Community Spotlight: AV Youth Receives Regional YMCA Award

Community Spotlight: ANTELOPE VALLEY YMCA YOUTH RECEIVES REGIONAL
YMCA EXCELLENCE IN YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD
Mary Miller Honored for Starting Youth & Government Program

Mary Miller received one of the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles’ three prestigious, youth-focused awards at its annual Youth, Government and Teen Excellence in Leaders Awards Dinner at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel. Miller received the Excellence in Youth Leadership award in recognition of her determination and successful launch of the YMCA’s Model Legislature & Court (MLC) Program at the Antelope Valley Family YMCA. The Excellence in Youth Leadership award is awarded each year to a teen who has shown great leadership when faced with a challenge, consistently demonstrated the “can do” attitude no matter the circumstances, been a role model for other YMCA program participants, and made a positive impact on their community through the YMCA.

In early 2017, Miller learned of the YMCA’s statewide MLC Program and became determined to launch it at the Antelope Valley Family YMCA. She worked hard to develop relationships with local politicians and business owners to bring awareness to the program. She spent her summer spreading the word about the benefits of the program to both teens and adults.

Her work was so inspiring that the Board of Managers for the Antelope Valley Family YMCA even asked her to join the Board. – Michael Henderson, Executive Director

In the 2017-2018 school year, Miller’s hope of starting a delegation came to fruition. Mary made the most of the year by immediately applying for a statewide position and being appointed as an Under Secretary of State. Her program peers also found that it was only natural that since she started the delegation that she also serve as their President. Miller went on to utilize the relationships that she cultivated to get the delegation two meetings with State Senator Scott Wilk, including one on the Senate floor in Sacramento. It has been my mission to change the way that the Antelope Valley sees the youth in their community …

I can’t wait for the Antelope Delegation to grow. We’re new, but we’re here to stay. – Mary Miller

In addition to her work with the Antelope Valley Family YMCA, Miller is concurrently both a sophomore in high school and freshman in college where she maintains a 3.8 grade point average; represents her hometown as Teen Miss Lancaster; and, is a dedicated Girl Scout. After high school, Miller plans to
attend the University of California Santa Barbara, attend law school, and run for public office.

California YMCA Youth and Government’s Model Legislature Court has been the state’s premier youth leadership and civic development program since 1948. The MLC creates a six-month learn-by- doing experience that teaches the values of democracy by bringing together a cross-section of the state’s high school students.

There are more than 1,300 teens involved in the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles branch delegations.
If you would like more information about the Model Legislature and Court Program at the Antelope Valley Family YMCA, please contact Cynthia Lathrop at 661-723- 9622 or email at CynthiaLathrop@ymcala.org.