Clayton Parks and Recreation’s Clayton Youth Council (CYC) earned two top honors at this year’s State Youth Council Spring Convention.
The CYC is a teen-run volunteer organization for high school students in Clayton. The council is made up of 56 members and was recognized at a virtual state convention on April 10.
According to Recreation Program Coordinator and CYC Adviser Joni Hubble-Zeneberg, the CYC won the “Most Helpful Senior Award” and the “Most Creative/Innovative Council Project Award.”
The Most Helpful Senior Award was presented to Kadence Baumgardner. She was recognized for demonstrating uncompromising dedication to her council and community.
“Even with balancing school, work, and CYC, Kadence has demonstrated time after time her passion for serving others in the community,” said Hubble-Zeneberg. “We are all so very proud of her accomplishment. She is truly deserving of this honor.”
For the past two years, Baumgardner served as the council’s Vice President and has been instrumental in helping to grow its membership.
“Kadence is great at recruiting new members. She always makes sure they feel welcome,” said Hubble-Zeneberg.
The CYC was presented with the Most Creative/Innovative Council Project Award for its First Responders Appreciation Baskets project. The goal of the project was to bring awareness to the hardships that first responders have faced during the pandemic and then give back to them for their service.
Twenty-one members of the CYC worked together to create gift baskets to benefit the Clayton Fire Department, Clayton Police Department, and Johnston County EMS.
“I am extremely proud of the CYC. Their dedication, commitment, and hard work played no small part in earning this recognition,” said Hubble-Zeneberg.
About the Clayton Youth Council
CYC is to empower teens with the core values of leadership, accountability, and a heart for service. The CYC accomplishes these goals by providing volunteer opportunities, leadership opportunities, establishing high standards for behavior and promoting teens to effectively communicate while managing their time and volunteer profiles.
For more information on the Clayton Parks and Recreation’s Clayton Youth Council (CYC) please reach out to Recreation Program Coordinator Joni Hubble-Zeneberg at 919-553-1550 ext. 2 or at jhubble-zeneberg@townofclaytonnc.org.
