Call To Action For Local Teens

Teens from all over Loudoun responded to a “call to action” late last year seeking solutions to common problems teens face, and winners of the Step Up Loudoun contest will be named April 4 during a ceremony at Dominion High School in Sterling. 

“The goal of this competition is to provide participants the opportunity to recognize, appreciate and leverage the assets of Loudoun County to make positive changes in their own lives and the lives of others,” said Dusty Sparrow Perrelli, the Advisory Commission on Youth’s Potomac representative.

The Step Up Loudoun Planning Committee saw the competition as a way to help mold action-orientated, can-do young adults that are self-motivated and determined to make a difference. The entry topics were wide-ranging, from bullying to nutrition.

“This competition gives self-motivated youth the opportunity to make a real, tangible difference in the community,” said Christina Druther, Executive Director of Loudoun Youth Inc. “Instead of just talking about the problems, they will put a solution in place.”

Students were encouraged to be creative.

“Entries could be anything; a blog, artwork, a rally, a video, whatever best addresses the issue identified by the youth,” Druther explained.

The competition day will be divided into two rounds, and presentations will be judged on the depth of issue analysis, quality of the solution, effectiveness of implementation, originality and thoroughness of preparation. The first round will be held from 10 a.m. to noon and similar to a science fair, as students at various stations display their issue along with their solution. The top ten entries will move on to the final round, which will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. During the final round, students will present their projects on stage before a panel of judges and the audience.

The winning team or individual receives $1,000 along with recognition at Youth in Government Day and YouthFest 2011. The second place entry receives $500, and third place will receive $250. 

The 2010-11 Step Up Loudoun Planning Committee consists of members of the Loudoun County Advisory Commission on Youth, the Youth Advisory Council, Leadership Loudoun, Loudoun Youth Inc., Loudoun County Public Schools, and the Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services. Loudoun Insurance Group is the exclusive Grand Sponsor of Step Up Loudoun 2010-2011.