Steamboat Youth Receives Award

Max May, age 15, received the “Corpsmember of the Year” award from Steamboat Springs Community Youth Corps (CYC) and the Colorado Youth Corps Association (CYCA) at the annual Youth Corps Awards Ceremony on Monday, January 25, 2010 at the State Capitol.

May, from Steamboat Springs, was recognized for his strong work ethic, positive attitude and dedication to teamwork, qualities he exemplified while serving at CYC last summer. “Max is a remarkable young man,” said CYC’s Director Brooke Lightner. “He truly shined during his employment with CYC.”

Max seems to exercise these qualities not only while wielding a pick axe or shovel with CYC, but in every endeavor he undertakes. Whether he’s wrestling for Steamboat Springs Middle School or raising animals in 4-H, Max always gives it his best effort.

Max’s hard work and dedication clearly has paid off in the past; He has gone undefeated in his wrestling season and in 2008, Max’s first season with 4-H, won Grand Champion in both Swine Showmanship and Art (Teen Division).

With a dedicated attitude and a touch of humor, Max’s success only continued during his session with CYC. “He is friendly and has a contagious work ethic. He never complained and always has a good attitude. Max also brings a lot of humor to the crew and has strong leadership qualities. He is fun to be around and is a huge asset to the crew,” said Max’s crew leader.

Max served on a CYC Crew for two weeks in June 2009 and spent most of his time building and
maintaining trails on Howelsen Hill. “I made my greatest contribution to the CYC program by digging trails and cutting branches on Howelsen to improve trails and help our community” said Max.

The Youth Corps Awards Ceremony also honored State Senator Mike Kopp (District 22) and State
Representative Christine Scanlan (District 56) as Legislators of the Year. Lieutenant Governor Barbara O’Brien received the Champion for Youth Award and Colorado State Parks was recognized as Partner of the Year.

The Community Youth Corps offers youth an opportunity to earn while they learn by contributing to community improvement projects. CYC is a unique employment opportunity for Routt County teens ages, 14 – 16 years. Teens work on community improvement and conservation related projects.
The first week of every session is spent working in city parks and open space. The second week is spent working for a private project sponsor, such as BLM, USFS, State Parks and the Nature Conservancy and camping at/or near the project work site. Sessions dates are June – August. Applications for the program will be available in February and can be downloaded from the website www.steamboatsprings.net/rec, click on the Teen Programs link. For more information please contact Brooke Lightner at 970-879-4300 ext. 355 or blightner@steamboatsprings.net

The Colorado Youth Corps Association is a statewide coalition of 10 accredited youth conservation corps that employs and train youth and young adults on land, water and energy conservation projects. Youth corps is a proven strategy for engaging young people in service to their communities and stewardship of their environment while cultivating valuable skills to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

For more information about CYCA, the statewide youth corps coalition, or the Youth Corps Awards Ceremony, contact Jennifer Freeman (303-863-0602 or jfreeman@cyca.org) or visit www.CYCA.org.