Two Pittsfield Teens Honored For Dedication To Youth Alive
Program Director Shirley Edgerton said Tyler Scott has overcome challenges in the last few years and has become a mentor in the Youth Alive Drum Corp.
Many of the city's youth come from troubled circumstances, either at home or elsewhere. They can fight through that and persevere, but often, they feel like nobody cares. There are no headlines touting of their success like star athletes or those reeling in scholastic awards. There is no recognition or congratulations.
But they are important and the Pittsfield Prevention Partnerships wants them to know that. At Third Thursday, the organization presented two such youth with Say It Proud Awards, highlighting the accomplishments they have made through the Youth Alive drum corp.
Sixteen-year-old Elton Wilkins and 17-year-old Tyler Scott were given the awards Thursday honoring their efforts with the drum corp. They were nominated for the awards by Youth Alive.
Scott has been involved with the program for a number of years and was nominated because of the growth and dedication he has shown to the program.
"We are extremely proud of the fact that whatever challenges he has, that he has stuck. He did an incredible job this year with the parade. He was teaching some of the other kids. He's been a role model," Youth Alive Program Director Shirley Edgerton said. "We want him to know we appreciate him and we are proud of him."
Wilkins is known for his efforts on the basketball court. But what people don't know is a number of challenging experiences he has had to face. Despite all of the distractions, he remained focused on Youth Alive, basketball and his grades.
"I respect how focused he is and in spite of whatever situations - and he's had some challenging situations this year - that he sticks to his goals. He's done well in school. I can tell you, you can expect great things from him,” Edgerton said.
To applause, the two were given framed certificates to recognize their work, and they turned to take many photos with family, friends and Edgerton.
There are many of the city's youth like Wilkins and Scott flying under the radar and not being recognized, Egerton said.
"Often we don't hear about all of the great things young people are doing," she said.
The Say It Proud Awards are given monthly. Each month an organization such as Youth Alive or Reid Middle School nominates students who have shown the same dedication and hard work - youth that have gone above and beyond. Broach says the awards are focused to help build the environment and raise conscience that the community is supportive.
It spawned after years of doing surveys of high school students about attitudes, values and risk factors. The message became clear that those facing the toughest challenges felt disconnected from the rest of the community.
"We found that they don't believe the community supports them in a meaningful way and that the community doesn't reward youth for the good things they do. They feel that if they do anything good, it is not going to be noticed by anyone. It was born out of that concept of making sure the youth knows we do care," Broast said.
"We generally do not give the award to youth who are the sports stars, the basketball players, the youth who are highly involved in politics or the debate club. We give it to youth who are down in the trenches, going through really bad stuff at home, and getting through it."
Broast says he wished he had even more certificates to give to show the youth that the community truly does care and show the community what these students can do.
The awards are just one of the many programs the Pittsfield Prevention Partnership takes on. The group is run through the Berkshire United Way and aims to foster a more positive environment for the youth and helping to combat youth substance abuse.
Tags: youth, youth alive, youth award,
