Loudoun Youth’s “Step Up” Competition Names Top Finishers

March 18, 2021 Lia Hobel Community involvement 1
Photo provided: Snapshot of one virtual presentation from competition.

The Step Up Loudoun Youth competition encourages middle and high school youth across Loudoun County to identify an issue in their school, neighborhood or community and a plan to address it. The goal is to encourage, support and reward the students for making positive changes in their own lives and the lives of others.

Recently, Loudoun Youth, Inc. narrowed down a field of 49 teams to the Top 10 teams in the 11th Annual Step Up Loudoun Youth competition. The event was held virtually March 8th -12th. 

The top ten teams in alphabetical order are as follows:

  • Brayden’s Buds: Supporting pediatric patients and siblings – Woodgrove High School
  • Gift of Giving: Helping children from low-income families in Loudoun County through fundraising and a school supply drive – Eagle Ridge Middle School
  • Hope Spots Exploring: Ocean restoration efforts by linking neighborhood waterways like The Preserve of Goose Creek – Trailside Middle School & Homeschooled
  • Kounslr: Addressing the historic shortage of school counselors and the lack of resources available to high school students by helping students with various aspects of the high school experience, including course selection – Independence High School
  • Pollution Solution: Fighting pollution that is significantly impacting our community – Mercer Middle School & J. Michael Lunsford Middle School
  • Scholarly: Addressing the lack of a high school student community during the pandemic (both in a school environment and when studying from home – Independence High School, Briar Woods High School & Rock Ridge High School
  • Sunshine Program: Raising awareness of and finding ways to help the homeless children in the Loudoun County Public School system – Sterling Middle School
  • The Boredom Busterz: Addressing the issues of boredom and loneliness (that have intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic), which can negatively impact mental health – Willard Middle School
  • Thriving Times: Addressing teen stress during the COVID-19 pandemic – Brambleton Middle School
  • TimeTek: Combating procrastination among students with creation of a one-of-a-kind time management app that acts as a personal assistant and digital agenda combined in one – Independence High School & Dominion High School

FINAL JUDGING AND AWARDS CEREMONY:

Final Judging of the Top 10 Teams will take place on March 25th from 7-9pm on Facebook Live, where all ten teams will present their projects to a new panel of judges. The first place finisher will receive $1,000, 2nd place $750, and 3rd place $500. Teams 4-10 will each receive $100 each. The public is invited to tune into the Loudoun Youth, Inc. Facebook page to watch the finals and awards ceremony live.

Loudoun Youth Inc., present the Step Up Loudoun Youth competition annually in partnership with the Youth Advisory Council and Loudoun County Public Schools and Loudoun County Public Library. 

Loudoun Youth, Inc. was created to help teens in Loudoun County gain exposure to leadership in action and build up confidence. The programs have been developed by a community full of experienced individuals from all backgrounds. Loudoun Youth, Inc. strives to work closely with community partners to develop and share youth serving programs that empower, lead, and connect Loudoun County teens to leadership opportunities. 

To learn more visit: http://www.loudounyouth.org.

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