 | Graciela Botello, CCE Outreach The Above & Beyond Award Gracie in the Center for Civic Engagement & Education Outreach office at USU has been busy putting the pieces in place for her new My Young Mother scholarship, a program that would provide tuition assistance and baby care supplies to a mother who is a senior in high school needing help getting started in college. Gracie coordinated a fundraising gala titled Smile on Your Sister that featured local food, live music, an art auction, and children’s activities for attendees. She has also worked with the Cache Valley Unitarian Universalists and Bridgerland Applied Technology College to secure monetary donations or the scholarship fund that will be used for tuition and to offset childcare costs. As part of our MLK Day service project in January, Gracie helped to spread the word about the food and baby care supply drive to schools throughout the Cache County and Logan districts. As a result, over 3,000 baby care items were donated, all of which will be given the recipient of the My Young Mother scholarship. Applications for the scholarship have been distributed to local high schools and a beneficiary will be chosen for next academic year. This has been a huge undertaking for Gracie, but the end result is awesome! |
| Dawna Webb, Mountain Crest High School The Perseverance Award Dawna's positive attitude, realism, and optimism is something we can all learn from when we are faced with adversity. Dawna is exceptionally good at recognizing when aspects of a program can be improved or a problem needs a more efficient solution, and is not hesitant to see these through until their completion. When presented with a challenge she always takes the time to sit down, consider the positives and negatives for each option, and decide on the best course of action. Dawna thinks very practically, but is also enthusiastic and proactive when it comes to problem solving and motivating people around her to consider alternate solutions. Keep up the great work Dawna! |  |
 | Melissa Yardley, Cedar Ridge Middle School The Good Role Model Award Melissa is a great asset at Cedar Ridge. She has helped implement many programs and has done a great job running the school’s New Student Group, a support program that helps students new to Cedar Ridge cope with the stress and anxiety that can take place when transitioning into a new school environment. She also planned the school’s Mental Health Week and encouraged students to participate in the Stand for Courage student club by standing up, stepping in, and speaking out against bullying. She takes on many different responsibilities and is always willing to support students, making her an excellent role model for them. Thanks for setting such a great example Melissa! |
| Jasmine Despain, Bridger Elementary School Outstanding Outcomes Award For January reporting Jasmine recorded over $1,800 in in-kind donations! These donations came mostly from Cache Valley grocery stores and benefited several programs at Bridger. One of these programs is the Food Backpack program, which sends food home with students who may be struggling with hunger. Another program that benefited from the donations Jasmine collected was the Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) Literacy Night, a social event where fathers of students can come to read to their children and sign up to volunteer in the school. Jasmine also recruited 8 new volunteers in January who have served a total of over 40 hours so far. Additionally she implemented 3 student services at Bridger last month! Great work, Jasmine! |  |
