program together for more than 20 years.
Students from the following Evansville high schools were also recognized: Bosse, Central, Harrison, New Tech Institute, North and Reitz.
“One of the things that, young people, you need to realize is that you have to be flexible,” Quinlin said. “You have to roll with the punches. … Take advantage of today. … Enjoy it, it’s the first day of the rest of your life.”