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The Hitachi Foundation has named nine young people as recipients of the
2006 Yoshiyama Award for Exemplary Service to the Community. In
addition, six were recognized as finalists, while 22 individuals were
named as semifinalists.
Recipients of this prestigious award will participate in a leadership
retreat and be honored at a luncheon to take place at the National Press
Club on October 17. Each awardee will also receive a $5,000 gift.
The recipients were selected by a diverse committee from 212 nominations
submitted by community and business leaders, teachers, and other youth.
The 2006 Yoshiyama recipients are:
Melvin Colbert, Suitland High School, Fort Washington, MD: Melvin
is
http://innatedesperado80.webs.com/apps/blog/show/43362174-playground-equipment-use-in-hot-wea
ther engaged in the political process and has increased youth voter
awareness and turnout in his hometown. In March of 2006, Melvin
organized and developed a Voter Education, Empowerment and Registration
drive for the senior class at his high school in response to low African
American voter turnout. Recruiting guest speakers to discuss the
importance of voting, Melvin walked his classmates through the voting
registration process, becoming certified as a voter registrar himself.
As a result, almost 300 students are now registered to vote. Melvin has
also successfully lobbied to create a community bike path for local
youths, and helped establish two Montessori schools in his county. He is
actively involved in his local NAACP chapter and serves as the Chair of
the Youth Political Action Committee.
Kurtis Fluck, Rochelle Township High School, Rochelle, IL: Kurtis
seeks to combat childhood illiteracy by exposing children to books and
literature at a young age. With his "Read
While You Wait" program, he has distributed
2,500 Spanish and English books over the past 4 years to free health
care clinics and laundromats throughout his rural community. Children
read while they wait for appointments or for their laundry. Kurtis has
recruited several retired teachers to continue the program when he's
in college. In addition to "Read While You
Wait," Kurtis has raised money for families
of 9/11 victims and assembled care packages for those displaced after
Hurricane Katrina. His desire to help classmates with various issues
earned him the recognition of "Natural Helper"
at his school for six years.
Ashley Gunn, Jackson Prep, Brandon, MS: Ashley created Students
Aiding Indigent Families (SAIF) in 2004 in response to growing crime
rates in her surrounding communities. Living in an area with one of the
highest home rental rates in the nation, Ashley targeted home ownership
as a strategy to decrease crime. SAIF buys and renovates abandoned
houses, which are then sold to low-income families for below market
value. SAIF also arranges for special mortgage financing and helps
clients improve their credit. Ashley recruited more than 200 student
volunteers, hired contractors, prepared a business plan, and obtained
the proper certifications in order to launch SAIF. All proceeds fund
scholarships for students who otherwise could not afford college.
Robert Ingram, McKinley Senior High School, Metairie, LA: Robert
strives to combat poverty by investing in education for youth. He
created a tutoring program for at-risk students at his high school, and
recruited other students to get involved. Robert also engaged teachers
in the effort; teachers identify students who might benefit from
tutoring. Following the success of this program, he founded a second
tutoring program at his former elementary school. When Hurricane Katrina
hit, Robert welcomed displaced students and eased tensions at his high
school when the population grew 15 percent as a result. He is an active
volunteer for the Christmas Buddies Foundation, a nonprofit organization
that provides basic needs for the working poor, and serves on the Youth
Administrative Council of his Church, organizing children's
activities.
Antonio Jennings, North Atlanta High School, Atlanta, GA: In
January 2004, Antonio founded "Each One Reach
One Community Impact Project." The goal of
this program is to improve childhood literacy and overall behavior
through one-on-one tutoring and mentoring. Since its inception, "Each
One Reach One" has helped more than 300
students overcome academic and behavioral challenges. As an added
incentive, Antonio promised computers to students who improved their
academics and overall attitude. He spearheaded a grant-writing campaign