Board seeks applicants for the York County Historical Committee
May 19, 2011
FOR RELEASE AT WILL
The York County Board of Supervisors is currently seeking applications from county citizens interested in serving on the York County Historical Committee.
The Historical Committee is an advisory body to the York County Board of Supervisors on matters of a historical nature dealing with the county and the Town of York. The Committee meets the third Thursday of each month.
York County citizens interested in applying for appointment to the York County Historical Committee may obtain an application at the County Administrator's Office at 224 Ballard Street in Yorktown, or by calling 890-3320. Applications may also be obtained and filed by visiting www.yorkcounty.gov, clicking on On-Line Services, and clicking on Board Bank Application.
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Rand Irons wins Outstanding Youth Award for Overall Achievement
May 19, 2011
FOR RELEASE AT WILL
Recently, Grafton High School senior Rand Irons received the 2011 Outstanding Youth Award for Overall Achievement from Board of Supervisors Chairman George Hrichak.
Rand epitomizes excellence and outstanding achievement with his numerous accomplishments and superior performance in a wide variety of pursuits. Academically, he is ranked third in his class with a 4.56 grade point average in a demanding curriculum; he has been recognized by the College Board as an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction; he has earned membership into the National and Spanish Honor Societies; he has placed in the top one percent of high school students in a national competition conducted by the President's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy; and he has placed first at the regional and state Future Business Leaders of America competitions for three consecutive years.
In terms of leadership and service, Rand has been appointed as a student representative to the York County Career and Technical Education Council; served as president of Grafton's National Honor Society this year; and led his peers in a variety of capacities though Grafton's very active FBLA Chapter and the regional FBLA organization. Rand is also a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster in his Boy Scout Troop where earlier this year he became an Eagle Scout.
In his spare time, Rand participates on Grafton's policy debate team, advancing to the semifinals this year; he held down a part-time job during his sophomore and junior years; and he stays very active with his church, attending a 6 a.m. seminary class every day before school for the past four years and serving as a youth assistant and ordained lay priest.
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Shannon Kuster wins Outstanding Youth Award for Community Service
May 19, 2011
FOR RELEASE AT WILL
Recently, York High School senior Shannon Kuster received the 2011 Outstanding Youth Award for Community Service from Board of Supervisors Chairman George Hrichak.
Throughout her high school career, Shannon has consistently demonstrated a genuine desire and commitment to serve others, as evidenced by her more than 500 hours of community service over the years. Since ninth grade, Shannon has worked as a 4H Peer Teacher Volunteer at the Yorktown Victory Center. She volunteers there eight hours a month during school and 16 hours a month during the summer as an 18th-century costumed interpreter in the center's military encampment.
Shannon also spent time last summer volunteering as an intern at the Peninsula Fine Arts Center, creating four hands-on projects for children to complement the center's featured exhibit.
With the encouragement of her AP Art teacher, Shannon founded a National Art Honor Society at York High through which members initiated an "Instrument of Art" project this year by painting old musical instruments to raise money for charity.
Shannon is a Red Cross certified lifeguard and swim instructor, and serves as a Skills Tester at an annual Special Olympics swim meet, where she helps and encourages the athletes to compete in modified swimming events. She also has spent time during her last three summers volunteering with the York County Library's summer reading programs for children.
In addition to all her volunteer work, Shannon holds a 4.41 grade point average in the rigorous International Baccalaureate Programme at York High, serves on the Student Council Advisory Board and swims competitively year-round on the Coast Guard Blue Dolphins and York High varsity swim teams.
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Brooke Frix wins Outstanding Youth Award for Courage
May 19, 2011
FOR RELEASE AT WILL
Recently, Tabb High School freshman Brooke Frix received the 2011 Outstanding Youth Award for Courage from Board of Supervisors Chairman George Hrichak.
At the beginning of the school year last year, Brooke was a regular student, excited to start 9th grade and looking forward to being a Junior Varsity cheerleader. But in early October, that all changed when she was suddenly struck with severe headaches. After 10 days of excruciating pain, Brooke was taken to the hospital where doctors discovered a large mass in her skull and immediately transferred her to the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters in Norfolk. There, specialists confirmed that Brooke had developed a large but thankfully benign brain tumor, which doctors completely removed three days later. After spending several more days in the hospital, Brooke returned home to recuperate, eventually returning to school part-time until December, when she was finally able to stay for a full day of classes.
Despite being away so long, Brooke immediately set out to catch up in all her subjects, which she succeeded in doing by the end of December. Weeks later, Brooke and her family received the shocking news that the tumor had come back and had already grown to its original size, an unheard of scenario for a case of her type. Surgery was scheduled for two weeks from her diagnosis date. During that time, as Brooke and her parents gratefully point out, many people - including their beloved church family where Brooke's father serves as the pastor - lifted up prayers on her behalf. Just before her second scheduled surgery, an MRI of Brooke's brain showed that the tumor was shrinking. The risky surgery was postponed in lieu of continued monitoring of her condition.
Throughout this emotional roller coaster, Brooke kept a positive attitude, serving as an inspiration to those around her. She maintained A's and B's in her coursework throughout the year, despite continued, intense, constant headaches that would prove debilitating to most people.
"Brooke has not succumbed to self-pity, depression or despair but instead has continued to brighten her corner of the world with sunshine, a resilience grounded in faith and a positive attitude that is rare and contagious," said her English teacher and nominator Mary Dawson.
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Elizabeth Roberts wins Outstanding Youth Award for Compassion
May 19, 2011
FOR RELEASE AT WILL
Recently, York High School senior Elizabeth Roberts received the 2011 Outstanding Youth Award for Compassion from Board of Supervisors Chairman George Hrichak.
Though an active member in the National, Spanish and Math Honor Societies, president of the Key Club, editor of the yearbook, captain of the varsity field hockey team and student council historian, Liz is never too busy to help others. At York High's Special Needs Carnival last year, Liz recruited many student volunteers to help assist with games and activities.
She is very active with the Special Olympics, committing not just her time but her heart by getting to know these athletes on a personal level and genuinely bonding with them. In fact, they have so touched her heart that she has now become regular lunch buddies with one of them at school, even inviting this individual to attend a school basketball game together with some of her other friends. This was such a rewarding experience for everyone involved that Liz asked the school's Special Education staff to contact the parents of other special needs students to see if even more could participate in a similar outing to a soccer game this spring.
Liz's compassion clearly motivates her fellow students, as evidenced by her role as Key Club President. In her time as president the club has jumped from 20 to 90 members this year and has spearheaded many meaningful service activities. The club has sponsored food drives and donation projects, participated in the Diabetes Walk and Special Olympics programs and initiated a mentorship program at Yorktown Middle School.
"Liz is one of the most compassionate, self-directed students that I have ever encountered," said her nominator and guidance counselor Felicia Highland. "She is always optimistic and every time I see her I am enamored by her warmth."
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