McClain HI-Y honored
The Ohio-West Virginia YMCA will present the HI-Y Preservation of Democracy Award to McClain HI-Y during the opening session of the 59th Ohio HI-Y Youth in Government, April 15 at 3 p.m., in the House of Representatives at the Statehouse.
Ohio first lady Frances Strickland will deliver the presentation.
The late Chief Justice Thomas Moyer had been scheduled to present the award. The chief justice was an alumnus of Youth in Government, served on the Ohio Youth in Government Committee and the Cave Lake Leadership Team. Moyer passed away unexpectedly on April 2.
The award is not given each year. The first HI-Y Presentation of Democracy Award recognized Bob and Jewell Evans. HI-Y’s Preservation
of Democracy Award is given in recognition of extraordinary commitments to the principles of our nation, long-term work to build
better futures and sustained efforts to prepare new generations of responsible citizens.
"Ohio’s future requires all of us. We must always work for the future and for futures well beyond our own time. Today, a very special honor
will be bestowed on a HI-Y that was started 83 years ago by a teacher, the late Richard A. Larkin. What he and his students did in 1928 by
starting McClain HI-Y is an Ohio success story," said Strickland.
McClain HI-Y Adviser Emily Anderson, members of the McClain HI-Y, alumni and other individuals from McClain High School and the
Greenfield Exempted Village Schools will be in attendance to accept the award.
According to Strickland, the McClain Hi-Y is being recognized for preparing thousands of youth for more informed and active citizenship; strengthening student leadership and student governance; building better futures for all through hundreds of school and community service initiatives; statewide leadership to Youth in Government, HI-Y Model United Nations and YMCA Camp Horseshoe; stepping up to help establish HI-Y’s new Ohio Cave Lake Center for Community Leadership and providing opportunities for so many, so often and so well for 83 years.
Strickland also praised the Greenfield Exempted Village Schools and Edward Lee McClain High School for their vision to connect classroom lessons to building student leadership and service; commitment to include HI-Y as a part of the curriculum; investment of time, effort and resources for HI-Y to succeed; support to HI-Y advisers and students; and their understanding that education is a partnership of the school, community, youth, adults, student activities and HI-Y.
"Thank you, Emily, members, alumni, school administrators and everyone who has done so much for so long to make McClain HI-Y one of Ohio’s treasures. As we move forward building Ohio’s future, we count on McClain HI-Y to help lead the way," said Strickland.