40 Developmental Assets

Check out who’s standing out in our community.

IS THERE SOMEONE YOU’D LIKE TO NOMINATE? Please email coleen@youthconnectionscoalition.org and tell us why this individual has stood out in your crowd.

Hailey Carpenter CAPITAL HIGH SCHOOL, 12TH GRADE Hailey is the first female Eagle Scout in Montana. Typically, Eagle Scout is earned over a 10-year scouting career, having until their 18th birthday to accrue 21 merit badges and complete a major service project (earned by only 4% of Scouts). She completed 36 merit badges in 18 months. For her service project, she led a team of 10 volunteers to build an equipment shed at the East Helena softball fields. She completed the entire project during the uncertainty of COVID. Hailey has won numerous oratory events sponsored by the American Legion. She is also a 3.87 GPA student who had earned the necessary credits for graduation, but stuck around to earn dual and AP college credits.

Sammie McCutcheon CR ANDERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL, 7TH GRADE Sammie lives each day joyfully and kindly, sharing her many gifts with the world. Sammie has performed in numerous Grandstreet Christmas shows, including last year’s production of Frozen. She is a talented ukulele player and is learning guitar. During the warmer months in Montana, Sammie keeps active with tennis, golf, and waterskiing. When winter comes, she loves to hit the ski slopes. Sammie loves school, especially English class. She enjoys reading Harry Potter and Greek mythology and writing her own stories. She is abundantly kind to everyone around her and enjoys spending time with her siblings, cousins, and puppy, Reggie.

Parker Dailey MONTANA CITY SCHOOL, 5TH GRADE Four years ago, when Parker Dailey found out that not all kids in our community have an abundance of food, he was heartbroken. For his birthday that year, he decided to raise money for Helena Food Share instead of asking his friends for presents. Now in 5th grade, Parker continues to raise money for the community through his birthday parties and other charitable acts. He is a loving son and brother, a friend to many, and takes excellent care of his dog and two cats. Thank you, Parker, for being such a great role model and caring about everyone in our community!

Deb Sargent, BSN, RN HELENA HIGH SCHOOL As a school nurse, Deb is responsible for many aspects of wellness - chronic/acute illness, nutrition, and preventative health. She ensures these needs are met so being unwell doesn’t get in the way of learning, like working one-on-one with students to reach their highest potential. Deb partners with parents, teachers, counselors, and resource teachers to modify the classroom environment, administer medication, provide resources, or do whatever is needed to keep students healthy, safe, and successful. Deb loves the varied challenges of working in the school setting and enjoys fostering relationships with students and seeing their growth. Deb gives credit to the amazing team of Helena school nurses who work together to maintain the health of youth.

Lewis & Clark Library COMMUNITY PARTNER Even during COVID, the library hasn’t stopped offering programs for youth. Teen Services is offering virtual programs for fun and recreation, as well as supporting students at PAL. They are also offering Teen Craft at Home. Participants register online, pick up an activity kit, and then join their virtual show and tell to share what they’ve made! Crafts include book pillows, decorative gourds, and pet portraits. Teen & Tween Read Aloud is a different kind of book club! Folks pop in with their favorite snack as they read a chapter of a book out loud together. It’s a great way to encourage reading for pleasure and have fun with peers. For more info visit: https://www.lclibrary.org/101/Kids-and-Teens.