By Kevin Vinas

Optimist International is a worldwide volunteer organization made up of more than 2,500 local Clubs. The goal of this group is to work each day to create a better future by bringing out the best in children and their communities.

This year’s Optimist Club of Passaic honored many PHS students for their contributions to the community in the arts, in athletics, in academics as well a s community service.

This year the list of students were honored over a virtual presentation ceremony, broadcast live on Mayor Hector Lora’s Facebook page.

The list of honorees this year is Nelsie Abreu, Luis Almanzar, Santiago Avellaneda, Seidy Castillo, Damian Garcia, Valerie Gonzalez, Ashlee Griggs, Jasmine Hernandez, Mary Jimenez, Alicia Julmisse, Ciara Lawson, Kenia Maldonado Santos, Nathalie Maria, Andra Pardo, Urvi Rana, Yesly Rivera Garcia, Angel Santana, Hana Sarmiento, Jacob Toribio, Yael Viruet, and Jona’T Williams, who were all honored for their contributions to the Passaic community.

Mayor Hector Lora said of them that he is proud of these students and congratulated them for their hard work. They will certainly make PHS proud as they graduate and make their mark on the world.