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Teens of the year: Mayor's Youth Advisory Council recognized for community service |
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Tuesday, 27 May 2008 |
It was all about saluting youth. This tribute to a special group of young people took place recently at Benton City Hall where members of the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council were recognized for their service to the community.
Angela Ross and Jill Johnson, who serve as adult sponsors for the group of 32 youths, presented several special awards at the event.
“It is truly an honor to serve as sponsors for this youth organization,” Johnson said.
“We give special thanks to Mayor Rick Holland and the City Council for their support of these outstanding young people,” she said.
Ross called 2007-2008 “another great year” for the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council.
“Each of these members did an outstanding job of serving our community and representing the city in an honorable way,” she said.
Pointing out that community service is a requirement of the council, she noted that members were exposed to various nonprofit organizations in the community. “They have learned the importance of helping and supporting those organizations that provide help to our city,” she said.
Each member is required to give at least 18 hours of community service per year, Ross explained, and noted that “many of the members gave well above the requirement.”
Council projects this year included stenciling storm drains in the city, serving at the Boys and Girl Club of Saline County gala fundraiser, serving at the Benton Area Chamber of Commerce Cajun Feast, participating in the Saline County Fair Parade, assisting at Old-Fashioned Day and participating in Downtown Benton’s Spook City and Easter Egg Hunt. Other projects for the council included Habitat Youth United, Keep Benton Beautiful and Safe Haven domestic violence shelter.
“In February these young people gave up their lunch breaks at school for a week manning a table where over 150 students visited and were provided educational materials about teen dating violence,” Ross said.
“This project brought a lot of attention to the subject and began a conversation among their peers,” she added.
Ross and Johnson presented the following awards to the specified youths:
• Soaring Spirit Award, Devan Malone.
• Most Inspiring Member, Emily Noles.
• Rookie of the Year, Travis Kersh. The award recognizes a first-year member who exhibits “strong leadership qualities and a true spirit of cooperation and sincerity,” Ross said, adding that Kersh also “exhibits some of the best manners I have ever encountered in a young person.”
• Member of the year, which was a tie between Ali McAtee and Baxter Reecer. Both are seniors and two-year members.
• Officer of the Year, Ali McAtee, president of the council.
• Five-star community service awards representing 40 or more hours of service — Ali McAtee and Lindsey Wall.
• Four-star community service awards representing 31-40 hours of service — Shelby Poole, Brantley Neighbors,Travis Kersh, Caitlin Jones and Katy Stracener.
• Three-star community service awards representing 25-30 hours of service — Jordan Fletcher, Rachel Lee, Devan Malone, Molly Moore, Andy Moon, Emily Noles, Baxter Reecer, Dana Rumph, Kayla Shirey and Jessica Stonesifer.
• 24-hour service certificates — Bo Baxley, Jordan Benedict, Payton Bishop, Hayley Brannon, Brad Cash, Candace Chandler, Joanna Curtis, Jonica Curtis, Carly Glover, Parker Hale, Katie Holland, Lisa Johnson, Roger Norman, Brittany Ponder and Alyson Walker.
Seniors serving on the council were singled out for recognition. They are Payton Bishop, Hayley Brannon, Brad Cash, Candace Chandler, Jonica Curtis, Lisa Johnson, Travis Kersh, Rachel Lee, Ali McAtee, Andy Moon, Brantly Neighbors, Emily Noles, Roger Norman, Baxter Reecer, Dana Rumph and Alyson Walker. |
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