Houston students get special honors

The Warner Robins Noon Optimist Club recently recognized its 2016-2017 students of the year.

Alyssa Etheridge was chosen from Warner Robins High School. Alyssa graduated with a 4.0 GPA and was ranked third in her class. Her academic awards include Academic honor roll for three years, Spanish Award and the U.S. and World Affairs Award. She was a Georgia Certificate of Merit Scholar and an AP Scholar with Distinction. She was involved in the Partner’s Club, Math, Science and Beta Clubs, as well as the Spanish Club — which she served as president. Alyssa was the secretary of the National Technical Honor Society. She qualified for both state and national DECA competitions. Alyssa was chosen to represent Warner Robins High School at Georgia Girls State in the summer of 2016. She volunteers in the community with local food drives, trash cleanup and at the animal shelter.

Emma Rowland from Northside High School was ranked second in her class and graduated with a 4.0 GPA. She received the Georgia certificate of merit and perfect attendance award for two years. She was the drum major for the Northside Marching Band for two years and was named Rookie of the Year, Sophomore of the Year and Junior of the Year. She was selected to the District 11 and South Georgia Region Band for three years. Emma is a member of Beta Club, the Junior Projects Committee, Senior Exec, an Eagle Ambassador and has participated in theater at Northside, including the One Act State Championship-winning show “Music Man.” She sings in her church choir and plays the piano for the youth program. She will be attending Brigham Young University.

Harrison Booth from Houston County High School graduated with a 4.0 GPA. He was selected to serve as a page for the Georgia General Assembly in February 2017. He was president of the Houston County High School National Honor Society and a member of the Technology Student Association and the Technical Honor Society. He lettered in wrestling and cross country and served as the captain of the cross country team. He earned his Eagle Scout through Troop 550, where he served in numerous leadership positions and was named Boy Scout of the Year by the Robert L. Scott District. He is a member of the Order of the Arrow. Harrison has been accepted to the U.S. Air Force Academy and plans on being a pilot.

Sanjana Das of Veterans High School graduated with a 4.0 GPA and was 11th in his class. Sanjana was nominated for Governor’s Honors in mathematics and lettered on the varsity tennis team his freshman year. A member of the Beta Club for four years and an officer in the chapter for two year, Sanjana was also the vice president of the Social Studies Honors Society. Sanjana served as freshman class president and the junior class treasurer. As a sophomore, Sanjana competed in the science fair and won the ASU Sustainability Award and The Office of Naval Research Naval Science Award and was eligible to attend State. Outside of school, Sanjana volunteered at the Houston Medical Center for four years and the Southwood Animal Hospital. Sanjana will be attending Emory University in the fall to study biology and eventually medicine.

Along with the high school students, the Warner Robins Noon Optimist Club also annually recognizes a student of the year from Pearl Stephens Elementary School. Ariannah Douglas is an honor student who participates in many activities at Pearl Stephens including Strings of Pearl, Voice of Pearl, News Cast and the Science Olympiad team.

The Warner Robins Noon Optimist Club is a civic club which sponsors several projects that benefit young people in the community. The four high school students selected as Student of the Year all received a scholarship. For more information about being a part of the Warner Robins Noon Optimist Club, contact club president, Mark Bohnstedt at president@wroptimist.org.

This story was originally published June 17, 2017 at 4:50 PM with the headline "Houston students get special honors."