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Show n::;top May 6," 1999 15 Youth of the Year Kenya Williams makes positive impression on others care center, said Kenya has already volunteered 40 hours this year working on various activities with the children at her center. "Kenya is not just a sister to me; she is my best friend," said Kenya's older sister Khadyjah. "Like most sisters we occasionally have a misunderstanding, but they never last long because Kenya always does something to make me feel better and forget. She is always making me laugh when I feel down or things are not going well for me. She is very caring and fun to be with. She keeps me laughing all the time." by Mary Galbraith Hilltop Times staff Hill AFB's Youth of the Year has made a positive impression at home, school, church and in her community. Kenya Williams was the unanimous selection of staff at the Hill Youth Activities Cen- ter. Teachers, siblings, her parents and other children at the center all agree she's well deserving of this year's award. Kenya's volunteer work, compassion toward other youth and academic achievementhas gained the attention of peers. North Davis Junior High The student maintains a 4.0 grade average while Recently Crystal Williams, Kenya's step-mowent through a family crisis when her mother was very ill. She said even though it may have upset Kenya, she was a strong person helping out around the ld " volunteering several hours each week at the Youth Activities Center, school, church and local daycare centers. Kenya is a center standout. She's often the first person to approach center newcomers and make them feel welcome. And - 1.11,1 house and was there for her every step ,rnri Veronica Cantu, Youth Activity Center coor- ;IU n Photo bv Marv Galbraith roller out skating; activity. Her vol- during the weekly i helping Kenya Williams looks forward to . . . . .mr or s ner one tne cenier mosi Tammar Taces. unteer work and willingness to help makes dinator, depends on her help with ongoing activities and holiday carnivals and special events that draw over 250 young participants. "Kenya is like my right hand. She works really hard solving problems and helping set up for classes," Cantu said. She added Kenya is organized, has exceptional leadership skills, is goal oriented and does a great job at working on the computer. At school Kenya volunteers as an office and library aide helping other students, parents and visitors. Her world geography teacher, Mindy Williams, said she's a well liked student concerned with her grades and willing to help peers when they're having difficulties. Kenya's English teacher, Kenva loves school but said if she had to pick a favorite subject, she'd choose social studies. She's been to nearly all 50 states, as well as several European countries, and likes social studies because it's another opportunity to learn new things about places she's already been or would like to go. After graduation, Kenya plans to go on to college and major in business. Eventually she'd like to open her own business and her youth center responsibilities are preparing her for a career in that field. Kenya's president of the trails organization at the youth center and is responsible for balancing the money to ensure there are enough funds for trips. She's also devel- - Jodi Hutchinson, said her attitude and work ethic is enthusiastic and contagious among students. other business skills like learning to organize and lead meetings and reach a group compromise during decision makODinsf ing. In the nomination packet her father, MSgt Curtis I. Williams, wrote, "Kenya is a very special young lady. She's bright and very energetic.Within our family she's shown maturity by taking charge of cleaning the house and ensuring that her other siblings are assigned tasks to help...Kenya is often called upon by numerous neighbors to baby-si- t because of her patience, maturity and supervision skills. She has a reputation within the neighborhood of being a 'big sister' to many of the kids." Kimberly Jacobs, who runs a local day of the way. Williams appreciated the extra responsibility Kenya took on. "She's very helpful and seeks advice from home about things she should do about her education and any major decisions," said Williams. "We're really happy for her. We didn't even know she was trying to get the award. She just came home one day with the paperwork to sign and next thing we knew someone was congratulating us on her winning. It couldn't have happened to a better person." Kenya said after reading through com- ments her parents, sister, teachers and staff members at the Youth Activities Center wrote about her in the application packages she was really proud and hadn't realized how much she helped others. Its inspired her to do even more. Kenya will now move on to a regional competition. There, young people from several regions will be selected to attend a teen forum in Washington D.C. Center names Cs'on quist 'ftlost Valuable Player by Mary Galbraith Hilltop Times staff if I' ' " " z$ The Youth Activities Center's "Most Valuable Player" he stands out as a supenot only excels in sports V ' , - tJs T yl ' t - . - . ' X 1 s ! 4''' r Photo by Mary Galbraith basketbal. 0 Car.os Cronquist takes a break from his orgamze cen-the Youth Activities Center. Carlos enjoys help.ng ter sports activities. rior student, volunteer, peacemaker and problem solver among peers. Carlos Cronquist was selected as the Hill AFB MVP in a competition sponsored by the National Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Friday, one of the youth nominated from the 950 clubs across the United States will have their name drawn. Carlos may have the opportuat a nity to meet baseball star Ken Griffey Jn in Seattle Mariners game where the selected MVP will be his special guest. The competition recognizes the milestone Boys and Girls Clubs of America achieved last year by serving over 3 million youth in one year. "It was an honor to be the award recipient because Veronica Youth Activity Center coordinator has been such a help to me. I didn't know how I could pay her back so I helped around here with sports and everything," said Carlos, whose proud committee members noticed his hard work. Hard work at school has already set him apart from classmates. He maintains a 3.9 grade point average and is running for student body president at North Davis Junior High. And he's been on the honor roll throughout junior high. Carlos would eventually like to earn a master's degree. "My goals in life are to go on to college and after that apply at computer companies." He said, it's important for kids to be involved in a lot of different activities instead of concentrating on one or two things. "If you have just have one area of interest you don't get around enough. If you have a variety you meet new people and see people from all across the world and make new friendships." Cantu said Carlos is a peacemaker during conflicts ' and can see both sides of a situation when peers are in attitude contributes to disagreement. His base activities with the youth. Carlos was selected by center staff because he was identified as someone who participated in a wide variety of activities on a regular basis, makes good grades in school and is active in the club's community service projects. In addition to standing out academically, he plays on a Junior Jazz basketball team and one of the center's baseball teams. Carlos' parents said he's always been a helpful boy willing to lend a hand wherever he could. 'Teachers at PTA meetings have commented on how he continuously involves himself in helping them as well as fellow classmates in anything they do," said Carlos' stepfather, MSgt. David Cassidy, who's also proud of his academic achievements. "Carlos has an uncanny ability to remember and recall amazing measuresstu-of information and knowledge. He has been an honor dent... for the past two years. Carlos is a very intellectual and incredibly compassionate person. He continues to strive for excellence in everything he does. But the most remarkable part is he's not too serious to realize he's human... He's a smart boy, and just loves knowledge and being involved." Patricia Cassidy, Carlos' mother, said his open attitude, willingness to try new things and success in a variety areas will be beneficial to him as an adult. "He'll get further in life with an open mind if he can see different roads to go on. He loves to help others and he's very competitive." There are several things she admires when it comes to Carlos but a few personality traits stand out like his persistence. "If there's a way that something can happen he will find it he's really determined that way. Carlos is also a big hearted sensitive kid. He's really outgoing and has got high standards for himself. If he could, he'd already go to college." fun-lovin- g |