CARY TEEN COUNCIL TAKES HOME TOP HONORS AND DOLLARS

CARY, NC – More than 100 Cary teens are celebrating their latest accomplishments all the way to the bank; the Cary Teen Council was recently recognized as the “Most Diverse Council” at the 2006 State Youth Council (SYC) Convention in Atlantic Beach, NC, and the Teen Council received $1,000 from the Soroptimist International of Women in Raleigh as a result of one member’s outstanding service efforts.

The SYC awarded Cary ’s Teen Council the “Most Diverse Award” and plaque for the diversity of the organization and group’s activities.  The Cary Youth Council is comprised of Asian, Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian, and Filipino members and has sponsored an array of events, including the Queens of India Beauty Pageant, Diwali, African-American celebration, and Santor Concert.   Cary is only the second youth council in the state to receive the award – the first being Goldsboro Youth Council. 

The Cary Teen Council has been actively involved in the SYC for eight years.  Comprised of teenagers ages 15-18 from 23 local youth councils across North Carolina , the SYC provides opportunities for young people to be involved in local and state projects, participate in government, develop leadership skills, and represent youth in civic activities.

Just one month prior to the SYC award, Teen Council member Courtney Mallow was awarded the Violet Richardson Award from the Soroptimist International of Raleigh on behalf of the Soroptimist International of the Americas , South Atlantic Region.  Mallow, a 12th-grade student at Apex High School , was awarded $300 at the local, club level and advanced to the regional level, where she won $1,000 at the organization’s regional meeting on April 29, 2006 in Ocean City , MD.   As part of her regional award, $1,000 was also presented to her organization, the Cary Teen Council, during the Teen Council’s annual picnic and awards meeting on May 16, 2006 in Cary .  The money will be used to fund future service projects the teens vote on in the upcoming year.

“We’re very proud of the Teen Council for their achievements and the difference they’re making in our community,” said Cindi King, Assistant Community Center Supervisor.  “We appreciate the time and efforts they unselfishly give to the Town and our citizens.” King added that the council volunteers approximately 200 hours on average each month.   

Founded in 1987, Soroptimist International of Raleigh is part of Soroptimist International of the Americas – an international volunteer service organization for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world.   Soroptimist’s Violet Richardson Award program was created in 2000 as a way to recognize girls for their volunteer service to their communities. The program honors young women between the ages of 14 and 17 whose volunteer efforts include: helping other disadvantaged girls; fighting drugs, crime and violence; cleaning up the environment, and working to end discrimination and poverty.

Established in 1987, the Cary Teen Council is comprised of high school and middle school members from surrounding public and private schools.  Teens ages 11-18 may join the Council by mailing a completed membership application along with a one-time membership fee of $15.00 (fee includes a Cary Teen Council T-Shirt), payable to Cary Teen Council, to: Cary Teen Council; c/o Cary Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department; P.O. Box 8005; Cary, N.C. 27512-8005.

For more, see Cary Teen Council at www.townofcary.org.

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