PATH Honors Teen Leaders and Supporters

Edison High School Senior George Amaya received the 2010 Pathblazer Peer Leader Scholarship at A Positive Approach to Teen Health’s May 23 path-honors-teen-leadersaward dinner held at Avalon Manor. In addition to his exceptional character, service, and leadership, the $500 scholarship recognizes Amaya’s contributions to his peers, school, and community through exemplary participation in the Pathblazer Peer Leadership Program. Amaya will attend Manchester College next fall.

A total of 126 students from Calumet, Chesterton, Culver, East Chicago Central, Edison, Griffith, Hebron, Knox, Kankakee Valley, Michigan City, Morgan Township, North Judson, Oregon Davis, Portage, River Forest, South Newton, South Central, Valparaiso, Washington Township, Wheeler, and Westville High Schools and Victory Christian Academy were recognized for their commitment and service as Pathblazer Peer Leaders. Comedian and national youth speaker Keith Deltano provided the evening’s entertainment.

Receiving first place awards in PATH’s Artistic Expression contest were Highland High School Senior Claire Elise Betustak and Lauren Rothbauer, eighth grader at River Forest Middle School.

PATH’s Empowering Youth Award was presented to Amy Stowers, The Dwelling Place, Charlene Plotner, Diana Carlson, Gail Morris, Gloria Guerrero, Guy Skrobul, James Ash, Jerry and Diana Detwiler, Joyce Bolin, Liliana Rasala, Michael Worosz, Phyllis Nimetz, Suzanne Carmichael, and retired PATH co-founder Wilma Willard. The award honors adults and groups who have provided exceptional encouragement and support to PATH programs.

Pathblazer Peer Leaders are high school students trained by A Positive Approach to Teen Health in peer-to-peer education, leadership, communication, other life and professional career skills, and volunteer opportunities. They also learn how to share their commitment with and serve as role models for their peers, in part by assisting PATH health educators in middle school classrooms.

For more information on A Positive Approach to Teen Health and the Peer Leader program, go to www.pathblazer.org.

PHOTO CAPTION: PATH Executive Director and Health Educators Jaime Bauer and Airen-Celeste Harris present the 2010 Pathblazer Peer Leader Scholarship to George Amaya, a senior at Edison High School.