Four students from the Sunnyvale area were honored as part of Optimist International's Youth Appreciation Week on Nov. 5.

Receiving awards were Aneta Pariaszevski and Kevin Tran from Fremont High School and Paige Harkness and Ian Carter from Homestead High School.

The event at Quinlan Community Center in Cupertino featured a keynote speech from Capt. John Hirokawa with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department and a performance by the Monta Vista High School Jazz Combo. The clubs in Optimist International's Tech Zone, including groups from Cupertino and Santa Clara, staged the event in concert with the organization's goals to serve local youth and encourage volunteerism within the community.

Mike McKenna, sergeant-at-arms with the Santa Clara club, said that the Optimists asked local schools to nominate students who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to serving the community. Serving as candy stripers, volunteering in nursing homes and mentoring disabled children were just a few of the activities performed by the group of honorees. "The biggest thing is that these kids get recognized not for sports or academics, but just for their involvement with the community," McKenna said.

Harkness, a senior at Homestead, moved to Sunnyvale as a sophomore and quickly became active in school activities. "I think it's wonderful to receive any award and I was honored that Optimist International recognized what I have done for the community," she said. This year, Harkness is the activities director with Homestead's Associated Student Body and serves as a student member on the Fremont Union High School District Board of Trustees.

Optimist International also works with Fremont Union students through junior versions of its organization called Octagon clubs that promote public service at the high school level. Octagon members in the Sunnyvale area recently helped at the Optimists' recent Christmas party for local disadvantaged children by dressing as elves. Many of those receiving awards participate in Octagon clubs and inspired staff members at their respective schools to attend the awards ceremony, which McKenna said boasted more than 300 guests.

"It was great that they took the time to come," he said. "This kind of recognition is how we keep these kids going."