The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) recognized six outstanding young people last week (three middle school and three high school students), as the Board presented its Youth Excellence and Achievement Awards (YEA! Awards) during its regular meeting. Nominations are reviewed by the Hillsborough County Commission on the Status of Women (COSW). The awards recognize students who display initiative, innovation and commitment to themselves and others, while making a difference in their community.
Durant High School senior Hunter Anderson was awarded a YEA! Award for outstanding leadership skills.
“It means so much for me to be selected for the YEA! award because I enjoy encouraging others to be involved in community programs that helps others,” said Anderson. “Bringing people together for a common goal is key to making a difference.”
Anderson’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) teacher, Rebecca Sherman, nominated Hunter after learning about the awards program. “As soon as I looked at the qualifications for the award, Hunter came to mind because of how dedicated he is to FBLA, his school and his peers,” she said. “He leads with a kind heart and supportive attitude, making sure everyone is included and is the kind of leader most of us as adults would like to work with, always encouraging and offering a helping hand whenever needed.”
Anderson, who is this year’s club president, credits Sherman for giving him the confidence to join FBLA as a freshman. “Mrs. Sherman highly encouraged me to join this club when I was hesitant,” he said. “She also made me feel comfortable to take a board position when I wasn’t sure and now I’m the president of the club. Not sure I would be where I am today without her.”
That encouragement gave him the confidence to hone his communication, public speaking, teamwork and problem-solving skills. When the club needed funding for transportation to the state competition in Orlando, he attended a meeting of the Valrico/FishHawk Chamber of Commerce, where his mom is a member, to plead his case and ask for donations from local business owners. Unintimidated by the crowd of people, he eloquently made his request and by the end of the meeting received donations totaling several thousand dollars. Anderson is already working on getting sponsors to offset the cost of the FBLA chapter’s annual t-shirts.
Sherman couldn’t be more proud of her student. “His talents as a people person are a force to behold as he skillfully gained sponsorships so students could visit numerous events they would not have been able to attend due to financial constraints,” she said.
Other YEA! award winners and categories include:
Despite Difficult Odds
Gavin Shreeve, Randall Middle School
Caitlin Conrad, George M. Steinbrenner High School
Leadership
Nathaniel Freeman, Williams Middle IB School
Hunter Anderson, Durant High School
Volunteer or Community Service
Gabrielle Lee, Farnell Middle School
Jayen Patel, Hillsborough High School
For more information about the YEA! awards visit hillsboroughcounty.org.