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Application Essays for 1998 Governor's School Program |
2.) Awards, Recognition, Community Service: This was a special year for me. The William Blount High School faculty nominated me for special recognition and awards. I was one of 15 youths from the four area high schools to be selected for the second class of a unique county-wide leadership program known as Youth Leadership Blount. This special program is the offspring of Leadership Blount (Chamber of Commerce and Blount County Executive Commission), the three public school systems and Maryville College. The aim is to prepare the next generation of community leaders to deal with the changing problems which they will encounter in our society. Topics include a team-building course; historical, community and cultural awareness trips; law enforcement challenges including a ride with a Maryville policeman during his watch; a trip to Nashville to visit the legislature; and a day with the Tennessee Air National Guard's 134th Air Refueling Group logistics officer. This honor was received on April 10, 1997 and is currently underway during this academic year. I was also selected to receive William Blount High School's "Who's Who" academic leadership award which also occurred on April 10, 1997. I am on the "A Honor Roll" this year. On May 17, 1997, at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Knoxville, I received the U.S. Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) Military Order of the World Wars "Honor Cadet Award" in the presence of the Honorable John J. Duncan, Jr. I also received the AFJROTC superior performance and academic ribbons. Additionally, as a member of the official U.S. Air Force civilian auxiliary, the Civil Air Patrol, I have participated on search teams for missing people and for downed aircraft. As a member of the McGhee-Tyson Civil Air Patrol unit, I received the Cadet of the Month award for January, 1996. As an active member of Maryville Evangelical Church, Presbyterian Church in America, I assist our Pastor, Rev. Russ Sukhia, in the children's program on Sunday nights. I also attend a Bible study for High School students on Saturday night; baby-sit during Wednesday night; work in the nursery during some Sunday services; visit the sick and elderly at Asbury Acres nursing home; and, as a part of Breakaway '97 youth retreat, made repairs on elderly people's homes during the spring school break. |