Step Up Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Step Up is April 4 at Dominion High LEESBURG, VA (March 4, 2011) –Middle and high school students from across Loudoun will compete in the inaugural Step Up Loudoun on April 4, 2011 at Dominion High School.

Last fall, the Step Up Loudoun Planning Committee issued a “call to action”. “We invited student individuals and groups to create and implement a solution to an issue faced by Loudoun youth. We received 50 entries, an amazing response for the inaugural year,” said planning committee member and Leadership Loudoun Vice-President Mike Morgan.

Teens selected a variety of topics from bullying to nutrition to gang violence. The action plans are just as varied. “We told students they could use any medium to address their issue. Entries include blogs, rallies, information campaigns, websites and more,” said Advisory Commission on Youth Potomac District Commissioner Dusty Sparrow Perrelli.

Students submitted their proposals in early January and have been working since then to implement their plans. They are competing for cash prizes and other recognition. “The goal of this competition is to provide participants the opportunity to recognize, appreciate, and leverage the assets of Loudoun County to make positive changes in their own lives and the lives of others,” Perrelli said.

At Step Up, which is open to the public, teens will present their proposal and a summary of their implementation. Their projects will feature displays which will be set up similar to a science fair.

Entries will be judged on the depth of issue analysis, quality of the solution, effectiveness of implementation, originality (in issue selection and treatment), and thoroughness of preparation.

The winning team or individual will receive $1,000 and recognition at YouthFest 2011. The second place entry will receive $500 and third place will receive $250. All cash prizes are provided via Loudoun Youth, Inc. Step Up will consist of two rounds. Preliminary judging will be from 10am until noon. The finalists will be announced and those top ten individuals/teams will make formal presentations of their entries before a panel of judges and other Step Up participants from 1-3pm. All youth that do not make the finals will be able to watch the final presentations and cast their vote for their favorite. “The outcome will be a tangible experience that will set apart the participants as actionoriented, can-do young adults with the self-motivation and determination to make a difference in their community,” said Loudoun Youth Inc. President Carol Kost.

Step Up Loudoun is coordinated by the Advisory Commission on Youth (ACOY), Loudoun Youth, Inc., Leadership Loudoun, Loudoun County Public Schools and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services. Loudoun Insurance Group is this year’s exclusive grand sponsor.

Contact: Kristin Garrett, Youth Advisory Council Coordinator Kristin.garrett@loudoun.gov 571-439-4725 ###