Friday, March 29, 2024

The City of Southlake is accepting nominations for the 2015 Youth of the Year Award

The City of Southlake's 2014 Youth of the Year Award recipients (on the right).

The City of Southlake’s 2014 Youth of the Year Award recipients (on the right).

Annually,  City of Southlake’s Community Services Department and the Southlake Youth Action Commission (SYAC) partner with the Chamber of Commerce to recognize outstanding teens who have made a difference in our community, honoring them with the Youth of the Year Award.  Members of SYAC (enrolled in grades 7-12 at C.I.S.D.) volunteer throughout the city with various programs like Adopt a Street, Christmas Providers and other special projects and events to give teens an opportunity to give back. The Community Services Department traditionally receives exceptional nominations for young residents of Southlake – If you know a teen (ages 12-18) who deserves recognition for their outstanding role in the community, please nominate them by visiting www.CityofSouthlake.com/SYAC.   The deadline is Friday, May 15 by 5:00 PM.

Last year’s Youth of the Year Award recipients were two extraordinary young ladies who decided to make a difference not just in their community but in the world.  Julia and Maria Myers founded and lead a nonprofit charity, Pretty Purposeful, which raises money to fund surgeries for women and girls suffering from childbirth injuries in Africa. They founded the charity after watching a documentary about the issue, and since, have they have raised over $26,000 – enough to pay for 27 surgeries.

Within the Southlake community, Julia and Maria organized and co- led Camp Pretty Purposeful at the Timarron Country Club – a unique one-day event for 80 girls ages 12-18. The primary focus of the camp was to empower girls to redefine girl culture and to teach them to think differently about themselves and others.  Various topics included, self-esteem, body image, relationships, how to start a charity, write a book and make a difference!

These two young ladies have inspired the community with their hard work, determination and dedication to a cause – we are looking forward to hearing how other youth residents of Southlake have made an impact on the community this year. If you have additional questions please do not hesitate to contact the Community Services department at 817-748-8019 or contact Ashley Newhart at anewhart@ci.southlake.tx.us.

 

An image of a family bowling and dining

Photo of a solar eclipse