For the first time since 2019, the Optimist Club of Malibu was able to host its annual Youth Appreciation Program in person at Pepperdine University on Thursday, Nov. 17.
“The Malibu Optimists believe it is important to recognize the youth of our community for their efforts and achievements in the arts, athletics, academics and community service work,” the press release says. “On an annual basis, the club honors the accomplishments of Malibu students with the Youth Appreciation Award.”
This year, 24 outstanding students from all five Malibu schools were presented with their awards, along with gift certificates from the Malibu McDonald’s and Malibu Yogurt & Ice Cream at a breakfast ceremony with the school principals, teachers, family, and friends in attendance.
“I was a proud principal celebrating our incredible Malibu High students at this morning’s Optimist Club of Malibu Youth Appreciation Awards ceremony,” Malibu High School Prinicipal Patrick Miller shared on Twitter. “Congrats to all students recognized at this morning’s Optimist Club of Malibu Youth Recognition.”
The masters of ceremonies for this event were SMMUSD School Board Member Craig Foster and Laura Rosenthal, Public Affairs on the Client Relations team.
The 2022 Recipients of the Optimist Club of Malibu Youth Appreciation Award have demonstrated qualities such as exceptional leadership, selflessness, courage and sincere devotion to the welfare of others, and have consistently exhibited the principles of optimism and made positive contributions to Malibu and society as a whole.
The 2022 Youth Appreciation Award Recipients (by school and grade):
Malibu Elementary School:
Fifth grade:
Kailand Ford
Maja Rostampor
Webster Elementary School:
Fifth grade:
Bodhi Skelton
Viola Fernald
Our Lady of Malibu School:
Fifth grade:
Carrington Hale
Charles Nenejian
Sixth grade:
Xue Mastripollito
Bertie Merkell
Seventh grade:
Sophie Falvai
Eighth grade:
Uma Friesen
Malibu Middle School:
Sixth grade:
Aayan Jain
Leila Trujillo
Seventh grade:
Parker Kaplan
Pixie Jones
Eighth grade:
Natalie Lapajne
Terence Tejada-Gonzalez
Malibu High School:
Ninth grade:
Diego Alvarez
Nick Ortiz
10th grade:
Sean Perl
Shane Perl
11th grade:
Hannah Kaloper
Sophie Regan
12th grade:
Charlotte Flores
Jake Sichta