Poughkeepsie…Dutchess County Executive William R. Steinhaus celebrated commitment of local youth volunteers and teachers as well as the accomplishments of nearly sixty young people at the Dutchess County Youth Board Annual Luncheon today at Dutchess Community College. 

County Executive Steinhaus told award recipients, “Each of you have a special story and this is just one award, one celebration in your life’s story.   We are so pleased to share this day with you as you go forward to pursue your hopes and dreams.”               
Each year, the Youth Board honors Dutchess County youth who have overcome significant challenges in their lives, improved their academic performance or volunteered for community service.   The young people honored often lack effective support systems, face physical or emotional health issues or perhaps exhibited delinquent behavior at some time in the past.

The County Executive’s YEA! Awards were designed to celebrate these young people’s ability to learn, renew and recreate themselves in the face of change, challenge or adverse conditions in order to move forward with their lives.   Without these awards, the improved performance of many of these young people may be otherwise overlooked.

County Executive Steinhaus presented 60 young people with the County Executive’s Youth Excellence Awards (YEA).    Each student has been nominated by local schools or agencies in one of the following categories:  Most Significant Improvement in Overall Performance, Success Despite Difficult Odds and Volunteer or Community Service.   A complete list of the award recipients is enclosed.

Four students were awarded YEA Scholarships and received a total of $8,000 in scholarships to Dutchess Community College provided in part by the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Benevolent Association, TD Banknorth and M & T Bank.   The four scholarship recipients were:

Student	Nominated by	Scholarship Award
Ne’Quan Hamilton	Cornell Cooperative Extension	$3000
Amani Watkins	F.D. Roosevelt High School	$3000
Ashley Travers	Beacon High School	$1000
Quineisha Norwood	D.C. BOCES	$1000

The Dutchess County Youth Board also recognizes several adults who have supported the efforts of these young people by providing caring support and encouragement.  Five youth workers were honored in the following categories:

Professional Teacher Award
Alison Scanlon, Pawling High School

Dorothy O. Lasday Adult Volunteer Award
Barbara Shapley , Dutchess Community College Community Services Office

Professional Youth Worker Awards
Frank Gough, Dutchess County BOCES Alternative High School
Norman Moore – Family Services Inc.
Dawn Wilkins, CAPE of Dutchess County

“We wish all of you the very best on your journey as you travel through life in the coming years.  We are so proud of each of you,” concluded County Executive Steinhaus.