For Release: February 6, 2009
Contact: David Clementson
Email: dclementson@oag.state.va.us
Phone: 804-786-2071
Attorney General McDonnell, Troutman Sanders
Present
2008-09 Y.O.U.T.H. Awards
This Year’s Competition Specifically for Students Attending GRIP Area Schools in Richmond
All Four Winners Attend Huguenot High School
RICHMOND - Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell and former Virginia Attorneys General Anthony F. Troy and Stephen D. Rosenthal, partners with the law firm of Troutman Sanders LLP, presented four Richmond students with $1,000 savings bonds at the 11th Annual Y.O.U.T.H. Awards Ceremony held at the Troutman Sanders building in Richmond this afternoon. This year’s winners are Da’Nesha Hill, Jasmin Morris, Chantial Pulliam and Jonathan Smith, all of Huguenot High School in Richmond (biographical sketches of the winners can be found below).
The Y.O.U.T.H. (Young Old United to Help) awards, a program initiated by Troy and Troutman Sanders, are given each year to outstanding young men and women from across Virginia who have exhibited strong character and a willingness to give back to their communities. The awards are presented by the Office of the Attorney General in conjunction with Troutman Sanders and the Greater Richmond Bar Foundation.
This year, for the first time, the competition was specifically for students who attend one of the two Richmond high schools that serve areas covered by the successful Gang Reduction and Intervention Program: G.R.I.P. The program, which is administered through the Virginia Office of the Attorney General, is a collaborative effort between the City of Richmond, federal, state and local partners focusing on communities in the Broad Rock corridor in the City of Richmond. The goal of the program is to significantly reduce gang activity in these communities. The G.R.I.P. program includes over forty programs focusing on the strategic areas of primary and secondary prevention, intervention, suppression and reentry. G.R.I.P. is funded through a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in the amount of $2.5 million.
To learn more about G.R.I.P. click here.
“These four young Virginians represent the future of our Commonwealth,” Attorney General McDonnell said. “They are leaders both in and out of the classroom. All four should be applauded for their commitment to their communities, and their fellow citizens.”
Troutman Sanders partner Anthony F. Troy said, “Every year I am more impressed by the caliber of the Y.O.U.T.H. award recipients. These four Huguenot High School students have bright futures ahead of them; I am pleased we can help them achieve their dreams.”
The award winners were selected by a committee of representatives from the Attorney General’s office and Troutman Sanders.
About the 2009 Y.O.U.T.H Award Winners
Da’Nesha Hill is an nonor roll student at Huguenot High School and will graduate this June.
She has played an active part in the Family Career Community Leaders of America and Future Business Leaders of America. Da’Nesha has been a member of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps her freshman, sophomore and junior years where she was promoted from a Corporal to 2nd Lieutenant in ROTC. She is also a member of the Huguenot High School Marching Band. Her sophomore year Da’Nesha was a member of the school’s basketball team. She has received the Huguenot High School Citizenship Award and has perfect attendance.
On top of her school involvement Da’Nesha has been active in the community through involvement with the Special Olympics, the Virginia Blood Drive and has collected canned goods with her school for those in need.
Da’Nesha also works at DTLR as a sales associate in efforts to help her mother with finances for her future education.
Da’Nesha hopes to attend Morgan State University or VCU next year to study criminal justice. She hopes to be a voice for organizations such as GRIP or the YOUTH Awards in the future.
Ms. Terrie Harris, site coordinator for Communities in Schools of Richmond, nominated Da’Nesha for this award.
Jasmin Morris is a senior at Huguenot High School.
In her time at Huguenot High School, Jasmin has been the President of the class of 2009 for three years. She has been a flag girl for the school’s marching band, a cheerleader for four years, a representative for the Richmond Public School’s Quiz Bowl for HHS, and CapitalOne’s Future Leader Forum for Young Women representative for three years. Jasmin is a member of the National Science Honor Society, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society and French Honor Society. Jasmin received the President’s Education Award and the William and Mary Leadership Award. Jasmin is ranked 4th in her class out of 272.
Jasmin started TAG, Tray Against Guns, after a very close friend of Jasmin’s, died from a gunshot wound. Jasmin and the victims’ mother started TAG in order to promote a fun and safe environment for students at their school. TAG has hosted bowling and pool parties for students and members of the organization have also done community work, including being water station workers at the Monument Avenue 10k. Jasmin was a winner at the 8th Annual Celebration of Young Poets after writing about her experience losing her close friend.
Jasmin works part-time as a CJW Medical Center Nutritional Assistant and also works at Huguenot High School as an office assistant.
Mr. Craig Christmas, Jasmin’s guidance counselor and friend, nominated Jasmin for this award.
Chantial Latrice Pulliam will graduate from Huguenot High School in June of 2009.
Chantial, an Honor Roll student, tries to make her school and community a better place by working for major school initiatives such as KOM, Huguenot High School’s Kick-Off Mentoring Program. Chantial is also involved with Future Business Leaders of America and the Health Occupation for Students Association (HOSA.)
She has been an assistant with the Richmond Ambulance Authority assisting with medical trauma emergencies. Chantial has also attended the Congressional Black Legislative Caucus Conference. Chantial, a member of the French National Honor Society and Who’s Who Among American High School Students, plans to continue her education in the medical field.
Ms. Terrie Harris, site coordinator for Communities in Schools of Richmond, nominated Chantial for this award.
Jonathan Smith is a senior at Huguenot High School. An honor roll student, Jonathan is Vice President of Huguenot High School’s senior class.
He is also involved with the Future Business Leaders of America, a member of the student council, and a KOM Kick Off Mentoring Counselor. His academic accolades include being a member of the school’s Battle of the Brains team, a recipient of the school’s Computer Information Award, and a member of the Scholar Roll. He has also received the school’s Citizenship Award.
Jonathan is also a standout student athlete at Huguenot High School. He has run cross country, in which he was MVP his sophomore year, played volleyball and soccer, and has been a member of the indoor and outdoor track teams through his four years, teams that were state runner-ups his freshman year.
Jonathan is involved in the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program which vows to keep the young on the right track and away from drugs. He has also volunteered his time with Special Olympic track events including the Byrd Park Run-a-thon (among others.) For his well rounded resume, Jonathan was selected as the Most Outstanding Male in the Junior Class last year.
Jonathan does all of these activities and still has time to work at Ukrop’s to provide for his family. Jonathan hopes to attend the University of Virginia or Virginia Tech where he plans to study engineering or marketing.
About the Greater Richmond Bar Foundation:
The Greater Richmond Bar Foundation is a charitable organization that was created to support and facilitate education of the public, pro bono legal services, project sponsorships, scholarships, and other public service projects throughout the Richmond area. The Foundation includes many community leaders and representatives who work with the local legal community in law-related projects beneficial to the local area and legal system.
About Troutman Sanders:
Troutman Sanders LLP is an international law firm with over 750 lawyers and 15 offices in North America, Europe and Asia. Founded in 1897, the firm’s lawyers provide counsel and advice in practically every aspect of civil and commercial law related to the firm’s core practice areas: Corporate, Finance, Litigation, Public Law and Real Estate. Firm clients range from multinational corporations to individual entrepreneurs, federal and state agencies to foreign governments, and non-profit organizations to businesses representing nearly every sector and industry. See www.troutmansanders.com for more information.
