"Putting The You Into Youth" - Recognition Awards

Bill Sampson of Marquette is being recognized for his long-term support of Marquette Senior High School’s photography club. Bill helped start the photography club at MSHS 10 years ago. Through his dedicated efforts, there now are a fully operational dark room, 35 mm cameras, digital cameras and an electronic imaging lab for students to use. Through Bill’sMentoring efforts, students’ work is displayed at an annual art show and sale held at the Oasis Gallery in celebration of the club’s artistic expression and photographs. Because of Bill’s commitment to young people, the club is an active and a vital part of MSHS. The club photographs school events, dances, sporting events and student life. The MSHS yearbook photographers are also learning under his instruction. Bill’s dedication, and his genuine concern and caring of students have led to more students joining the club each year. Brenda Striler, a teacher from MSHS, nominated Bill saying, “We at MSHS are honored by Bill’s dedication, strong work ethic, and his professionalism.” Thank you Bill for all that you do for young people in our community!

Meredith Mikulich of Munising "puts the you into youth" each day. She has spent her time volunteering for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, Easter Seals, the Alzheimer's Walk, LMAS Community Health Board, her Student Council and Tri-Hi-Y. She is also captain of the Munising Cheerleading Team, teaches preschool religion, facilitates the Little Kids Clinic and was just voted most all around and outgoing student at Munising High School.

Meredith recently wrote and secured a grant for PRIDE (Parents Resource Institute Drug Education). Because of this grant, over 800 students in grades 5-12 from Alger County attended a program to encourage healthy lifestyles free of drugs, alcohol, tobacco and violence. According to her nominator, Mary Bowerman, "Meredith's concern about the youth of Alger County and the facilitation of projects that provide them with the building blocks to make positive decisions is a great asset to this community. Her enthusiasm can be viewed as an indicator of how youth value themselves and she has certainly accomplished much to put the youth of Alger County at the top of this community's agenda."

We would like to thank Meredith for all that she does to support youth in her community! Congratulations Meredith!

Dave Brugman of Marquette is making a wonderful impact on the development of hundreds of children, youth and their families in Marquette County. During several evenings each week throughout the year, Dave coaches local girls and boys in various sports including hockey, softball and baseball. His coaching ability and passion for skills has led his girls' hockey teams to state finals and championships. However, Jim Edwards of the U.P. Children's Museum, who nominated Dave for the "Put the You Into Youth Award", says Brugman remains modest. Having observed Dave's energetic dedication to young people, both on and off of the playing field, as well as in numerous other community settings, Edwards said Dave also makes kids feel special in many other ways, such as remembering their names and conversing with them on the street or in restaurants and stores.

We salute Dave Brugman for the many ways he promotes positive youth development in our community!

Bruce Farrell of Marquette mentors youth in a unique and lasting way. He recently retired after teaching Spanish and math at Negaunee High, but his educator's heart still goes out to youth. Bruce is also a talented home builder and since 1964 he has mentored many young men and women on his construction sites while building numerous homes.

Each summer about six students are invited to be on his crew. He even provides each student with their own toolbox and a few tools to get started. Bruce has an important stipulation for the youth who are given this opportunity. While training them in building skills and problem solving on the job, he also strongly encourages them to go to college and stay in college until graduation. During the several year period they work with him, Farrell's excellent mentoring helps students develop many skills they can apply throughout their lives. We salute Bruce Farrell for being an outstanding mentor and adult role model!

Sue Bond of Munising was recently presented the "Put the You into Youth" award by the Great Lakes Center for Youth Development. Sue's exemplary commitment to young people does not go unnoticed. Her daily work in the Alger Parks & Recreation office keeps her focused on community activities for local youth, but Sue's attention to youth doesn't end at 5 p.m. As a busy mom, her evening hours are often spent attending sport activities, volunteering as a baseball coach or chaperoning other youth activities. Sue was presented with the "Put the You into Youth" award, not only for going beyond the call of duty, but also for the way she does it. She is exceptional at modeling nurturing qualities and wins the trust of the youth she encounters. Her caring and supportive ways teach young people empathy, sensitivity and friendship skills. Every day she is greeted enthusiastically by a stream of middle school kids who stop at her office to say hello. She knows them all, asks how they are, listens to their concerns and doesn't hesitate to nudge them in the right direction if they're disheartened, upset, or feeling lazy. Sue's nurturing approach empowers the youth, and knowing she values them, the kids respect her and seek her advice. We salute Sue Bond for being an adult role model and instilling in youth many of the assets defined by Search Institute as necessary for their positive development. Congratulations, Sue!

Bruce Ulstad, Assistant Pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church of Ishpeming, has put great energy into positive youth development. It has been said, "it takes the whole community, and every sector within the community, to build assets in young people." In support of this idea, Bruce has taken a leadership role in actively mobilizing the faith-based sector in the area to embrace the 40 Developmental Assets model for youth development. By providing information, resources and great ideas to his colleagues, he has encouraged them to integrate the asset framework within their day-to-day work. Bruce has been very instrumental on the Steering Committee for Marquette and Alger Counties' Promise - The Alliance for Youth and the Marquette/Alger Vision Team. He has been a passionate leader in the concept of building assets in young people so they may grow up healthy, competent and caring. When Bruce retires by the end of December 2001, he and his wife, Joyce, will be moving to the Minneapolis area. They are looking forward to living near two of their adult children and their first grandchild. Our community will miss a great leader as Bruce moves on to the next exciting chapter in his life. However, with the strong groundwork he has laid in the faith-based sector and through his passion, leadership and commitment, we are sure his legacy will continue.

Ruth and Duke Snyder of Munising have impacted the lives of many youth in Alger County. Through Ruth's involvement with various community groups she has encouraged organizations to learn about youth asset and resource development. As an AmeriCorps Promise Fellow, Ruth recruited 200 volunteers and mobilized them to implement the five resources so critical to positive youth development: mentor, protect, nurture, teach and serve.

Duke has spent endless hours as a volunteer Altran bus driver, taking student groups to important events in the Lower Peninsula and Chicago. He has devoted 20 plus years to advocating for the Boy Scouts of Alger County, committed time in many ways to the youth at Eden Lutheran Church, and participated with local youth in the July 4th and Chatham Homecoming parades. Duke was a foster parent for the Probate Court System for five years. He chaired the U.P. District 10 Lions Club Youth Exchange for several years and sponsored several exchange students to the U.P.

Ruth and Duke Snyder are making a wonderful difference in the lives of youth in our community by modeling, as well as instilling, developmental assets. Thank you, Ruth and Duke!

Rochelle Cotey, of Munising, really cares about kids! She has been involved with or supported most youth activities in and around Alger County for many years. Rochelle has provided hours of service to Munising, as well as Alger County youth activities. As a member of the Alger County Kiwanis, she helps promote activities such as Special Olympics. Rochelle is very supportive of high school sports programs and works closely with youth-serving organizations including Alger Parks and Recreation, and various educational and religious groups. Rochelle also serves on the board of the Great Lakes Center for Youth Development. We salute Rochelle's service to youth in Munising and elsewhere in Alger County.

The Other Leading Brand is a local rock band comprised of Marquette Senior High School students Brandon Paananen, Josh Staffeld, Clara Hardie, Anna Patrick, Dave Purlove, and Andy Burri. The band has gained recognition among local youth and has had their music played on WMQT-107 Radio. This group of students is being honored with the "Put the You into Youth" award for demonstrating a sense of purpose for their music through various acts of community service. The band has played for donations and "tips" for Bothwell Middle School Bay Cliff 7th grade Camp Nesbit Experience and played on their Fourth of July float in 1999 and 2000. They also donated their time and talent to entertain at the Blueberry Festival in Marquette on Saturday, August 4, 2001. They have promoted positive youth assets by modeling constructive use of their time in practicing and performing, as well as maintaining their individual academic standing. We salute Brandon, Josh, Clara, Anna, Dave and Andy for modeling positive peer influence and for their service to others.

Carrie Schierschmidt of Munising deserves to be recognized for her exemplary effort and commitment to youth during her volunteer work as assistant coach with the Munising eighth grade boys' basketball team. Throughout the '98-'99 and '99-2000 seasons, Carrie demonstrated unselfish attention to the players, both on and off the court. She took seriously her responsibilities during games and practices and modeled commitment to excellence while placing high value on the development of youth. As an assistant coach, Carrie promoted assets in youth, such as responsibility, caring, and achievement motivation. Her personal work ethic modeled high expectation for the players to do well individually, and as a team. This kind of attention from adults like Carrie, encourages youth to practice the same characteristics they see in their mentors. Search Institute research shows the more assets youth have in their lives, the more likely they are to succeed in school and volunteer in their community. We salute Carrie's service to youth.

Norma Semashko lets nothing get in her way when she sees a youth with a need. In her job as a YES specialist, (Youth Empowerment Services) she helps court-referred youth develop positive assets. She matches them with college age mentors that she recruits to assist the youth. In addition, when Norma sees personal needs among the youth in her program, she goes far beyond the call of duty, personally doing whatever is necessary to assure their comfort and well being. If a child needs a haircut, Norma takes care of it immediately. A licensed cosmetologist, she carries scissors in her purse. She may notice a teen's broken shoe strap and immediately stop the car at a shoe repair shop. Norma's zeal in recruiting mentors has dramatically increased the number of volunteers to assist youth in the YES program. We salute Norma Semashko for her dedication in all she does to build assets in youth. Search Institute tells us that every youth needs at least one caring adult in their lives.

Tami Seavoy is a volunteer who serves our community in countless ways. For the Marquette Community Foundation, she serves as an advisor to the Youth Advisory Committee, which is a group of middle-school and high-school aged youth who assess local youth needs, recommend grants to benefit local youth, perform community service, and raise money for charitable works. Tami has guided youth in difficult decision making processes and taught them values of generosity, responsibility, and being careful stewards of donated funds. Tami is an active volunteer at Father Marquette Schools, where she has enhanced the library operation in various ways. She also serves as a volunteer community mentor for the NMU Student Leader Fellowship Program. Tami's service to youth helps them to develop assets, which are the strengths, or building blocks that kids need to grow up healthy, competent and caring. Search Institute tells us that youth with more assets experience more success in life and participate less in risky behavior. We thank Tami Seavoy for Putting the You into Youth!

Congratulations to Kittie Mahoney, this month's recipient of the PYIY Recognition Award. Kittie is a positive adult role model for youth in the Munising area. She supports young people by committing her time to them in several ways. Kittie helped organize the first youth center in the community several years ago. She coached girls' basketball for ten years. The impact of her coaching style becomes evident when, occasionally, her former players still come to her to talk and seek her advice. Kittie takes the time to listen to them as well as to her own nieces and nephews and the children of friends.

Her involvement models friendship skills to youth, showing them they are important to her and to the community. Search Institute has identified 40 assets that are necessary building blocks of healthy youth development. As Kittie Mahoney nurtures young people, she is building assets in youth that will help them grow up to be caring and responsible adults. Let her mentoring style be a challenge to other adults in the community to find ways to promote positive youth development.

Harry Lindquist of Munising is exemplary in his role as Scout Master of Troop 332 as he puts his heart and soul into the Boy Scout mission. He motivates his Scouts, teaching social competence that guides youth through the ranks of Scouting as well as preparing them for the rest of their lives.

Harry has helped 20 young men achieve the rank of Eagle Scout during his 15 years of service. Harry and the other leaders in his troop commit their own personal time to Scouts for activities such as hiking excursions and fishing camps. Harry also accompanies Scouts to civic meetings required for their rank advancement.

Through Harry's leadership, Scouts in Alger County build assets important to their growth and healthy development.

We commend Harry Lindquist for being such an outstanding builder of assets in youth.

Throughout the years, Norma Libey of Gwinn has seen the need to provide healthy, safe activities for young people in a religious setting. Her husband, Ron, states, "Norma is a tireless advocate of children. She touches the lives of over 200 children each year through various children's functions".

Her first organized summer activity was "Snow Cone Story Time" which includes a Bible story, games, and free sno cones. Libey encourages the children to think of others by providing a valentine-making party for the residents of the Richmond Township Senior Citizen's Home. In the fall, she offers a Halloween party at church with a Noah's Ark theme, saving toys throughout the year to use as prizes. To serve teens, she was instrumental in organizing the teen drop-in center at the First Baptist Church in Gwinn.

Libey promotes support to young people as a non-parent adult, encourages service to others, and is a positive adult role model. The Great Lakes Center for Youth Development thanks Norma Libey for her efforts to promote positive youth development in the Gwinn area!