Youth Energy Summit (YES!) Honored at Character Recognition Awards

Front row – Eric (YES! Student) Shelli-Kae Foster (YES! Program Manager); Mike Sunblad (Glencoe – Silver Lake YES! coach); Michaela (YES! Student); Michelle Isaacson (YES! Coordinator);  Wanda Sommers Wall (Synergy & Leadership Exchange executive director)

Back row –  Cheryl Glaeser & Dave Pederson (YES! Program – Founders) ; Kole (YES! student); Kevin McHenry (MN Dept. of Education Asst. Commissioner)

On a warm Thursday afternoon, 8 students, staff, and supporters of the Youth Energy Summit (YES!) program attended the Character Recognition Awards Ceremony at the Minnesota State Office Building on May 25, 2017. This ceremony was made possible by the Synergy & Leadership Exchange as directed by Governor Dayton.  The event focused on recognizing organizations and schools who have gone above and beyond in order to promote good character and ethical leadership.

The YES! program was one of three awardees to be presented with the Minnesota Ethical Leadership Award, as the panel was impressed with the character and ethical leadership development it provides to students. Representatives from the Glencoe-Silver Lake YES! team, the State Competition Champions, were also present to receive the award as a testament to the impact YES! has on participants.

Following the award presentation, the YES! group met up with Michael Varien from the Legislative Citizens Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), the Commission designated to support the appropriations of the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF). We then went on a quick and lively tour of the State Capitol building with Secretary of State Steve Simon and later a more in depth tour with Senator John Hoffman. We learned about the architecture and history of the capital and experienced places that had been blocked off for years. After the restoration process, the building has come to life. With vibrant colors and hidden images, the chattering visitors were not the only aspect of the capital vying for one’s attention.

Overall it was a very rewarding day being recognized for the great work YES! does and getting a behind the scenes look at our State Capitol was quite the special treat!