The Young Marines, a national youth organization based in Washington D.C., has named six winners of one of its most prestigious awards - the “Division Young Marine of the Year.” The winners will vie for the title of “National Young Marine of the Year” at the Adult Leaders Conference in May.
The division winners are:
- Div. 1 – YM SgtMaj Enrique Herrera, a member of the Tri State Young Marines in Weirton, West Virginia
- Div. 2 – YM SgtMaj Lauren Loria, a member of the Col Wesley Fox Young Marines, Sterling, Virginia
- Div. 3 – YM SgtMaj Samuel Styes, a member of the Rocket City Young Marines, Huntsville, Alabama
- Div. 4 – YM SgtMaj Kayla Colacion, a member of the Tarrant County Young Marines, Fort Worth, Texas
- Div. 5 - YM SgtMaj Robert Brushaber, a member of the Monroe County Young Marines, Monroe, Michigan
- Div. 6 – YM SgtMaj Jascha Ely, a member of the East Valley Young Marines, Mesa, Arizona
“Each division winner competed at the highest level, and each demonstrates the exemplary qualities of a Young Marine,” said Col William P. Davis (Ret), national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines. “Their communities, divisions, and fellow Young Marines should be proud of the accomplishments of one of their own.”
Each honoree is awarded a cash scholarship and will travel throughout the division to other units to lead, motivate, and serve as a role model. In addition, all six winners will escort WWII veterans to the islands of Guam and Iwo Jima for the annual Reunion of Honor.
The Young Marines organization is divided into six divisions across the United States. Each Young Marine goes through a series of selection processes starting at the unit level, going through battalion, regiment and finally the division. Then one Young Marine of the Year is selected from each division. From these six winners, one will be named the “National Young Marine of the Year” which will be announced on May 11, 2018, at the Adult Leaders’ Conference in San Antonio, TX.
About the Young Marines
The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501c (3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through the completion of high school. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork and self-discipline, so its members can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
Since the Young Marines' humble beginnings in 1959 with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to over 270 units with 9,000 youth and 2,600 adult volunteers in 40 states, the District of Columbia, Japan and affiliates in a host of other countries.
For more information, visit the official website at: http://www.YoungMarines.com.