Nominate an Exemplary Youth for Say Yes to Success

Youth success can be defined in many ways. For one teen, it may be persistence in pursuing a personal dream. For another, success may be serving others or helping those who cannot help themselves.

The Barrington Say Yes! to Youth Success SY2YS recognizes that there are many broad examples of what makes a young person successful.

“We want to recognize good behavior and success, to highlight students doing wonderful things, to motivate young people and let them know their communities care about them,” Nick Sauer said.

This the second year the Barrington SY2YS will be accepting nominations.

To be nominated, the middle school or high school student must reside in the attendance boundaries, but may attend any public, private or home school.

Nominations must explain how a student is:

1.     Serving others without regard for recognition or praise.
2. Doing what they believe to be the right thing when that is not always the easy choice.
3. Working to make their community, school, neighborhood and/or youth group a better place.
4. Standing up for others who are unable to do so for themselves.
5. Pursuing a personal dream or chasing success as they define it.

Last year, 13 students were highlighted for a wide range of reasons.

Sauer said one of the nominees, Jeff Varwig, who was a BHS senior at the time, rode his bike, on his own, 1600 miles from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico to raise money for Angel Tree Ministries, which helps families and children of people who are incarcerated.

“That really blew us away,” Sauer said.

Sauer noted that the committee also recognized a Suraj Katial, who is bound to a wheelchair with cerebral palsy and for his daily efforts to strive to be independent.

Sauer said the committee will carefully assess all nominations. He said the committee includes representatives from various community organizations that are symbolic of the community.

The students who are selected will be highlighted at a ceremony the following Sunday.