"Putting The You Into Youth" - Recognition Awards

| Current Winner| Past Winners |

Current/Recent Recipients of this award...

Sister Ludmilla Gramann - September, 2006

Sister Ludmilla Gramann of Marquette was recently presented the "Put the You into Youth" Award for the backpack program she coordinates through the Catholic Diocese of Marquette.

Sister Ludmilla works tirelessly to collect and sort school supplies. These items are sorted into backpacks that are given to low-income youth in the area. Children who may not have had these supplies are then able to attend their first day of school prepared, which can tough enough, even more difficult when a youth feels they stand out for any reason. Project Backpack helps them to fit in and bolsters the youth's confidence and sense of self-worth. It also encourages their commitment to learning and promotes school performance.

According Bishop Alex Sample, "Project Backpack has been a great blessing to the families and children who have been served."

"This isn't just for me," said Sister Ludmilla after receiving the Put the You into Youth Award. "This award belongs to everyone in the community who donates time and supplies to this program."

Shown with Sister Ludmilla are Bishop Alex Sample, and Teresa Dwyer-Armstrong, Great Lakes Center for Youth Development Youth Development Associate.

Waino Liuha - July, 2006

Waino Liuha has a passion for serving others, both young and old. Waino always has the most recent raffle ticket for sale promoting one of a myriad of non-profit organizations he serves as a trustee or volunteer.

Liuha has been a supporter of the Search Institute's Profiles of Student Life conducted in Marquette and Alger counties. He distributes copies of the results published by the Great Lakes Center for Youth Development to area organizations and challenges them to address the needs of local youth. Long a champion for youth literacy, he served as a founding member of the Young Authors program at Lakeview School in Negaunee, as well as contributing financial support. Using his pickup truck, he can be seen delivering books from the Public Enrichment Foundation to area schools and organizations for free distribution to young readers. He is the Public Enrichment Foundation's warmhearted "book-Santa."

Parishioners at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Negaunee know him as a man who works behind the scenes to help anyone in need. Residents at Eastwood Nursing Home know him as the Tuesday night Bingo man. Veterans know him as a compassionate service officer. "Penna," as he is known to those close to him, is truly a man who cares about the people in his community.

Kirsten (Nelson) Matthews - June, 2006

Kirsten Matthews of Munising was recently presented the "Put the You into Youth" Award for starting and serving as advisor for the Munising High Key Club.

In 2004, Matthews became the advisor to start the Key Club at the High School. In April, 2005 the Key Club became a charter organization with 42 youth. The following September, the Key Club expanded to 48 members. Kirsten meets with Key Club members to plan community service projects, activities for all students in the school. The members also attend leadership training to which Kirsten travels with the youth.

Rochelle Cotey, who nominated Kirsten, says "She has guided the Key Club members to be great volunteers and is helping them to grow as lifelong contributors to their community."

Paragraph 3: Quote from award recipient on winning the award and how they incorporate asset building and positive youth development into their lives.

Lynn Moon - September, 2005

Lynn Moon of Marquette was presented the "Put the You into Youth" Award in July during a Girl Scout camp in Alger County for her dedication as a Girl Scout volunteer and to serving as a positive role model for young women.

"Lynn is a dedicated and very involved volunteer. Her interest in promoting healthy, life-changing activities for girls is backed by her active participation in these programs," said Jean Barnes, CEO of GSPW. Barnes nominated Moon for the award. "She has been actively involved in Girls Scouts both as an operational volunteer working directly with youth, and as a governance professional who is helping make sure the organization continues to operate a strong program that helps girls grow strong. The programs she has developed for older girls are geared to promote lifelong skills. She brings enthusiasm, a love of nature and a sense of accomplishment to every program," Barnes said.

Moon has been a Girl Scout volunteer since 1993 when her daughter was a Girl Scout. As President of the board, she has overseen the creation of a strategic plan for the organization, assisted with a council performance assessment and is working with others to create a program center for local Girl Scout members

"Key to the tenets of Girl Scouting is the philosophy of serve to others," Moon said. "The bond between a girl and her leader is very special and offers the support of a caring adult, which is another critical asset to the development of youth. I strongly believe in the Girl Scout program and feel my participation is helping to build tomorrow's leaders," she added.

Many girls return to the Girl Scout resident camps Lynn helps organize each year just to experience another ‘Moon Unit' adventure.