The Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition encourages middle and high school youth across the county to identify an issue facing local teens, create a plan to address that issue, and implement the plan. The goal 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. The outcome is a tangible experience that will set apart the participants as action-oriented, can-do young adults with the self-motivation and determination to make a difference in their community. Step Up Loudoun Youth is a collaboration between Loudoun Youth Inc., Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services, the Advisory Commission on Youth, Leadership Loudoun and Loudoun County Public Schools.
Step Up 2013 was a huge success!
WELL DONE to all the participants for making a difference in our lives!
The Step Up Loudoun Youth Winners 2013:
1st Place, $1000
Learning Instantly
Anoop Hariharan, J. Michael Lunsford Middle School
2nd Place, $500
Mission Possible: Knock Out Bullying
Aashish Batheja, Robin Jiang, Raghav Saravanan, Harish Sundar
J. Michael Lunsford Middle School
3rd Place, $250
Share A Smile
Courtney Latourrette, Kristen Langley, Brian Mitchell,
Courtney Davis, Torie Alfonso
Briar Woods High School
Links to Step Up winners: Learning Instantly, Mission Possible: Knock Out Bullying.
ALL Step Up participants are not only the leaders of the future, but young leaders of today. See a complete list HERE.
For more information and photos on Step Up Loudoun Youth, visit the event website or find us on Facebook.
History and Description
The program was started in 2004 as a way for youth to speak out about issues they observed in their schools and communties.Over the years, it has evolved to allow youth an opportunity not only to speak out but also to do something to have an impact on the issues they find pressing.
Starting in November, program coordinators visit local middle and high schools to promote the competition to guidance counselors, teachers and students. Applications outlining proposed plans are due in early January. Then, from January through the beginning of March, youth are tasked with implementing their plans. They are provided with guidance through self-selected or assigned advisors, periodic meetings and a Facebook page. At the end of the competition period, youth showcase their projects to each other, judges and the local community. All projects are recognized in some way, but the top three win cash prizes.
2012 Issues Identified by Youth
- bullying
- cyber-bullying
- internet safety
- teen dating
- sex
- teen pregnancy
- homelessness
- poverty
- academic pressure
- self esteem
- nutrition/obesity
- stress
- depression
- suicide
- drugs/alcohol
- drunk driving
- patriotism
- littering
- endangered species
Partnership with the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals
In 2012, Loudoun Youth Inc. formed a partnership with the Young Professionals group to provide youth teams access to an advisor to assist them through the competition implementation phase. The Young Professionals provide feedback and advice on program implementation and presentation preparation for the competition in April. They are a sounding board for teams who did not identify their own advisor for the competition. Thank you Young Professionals!
Help us recognize and support the incredible youth of Step Up Loudoun
To help Loudoun Youth Inc. continue to bring Step Up and other programs to our youth, learn about our sponsorships.
