Discus Awards

At the beginning of my freshman year I formed a Youth Advisory committee with some of my peers to help promote the GAL (Guardian ad Litem) program on the Treasure Coast. My goal started out and remains; to not only help the children in this system but to also bring awareness about them and the GAL program to our community. Thousands of children in our community through no fault of their own end up in this situation each year. The court system appoints a Guardian ad Litem to represent each child going through dependency court. These trained volunteers put these children's best interest and safety first. I think the GAL program really makes a difference in the lives of these children that otherwise would have no one to speak for them. Without them what would then happen to those children? Who would these children's voices? Who would help them? I'm not sure that most people know just how many abused and neglected children we have in our own communities. I know how surprised and eye opening I found it, to discover how many children go without things my friends and I and take for granted. Not just basic necessities, but the feelings of safety, love, and having people care, I remain committed to this cause and helping these children.

A word to the wise; when forming a committee be careful about who you allow to join. Most high school students need a certain number of community service hours and I have learned there not all will care as much as you do about the cause you are working for. It's like running a business and delegating certain responsibilities need to go to your most responsible and hard working members. Otherwise, you constantly have to follow through and pick up the slack. You can't make other teenagers care as much as you! But, you can lead by example and after a couple of events you'll know who you can count on. Once you've chosen a cause you care about and worked out the details with the non-profit organization to create a youth committee you'll want to identify a need or initiate an event to raise awareness and or funds for your cause.

I have two major events each year. My annual Christmas Wish List Drive aims to fulfill the wish list of these children who otherwise go without. Many of these children had never celebrated the holidays or received presents before. This has been such an amazing and rewarding experience. Working on this event truly embraces what the holidays are all about. This is now my fourth Christmas helping to provide Christmas for these children. My community has wholly embraced my Christmas drive! Local businesses have been wonderful in their support. My teachers and peers support is unequaled. Strangers will read about what I am doing in the local paper and contact me to help. This event has really touched my whole community. Knowing I have helped provide Christmas for thousands of abused and neglected children is amazing. I can see tangible results of what we've accomplished and nothing can explain how that feels.

I take total responsibility for my committee's one big fundraising event each year. I initiated a movie fundraising event for the GAL program. And, this May marks our fourth annual movie event. I conceived the idea and wrote out all my ideas and plans. Next, I met with the theater manager and got all the pertinent information. Then, I went to the GAL president and explained my idea. She gave me the green light and I wasted no time in getting started. I got my committee members on board selling tickers and participating at the event. I have managed to turn this into a hugely successful fundraising event (over $15,000 to date). This constitutes a huge undertaking and in addition to delegating certain responsibilities to my committee members I work on this event all year. It takes a lot of organization and management skills to make this sold out fundraiser look easy and effortless. Not to mention, a great event that raises awareness about the GAL program.

Being organized is crucial to getting things done and making deadlines. You can't procrastinate! In addition to being a NHS student, I play Varsity Football which is a huge commitment, add in my Guardian work and you can see I have no free time. Sports! School! Community service activities! Character! The list is endless... We are all doing things that will define our generation and history. While not all of us will be remembered individually for greatness, we can all make important contributions to our school, community, teams, ... Leading by example and having the moral courage to step up and do the right thing even when not easy will help define who we are. I plan to work with the GAL on a National level and we will be working to implement GAL youth committtees across the country. I'd love to have you get involved. But, if not the GAL choose a non-profit you care about. Don't be a spectator! And, get off the sidelines if you're not already involved with causes you care about. Be involved and make a positive difference in the lives of others and the world we live in.

Filed under: Colby Lufkin • All-Around High School Students • Meet the Discus Winner