The Optimist Club of Reno celebrated the best of our youth on April 19th, 2024 at the Elks Grand Lodge. We enjoyed a magical evening being entertained by an awe-inspiring magician that left us in wonder.  We were delighted to see the Wolf Pack Bots demonstrate their robots, the Scouts reminding us of our duty and pledge, the Basecamp Alpha kids teaching us that service begins at a very early age, and that achievement through hard work and dedication can help one achieve their dreams. Special thanks goes to Alanna Martin, David Block, Oratorical and Essay Chairs Ricci Elkins and Lorraine Seabert, Reno Special Friends Optimist Club for conducting the raffle sales, and for all the parents and room full of volunteers and supporters that made it a beautiful, fun celebration of our Youth.

The Youth Achievement Award Celebration awarded over $28,000, honored dozens of youth, and provided youth program support to: seven college scholars; four trade scholars; two individual recognition awards, Tommy Walsh Long Drive Golf Champion,  Kiana Reynolds, UNR Journalism;  two club finalists that advanced to the district essay and oratorical contests in Sacramento; 4 Junior Optimist Clubs (Galena Clawbotics, a rookie FRC team that competed in Houston, TX at the FIRST World Championships, Basecamp, FYRE and FLL UNR Wolf Pack Bots); and three community partners: Scouts 150, Reno Tahoe Athletics, Kid Rocker.  What an incredible night!