The Youth Leadership Council established a commitment to recognizing excellence and the individuals who propel the mission, vision and beliefs of the YLC across the county. As a trailblazing organization the YLC decided in 2012 to recognize valiant and intentional efforts to perpetuate youth prevention and leadership development with a series of awards collectively known as the Leadership Honors.

The Youth Leadership Council bestows leadership honors annually upon alumni, educators and community members who support youth prevention and leadership development and the Council’s mission and goals throughout Licking County. Honorees are nominated and selected by current Council Representatives.

Alumni of the Year: The Alumni of the Year Honor is given to a former YLC member who has continued to actively promote the core values and beliefs after ending his/her tenure on the Council.

2013: Tawnee GreenRiver [HHS Representative & Historian, Cycle 1]
2014: Emily Harrington [LVHS Representative & Resource Development Director, Cycle 2]
2015: Grace Brechbill [LVHS Representative, Cycle 3]
2016: Holley Mapel [LHS Representative, Cycles 2; Treasurer, Cycle 3 and President, Cycle 4]
2017: Haylie Schmoll [LVHS Representative and Historian, Cycle 4]
2018: Ashley Montagnese [WMHS Representative, Cycles 5 and 6]
2019Natalie Price [GHS Representative, Cycle 6] 

Educator of the Year
: The Educator of the Year Honor is given to a current or former educator for exemplary contributions to youth development and the promotion of strong prevention messaging through education.

2013: Don Haven [Teacher, Granville High School]
2014: Matt Durst [Principal, Granville High School]
2015: Whitney Bobo [Technology Specialist, Newark High School]
2015: Scott Koebel [Counselor, Newark High School]
2016: Valerie Kieffer [Counselor, Lakewood High School]
2016: Amy Vohsing [Teacher, Newark Catholic High School]
2017: Michelle Vayansky [Teacher, Lakewood Middle School]
2018: Sean Bradley, Ed.D. [Band Director, Licking Valley High School]
2019Tara Clark [Counselor, Heath High School] 

Advocate of the Year: The Advocate of the Year Honor is given to a member of the community for going above and beyond all expectations to advocate on behalf of youth prevention and leadership development.

2013: Anna Jeffries [Reporter, The Newark Advocate]
2014: Kim Lust [PR Specialist, State Farm Insurance]
2015: Heather Hawkins [Family Director, Licking County Family YMCA]
2016: Hilary Requejo [Health Educator, Licking County Health Department]
2017: Jamie Ballard [Teacher, Lakewood Local Schools]
2018: Amy Gibson [Librarian, Heath City Schools]
2019Heath Moore [Owner, Gun Depot] 

Member of the Year: The Member of the Year Honor is given to a current YLC member who exemplifies leadership and personifies the values and beliefs of the Council.

2013: Julie Archer [GHS Representative & President, Cycles 1 and 2]
2014: Brittney Wilson [LVHS Representative & Project Management Director, Cycle 3]
2015: Haylie Schmoll [LVHS Representative & Historian, Cycle 4]
2016: Aili Barbee [NLHS Representative, Cycle 4; Leadership Development Director, Cycle 5]
2017: Abbey McNaught [HHS Representative, Cycle 5; Secretary, Cycle 6; President, Cycle 7]
2018: Jenna Chorpenning [LHS Representative, Cycle 6; Administrative Director, Cycle 7]

Ruth Satterfield Award for Prevention Excellence: The Ruth Satterfield Award for Prevention Excellence is given to an individual who actively supports youth development and advances youth prevention across Licking County.

The Ruth Satterfield Award is named after prevention veteran and Licking County resident, Ruth Satterfield. Satterfield was part of the original group of parents who brought youth-led prevention to Licking County in the early 1980s. Serving as the Prevention Director at Pathways of Central Ohio for 15 years, Ruth also held positions at Mental Health & Recovery for Licking and Knox Counties, Newark City Schools and she served as the Prevention Chief at the Ohio Department of Alcohol & Drug Addiction Services from 2008-2011. Ruth continues to promote the benefits of prevention as an Advisory Committee member to the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and as the director of the Venture Youth to Youth program.

2013: Brandi Cooper [Counselor, Granville High School]
2014: Hon. Joe Ebel [Commissioner, Licking County Health Department]
2015: Janice McLean, Ph.D. [Local Philanthropist]
2016: Lewis R. Mollica, Ph.D. [Director, Our Futures in Licking County]
2017: Trevor Thomas, Ed.D. [Superintendent, Heath City Schools]
2018: Erin Fee [Teacher, Licking Valley Local Schools]
2019Doug Ute [Superintendent, Newark City Schools] 

President’s Award: The President’s Award was established in 2014 by Cycle 3 President,  Blake Butler, to highlight and honor someone who has empowered and motivated young people. The recipient is chosen by the YLC President to honor an individual who has mentored and guided him/her along his/her journey. 

2014: Bobby Persinger [Prevention Director, Pathways of Central Ohio]
2015: Andy Bowman [Teacher, Lakewood Local Schools]
2016: Thomas Lawson, D.O. [Physician, United States Army]
2017: Justin Paul [Owner, Paul Automotive]
2018: Lezlie Lucas [Former YLC Project Manager]
2019: Sarah Lang [Teacher, Licking Valley Local Schools] 

Janice McLean Award: The Janice McLean Scholar was established in 2015 to recognize a YLC member who exemplifies the principles and personifies the values of the Youth Leadership Council. The recipient receives a statue to commemorate his/her journey of positively impacting and changing the world. 

The McLean Award is named for Dr. Janice McLean a local psychologist who committed the initial resources to establish the scholarship. Dr. McLean’s only request, “give the award to a young person who has the drive, dedication and passion to help make the world a better place.” 

2015: Holley Mapel [LHS Representative, Cycles 2; Treasurer, Cycle 3; President, Cycle 4]
2016: Jesse Chirdon [LHS Representative, Cycles 4 and 5]
2017: Vincent O’Neill [NCHS Representative, Cycle 5; President, Cycle 6]
2018: Abbey McNaught[HHS Representative, Cycle 5; Secretary, Cycle 6; President, Cycle 7]
2018: Cameron Vayansky[LHS Representative, Cycle 5; Vice President, Cycle 6; Chief of Staff, Cycle 7]

Quick Links
Press Release: YLC honors local champions
Leadership Honors Nomination Form