The Raymore-Peculiar Sunrise Optimist Club on April 21, 2024, honored top students at Raymore-Peculiar High School during its 36th annual Excellence in Education Banquet.
The club honored the top 25 seniors, the top 15 juniors, and the top 11 sophomores in their respective classes. Erik Gingrich, 2012 Ray-Pec graduate and Data Specialist at FINRA, was the keynote speaker. Greetings were also shared by Dr. Mike Slagle, Superintendent of the Ray-Pec School District, and Dave Gover, Optimist West Central Governor.
Dean Johnson played piano as guests arrived. Zachary Houston played a marimba solo, and was accompanied by Jack Clingan on drums for one selection. Entertainment was also provided by a trombone trio of Riley Zimmerman, Omari Mourning, and Ben Robinson; and a clarinet trio of Audrey Mitchell, Jeneva Craig, and Hayden Scammacca.
Jim Kopetsky, president of the Ray-Pec Sunrise Optimist Club, and Scott Bacon, principal of Ray-Pec High School, presented the awards.
Also during the banquet, the Ray-Pec Sunrise Optimist Club honored five seniors who will receive scholarships from the club. Congratulations to Jana Bruce, Ava Butler, Jillian Collom, Patrick Martin, and Emily Morris. They are pictured with Optimist Club President Jim Kopetsky.
Seniors
Grace Bowen, Aldan Brokaw, Kaelyn Bruss, Jillian Collom, Erin Compton, Jeneva Craig, Jonah Craig, Jessina Jathaul, Layne Jensen, Savannah Jordan, Natalie Kies, Samantha Larkins, Makayla Lint, Emma Lintecum, Patrick Martin, Mia Mikulicz, Audrey Mitchell, Olivia Nelson, Hayden Scammacca, Brayden Schulze, Dallin Seeley, Kayla Starkey, Bailey Thompson, Fatima Zaheer, and Riley Zimmerman. They are pictured with Optimist West Central Governor Dave Gover.
Juniors
Isabel Blakely, Grace Chambers, Angelina Crosby, Sophie Dick, Elly Dillon, Owen Eissler, Hailey Feagins, Alex Gawron, Lana German, Hannah Gross, Annika Hunter, Madison Johnson, Eyan Karr, Ezra Robertson, and Kali Schroeder. They are pictured with Optimist West Central Governor Dave Gover.
Sophomores
Arianna Degondea, Michelle Duran, Ansley Harper, Zachary Houston, Ethan Hunziker, Kevin Keys, Dallin Reeser, Brenna Simpson, Christopher Stanley, Sophie Terry, and Madalyn Young.