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Lacamas Life Magazine

The Vancouver National Historic Reserve Trust, the Marshall Youth Award Selection Committee, and Vancouver Mayor Royce E. Pollard announced Wednesday, March 7, 2007 that Jane Lee from Mt. View High School will be the recipient of the 2007 General George C. Marshall Youth Leadership Award. A special award ceremony will take place to honor Ms. Lee on Wednesday, March 28, 2007, at 4 PM at the Marshall House on Officers Row. The ceremony is open to the public. Ms. Lee will receive a $1,000 scholarship, a $500 summer internship with the Vancouver National Historic Reserve Trust, an opportunity to meet with local elected representatives, an invitation to participate as an honoree in all Celebrate Freedom events and programs, and will also receive a biography of General George C. Marshall.

The General George C. Marshall Youth Leadership Award was established in 2000 and is presented to a high school age student, living in Clark County, who demonstrates leadership, takes a stand for the rights of others, serves as a role model, shows initiative, and motivates others to become involved. This award is one of the Celebrate Freedom programs organized by the Vancouver National Historic Reserve Trust. Celebrate Freedom is a series of festive and educational events that inspire all generations to strengthen the community values of leadership, public service, patriotism, lifelong learning and vision. Now in its fourteenth year, Celebrate Freedom programs include the Marshall Lecture Series presented by Bank of Clark County, Marshall Youth Leadership Award presented by Clark County Association of Realtors, the Flag Day Ceremony presented by Veolia Water, Comcast presents 4th of July at the Historic Reserve, Marshall Public Leadership Award presented by the Bank of Clark County and the Veterans Day Parade presented by FieldStone Communities.

The Marshall Youth Leadership Award, the only program of its kind in the country, was started to honor the legacy of General George C. Marshall. General Marshall was U.S. Army Chief of Staff during World War II, Secretary of State under President Truman and the 1953 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. >From 1936 to 1938, Marshall served as commander of the 5th Brigade covering Oregon and Washington, including the supervision of twenty-seven Civilian Conservation Corp Camps from his headquarters at the Vancouver Barracks.

Ms. Lee was nominated for this award by Beth Houston, Clark County Youth Commission Program Coordinator. Ms. Lee is President of Mt. View’s Red Cross Club and works passionately on the Clark County Youth Commission. She also received the 2007 YWCA Community Service Award. Ms. Houston stated in her recommendation, “I have seen Jane lend her visionary and organizational genius to many events. She continues to inspire, organize, and catapult the Youth Commission into success at every turn.”    

Members of the Marshall Selection Committee were once again impressed with the high caliber of dedication and achievements by this year’s nominees. The 2007 nominees have all demonstrated leadership and service to their community through their chosen causes, groups and local organizations. The Committee members were also pleased to receive numerous nominations from a diversity of school districts.

The dynamic young leaders of our community nominated for the 2007 award were:

Samuel Baciuc, Evergreen High School
Brooke Bekkedahl, Columbia River High School
Derek Burton, Ridgefield High School
Julianne Chapman, Skyview High School
Joe Clark, Hudson’s Bay High School
Justine Dominguez, Woodland High School
Deborah Ecaruan, Mt. View High School
Kathryn Gaffney, Vancouver School of Arts & Academics
Ashli-Marie Grant, Vancouver School of Arts & Academics
Krista Greear, Washougal High School
Jonathan Groat, Ridgefield High School
Evelyn Harper, Columbia River High School
Megan Karas, Ridgefield High School
Colleen Kimsey, Vancouver School of Arts & Academics
Jane Lee, Mt. View High School
Hailey Mark, Hudson’s Bay High School
Amanda Mayoral, Ridgefield High School
Bridget McNutt, Evergreen High School
Melanie Palmer, Evergreen High School
Jennifer Pesut, Mt. View High School
Samantha Peraza, Ridgefield High School
Erin Taylor, Camas High School
Kelsey Wells, Heritage High School