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Home > Archive > Mar 6, 2008

By Cami Cox
Staff Writer
Two St. George youth were honored on Feb. 4 for their outstanding service in the local community.
Jessica Mitchell and Ryan Tommer, students at Snow Canyon High School, were given the Prudential Spirit of Community Award – sponsored nationally by Prudential Financial and the National Association of Secondary School Principals – before members of the Washington County Commission.
Each student received a plaque and the opportunity to compete for state-level honors. Both are members of the Washington County Youth Court and were nominated for the award through their school.
Clint Cottam, Youth Court coordinator for the Volunteer Center of Washington County, said Jessica and Ryan are both outstanding volunteers within the Youth Court program.
“These are two incredible youth,” he said. “Both of them have really excelled.”
Youth Court allows teens to deliberate in court cases involving first-time juvenile offenders, and participation can potentially expunge the offending youths' records if they successfully complete the program. In addition to determining what restitution offenders must make, panel members like Jessica and Ryan also mentor teens that come before them, in an effort to prevent recidivism and help the kids chart better courses in their lives.
“This is their one (single) second chance, and we're doing all we can to make sure they make the most of it,” Ryan said.
Ryan, 18, is the senior judge on the youth court, and he's been involved in the program for the past four years.
“He has committed over 250 volunteer hours to youth court,” Cottam said. “When you really break it down, we usually only meet a couple hours a week, and so he's really scheduled time for this around all the other things he does.”
Panel member Jessica joined the youth court last summer, and though she hasn't participated as long as Ryan, it has already been a rewarding experience for her, she said.
“Jessica has invested tons of time and tons of hours into our program,” Cottam said. “Quite honestly, I think it's a miracle how she finds the time to do it.”
In addition to serving on the youth court, Jessica, 17, is an honor student and is very involved in service. She has a 4.0 GPA at Snow Canyon High and is secretary of the junior class; she is co-captain of the school drill team, a member of Key Club (a service-based club), part of the National Honor Society, a member of the track team, head photographer for the yearbook staff and active in the Scrolls book club. She is also very involved in church service.
“She is probably one of the most active people I've ever met,” Cottam said. “She's been involved with so many community organizations that are involved with service.”
Jessica received the Spirit of Community Award for her efforts in assembling humanitarian kits last summer for the LDS Church's humanitarian program.
Going door-to-door in her neighborhood to enlist help for her project, Jessica collected such things as towels, toothbrushes, combs, soap and toothpaste over the course of the summer. She also bought items herself to finish up her project at the end. She completed 50 of the hygiene kits, which are sent to people in need throughout the world, and said she's thinking about repeating her project again this summer.
“I've learned that I can make a difference just by doing something small,” Jessica said. “I know I can't help the whole nation, but just by doing something small I can help other people.”
Ryan received his Spirit of Community Award for his efforts as a member of the youth court.
He has a 3.9 GPA at Snow Canyon and is president of the debate team. He also plays the trumpet in each of the school bands, is the Sterling Scholar runner-up in speech and debate and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Though, like Jessica, he is very busy with academics and extracurricular activities, Ryan still devotes many hours to the youth court, helping his peers mend their fences and make better decisions.
“It's just pretty cool to see what you can do if you give a kid an opportunity to do something to improve his situation,” Ryan said.
“(Youth court) can actually be a really fun and rewarding part of your life that not only benefits you but also is a major benefit to your community,” he said. “I would urge anyone who wanted to to get involved.”
Both Jessica and Ryan are invaluable volunteers, Cottam said, and both were very deserving of the awards they received.
For more information about the Washington County Youth Court, contact Clint Cottam at 674-5757, Ext. 103, or visit www.volunteercenterwc.org/youthcourt/wcyc-home.htm.
For information about the Prudential Spirit of Community Award, visit www.prudential.com/spirit.

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