The Manhattan Optimist Club’s Manhattan High Student of the month is Chanae Parker, daughter of Daryl and Michelle Parker.
Chanae is a national Honor Society inductee, a Kansas Scholar and a member of the Distinguished Graduate Service program.
Parker has grown up with a passion for agriculture and has a rich background in service to the 4-H. She serves as president of the Riley County 4-H council and also serves as president of the Ashland Bottoms 4 – H Club. She was selected as a delegate to the National 4-H Conference and is also a member of the Kansas 4 – H Youth Leadership Council.
Chanae holds the office of president of the local FFA chapter and has won numerous awards in FFA competition.
Her service to the community includes developing a presentation series for urban youth about innovation in agriculture and STEM. She has helped organize a back to school clothing drive , led a group in making cards for those in nursing homes, and volunteered to clean up a local community cemetery.
Chanae plans to continue her education studying architectural engineering at Kansas State University.
The Manhattan Optimist Club’s student of the month is designed to recognize Manhattan High seniors that make a difference in their community through volunteerism and leadership activities that have a positive impact on MHS and/or the Manhattan community. The goal of the program is to inspire and encourage youth to get involved in their community in an effort to benefit others.