News: Cash Prizes Await Loudoun Teens that Answer the Call to Action

Leesburg (Dec. 2, 2010) Registration is now open for Step Up Loudoun 2010-2011, the competition that challenges middle and high school students to identify a problem facing Loudoun teens, develop a solution and implement their plan. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three entries. Students may submit entries as an individual or a team.

“At various events and meetings, teens in the County have listed a number of challenges they face including bullying, academic stress, peer pressure and more,” said Kevin Turner, Chair of Loudoun County’s Advisory Commission on Youth (ACOY). “The Call to Action is an opportunity for youth to take initiative and address the issues.”

Interested teens must submit written proposals identifying their issue and solution to www.stepuploudoun.org by January 7, 2011. Implemented plans will be presented and awards given at Step Up Loudoun on April 4, 2011. There will be plenty of support for the contestants. A peer review session is scheduled for January and resources will be available at www.stepuploudoun.org.

“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 are encouraged to be creative. “Entries could be anything; a blog, artwork, a rally, a video, whatever best addresses the issue identified by the youth,” said Druther.

At Step Up Loudoun in April, teens will present their proposal and a summary of the implementation. Presentations will be judged on the depth of issue analysis, quality of the solution, effectiveness of implementation, originality (in issue selection and treatment), and thoroughness of preparation. The winning team or individual will receive $1,000 and recognition at Youth in Government Day and YouthFest 2011. The second place entry will receive $500 and third place will receive $250. All cash prizes are provided via Loudoun Youth, Inc.

Step Up Loudoun is sponsored by the Advisory Commission on Youth (ACOY), Loudoun Youth, Inc., the Youth Advisory Council and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services.