Nine Pasadena ISD students were honored as Junior Optimists of the Month for November by the Noon Optimist Club.

Every week, two Pasadena ISD students from each high school campus and two students from each intermediate campus have the opportunity to be selected as Junior Optimists by their school administrators and teachers in recognition of being good citizens in their school and community.

From Park View Intermediate, eighth grader Andrew Dimmick was chosen by the school’s faculty for his positive attitude and his commitment to education.

“Andrew was chosen for this award for his ongoing leadership among his peers, his dedication to his studies and his involvement in several school activities,” said Rob Hasson the school’s principal and president of the Noon Optimist Club. “Andrew is truly an amazing student with a bright future.”

Dimmick plays in the school’s band and recently made first chair in the Regional Band and second chair in the All-City Band. The eighth grader made perfect scores on all the TAKS tests last year, including earning a four on the essay, and after taking the SAT, Dimmick learned he scored better than 90 percent of seniors taking the test.

Along side the Regional and All-City bands, Dimmick is also active in the National Junior Honor Society, the National Academic League, Region Orchestra and District Orchestra. Dimmick said he wants to pursue a career as an ophthalmologist and hopes to attend either the University of Houston or Brigham Young University to study pre-med.

Christopher Hernandez and Courtney Conerly from South Houston High School were also recognized for their involvement in the school and within the community.

Hernandez, a centerfielder for the school’s varsity baseball team, is also the student council secretary and takes several honors classes. He wants to play baseball at either the universities of Houston or Texas and major in business.

Conerly received an Academic Excellence award and is a member of the choir, drama club and the Business Professionals of America. She works part-time at the district’s administration building in the payroll department, and she hopes to attend Belmont University in Nashville and major in music.

Bondy Intermediate’s principal Dan Connolly said his student Corey Blanton was selected as a Junior Optimist during November because he serves as a role model to his peers.

“Corey’s grades are important to him, and it shows,” Connolly said. “He is self-motivated and has an impeccable sense of right and wrong. He is a respectful young man with a strong moral character. He is a leader.”

Blanton is involved in the school’s band and football team. He also sings in his church choir and is active in the Boy Scouts of America.

Blanton said he was honored to be named a Junior Optimist.

“This recognition motivates me to be successful because I know I have to make good grades now so I can be successful later in life,” Blanton said. “I want to be a good role model to other students.”

Blanton wants to attend Stephen F. Austin University and major in the automotive industry, agriculture or engineering.

“Students should all think about how their actions today affect their futures,” Connolly said. “By taking advantage of all schools and communities offer, students will be successful in whatever field they choose as a career. This program helps validate, recognize and reward outstanding students who strive for these goals.”

Pasadena Memorial High School seniors Clint Williams and Courtney Watts were also honored last month. Williams is active in band, basketball, the National Honors Society and Pre-AP classes, and Watts is a cheerleader, serves as a captain on the dance team and sings in the school’s choir. She also volunteered at the George R. Brown Convention Center during the Thanksgiving holidays.

Gilbert Cruz from Queens Intermediate and South Houston Intermediate’s Aracely Guerra were also chosen to represent their schools as Junior Optimists.

“Aracely was chosen for this award unanimously by all her teachers because she is such a hard worker,” said the school’s peer facilitator Gail Ward. “She tries hard to do everything well. She is polite and an excellent role model for other students. We look forward to her making her dreams of becoming a doctor come true.”

Manuel Garcia and Michelle Villareal from Pasadena High School were honored as well.

Sam Rayburn High School seniors Roberto Guzmon and Kristen Palmer received awards also. Guzmon is active in the Academic Decathlon and Robotics, and Palmer participates in HOSA and is a member of the flag corps.

“We look for students that participate in lots of activities as well as serve as good citizens, and both Roberto and Kristen demonstrate those qualities,” said Rayburn’s assistant principal Charlie Riggs. “This is a great program because we emphasize to the students that it’s very good to help others and to give back to the community.

Guzmon said it’s nice to be honored for the hard work he and the other recipients put into their studies, and he said he encourages his peers to work hard as well.

“I’m very proud to receive this honor,” Guzmon said. “My peers should be involved with school activities and the community but most importantly their class work. Education will take them a long way and this award is one of the many they can get throughout their life, so they must be motivated to work hard.”

Palmer said she thinks the award is great, but the work needed to be done to receive it is even more important than the recognition itself.

“Roberto and I both stay active and keep up our good grades,” she said. “We both have learned how to manage our time, take on leadership roles and still have time for family and friends. The recognition is definitely nice and appreciated, but it’s not everything.”