During Greeley’s City Council meeting Tuesday, Mayor John Gates presented a proclamation dedicating Tuesday, April 20, as National Youth Service Day.
In 1990, a union between the Jefferson Awards, the Points of Light Foundation, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and Youth Service America created “National Youth Service Day.” National Youth Service Day Awards (NYSDA) are designed to broaden national, regional, and local recognition of the power of youth service. This day reinforces to young Americans the importance of helping others. The City of Greeley solicits NYSDA nominations on an annual basis each March from teachers, school counselors, and the public for outstanding community service performed in Greeley.
Among this year’s NYSDA nominations were two individuals and one group that were recognized at the City Council meeting by Greeley Youth Commission member Madison Zeller. The 2021 recipients of the NYSD Awards in Greeley included: Griffin Boyd and Briana Huerta; and the Boys & Girls Club – Keystone Club (which is comprised of several area high school students). These individuals were invited to attend a virtual presentation at Tuesday’s city council meeting.
Griffin Boyd, a Severance High School student, was nominated by a community member. He is a regular volunteer at the monthly F.I.S.H. (Families Investigating Science at Home) events at the Poudre Learning Center. He has guided family walking tours, led astronomy groups and hayride tours, taught residents about snakes and reptiles, acted fishing instructor, and assisted certified teachers at the archery range.
Briana Huerta, a Greeley Central High School student, was nominated by a community member. She is an avid volunteer, having logged over 100 hours a semester with a variety of organizations. She has given of her time to helping her community with UC Health, Bella Romero, Jackson Elementary, and Greeley Central High School. All while being a full-time high school student, taking classes at Aims Community College, and maintaining over a 4.0 GPA.
Boys & Girls Club – Keystone Club is a combined group of high school students from Union Colony Preparatory School, Greeley Central, Greeley West, and Northridge. The keystone members are associated with the Boys & Girls Club of Weld County and were nominated by a community member as well. Tasked with completing at least 600 hours of community service, these area youth wanted to make a difference in their community in order to give others a chance to thrive. They have volunteered at Grace Pointe Senior Living, and the Humane Society, cleaned up local parks, hosted Teen Nights for area youth, assisted at the Greeley Stampede, and fundraised to attend national college trips and mentorship programs for younger children.
Greeley Recreation staff and the Greeley Youth Commission members would like to congratulate all the winners of this year’s National Youth Service Day Awards for a job well done! For more information, contact Brecken Arnold, Recreation Supervisor, at 970-350-9771 or visit GreeleyRec.com and click on Rodarte Community Center.
Watch the full presentation during the April 20, 2021 City Council Meeting.
Release Date:
April 26, 2021