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Hershey's
STRIVE Award Program
Amy
Skeen
Local Administrator
of the Year
Girls in the
Game
Chicago, Illinois
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Sally S. Johnson, Executive Director
National Council of Youth Sports
772-781-1452
youthsports@ncys.org
AMY
SKEEN RECOGNIZED AS HOMETOWN HERO
IN NATIONAL AWARDS PROGRAM
Chicago executive committed
to enhancing girls health and fitness
through sports
 Chicago,
IL. (March 5, 2008) - Amy Skeen,
Executive Director of Girls in the
Game (GIG), a non-profit organization
that encourages girls in the Chicago
area to participate in sports activities
for better health and fitness, has
had her work cut out for her. Obesity
statistics in Chicago exceed the
national trends. Seventy-nine percent
of children are either not offered
physical education in school or
have it only one time per week.
Girls
in the Game rose above these challenges
and emerged as a leader in Chicago
by offering programs that encourage
girls to try a variety of new sports
and develop healthy habits in a
safe and supportive environment.
For her tenacity and leadership
in steering GIG, Skeen is being
honored by the National Council
of Youth Sports (NCYS) as the recipient
of the 2007 Hershey's STRIVE Local
Youth Sports Administrator of the
Year.
STRIVE stands for Sports Teach Respect,
Initiative, Values and Excellence
and the award honors adult leaders
for their "heartfelt passion,
enthusiastic commitment and contagious
spirit to help kids succeed in youth
sports activities." This year,
NCYS will present Hershey's STRIVE
Awards to a national administrator,
a volunteer, a coach, and two local
administrators. Honorees were nominated
by team members, parents or colleagues
and judged by a panel of NCYS officials.
Girls
in the Game offers an assortment
of sports and health programs for
girls including an after-school
program in 20 high-need sites; a
city-wide five-week summer camp
focused on physical activity, health
education and leadership development
and life skills; a community outreach
program with 25 schools, parks and
community centers; and a parent
train-the-trainer initiative. GIG
also hosts a day-long physical activity
and health conference designed for
and led by girls. They also have
implemented a girls triathlon training
program and started an all-girls
flag football team.
Under
Skeen's leadership, the organization's
budget has more than tripled in
the last four years. Seventy four
percent of the GIG budget goes directly
to programming ensuring that the
girls are always the primary focus
and beneficiary of support. The
program has been acknowledged by
Mayor Richard M. Daley for its outstanding
service to the community and award-winning
programming.
"Amy
Skeen leads by example mentoring
staff and coaches who provide individual
attention and serve as positive
role models while improving the
health and overall well-being of
girls in Chicago and surrounding
suburbs," Carrie Lydon, a staff
member, said. "She sets high
standards for herself and staff
and then helps the staff develop
the skills and ability to exceed
those ideals."
Sally S. Johnson, NCYS Executive
Director, noted that the lack of
recognition given to outstanding
adult leaders involved in youth
sports prompted NCYS to create the
STRIVE awards four years ago.
Skeen
will be honored on Wednesday, March
5th during the Girls in the Game
Field of Dreams gala. The STRIVE
event presentation is hosted by
the NCYS and The Hershey Company.
During the celebration, Skeen will
receive a check for $2,500 which
she has announced will be donated
to Girls in the Game.
Other
STRIVE winners
In
addition to Amy Skeen receiving
Local Administrator of the Year,
the other STRIVE Award winners for
National Administrator, Local Administrator,
Volunteer and Coach of the Year
include:
Mark Griffin, founder/president
of Play Rugby based in New York
City, New York is the Hershey's
STRIVE National Administrator of
the Year. Griffin has pioneered
a completely new and unique youth
sports education program using a
non-contact "flag" version
of rugby as an effective tool for
boys and girls in urban area schools
and after-school programs across
America. Griffin brings more than
23 years as passionate player, coach
and administrator to his position
at Play Rugby. He is committed to
strengthening youth character, academic
commitment and helping them build
a diverse range of social, moral
and physical competencies needed
to succeed in life. Play Rugby encourages
kids to have fun, improve their
fitness and learn a new game while
developing ten core values including
teamwork, leadership, discipline,
respect, and responsibility.
George Waldbauer of the Suffolk
County New York Police Athletic
League (PAL) will also be honored
as the Hershey's STRIVE Local Youth
Sports Administrator of the Year.
PAL aspires to make a youngster's
first experience with the police
officer a positive one by keeping
at-risk kids off the streets and
out of trouble in supervised athletic
activities. Waldbauer has been Executive
Director of PAL for 26 years. The
program has grown and now serves
over 29,000 boys and girls many
of whom would have no sports in
their lives without PAL. He led
the extraordinary effort to build
a state of the art multi-sports
complex for players and families
to enjoy. His supporters say, "For
George, it's all about the kids
and his community."
Hatti
Hartman of Austin, Texas was chosen
as the Hershey's STRIVE Volunteer
of the Year. Hartman was recognized
for her contagious spirit of enthusiasm,
her unparalleled ability to organize
and communicate, and her unquestionable
integrity. The Oak Hill Youth Sports
Association community agrees, "It
would take ten people to wear all
the various hats that Hatti Hartman
wears each and every day."
She is a motivator, a doer, and
the one who "pinch hits"
whenever and wherever the need arises.
'Hart'man is the humble heart of
the volunteer-run sports league.
Ron
Komornik of Virginia Beach, Virginia
was chosen as the recipient of the
Hershey's STRIVE Coach of the Year
Award. Komornik coaches baseball
and basketball to youth ages 7-17.
Komornik's nominators said his focus
on respect, discipline and perseverance,
as well as basic sports skills,
has improved young players' self-esteem.
His testimonials are a tribute to
the positive difference one can
make in the life of a child. "He
treats every player as amazing individuals
while leading each one to great
achievements as a unified team."
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EDITOR'S
NOTE: To learn about Girls in the
Games visit www.girlsinthegame.org.
For more information about Amy Skeen,
the Hershey's STRIVE Award or NCYS,
please contact Sally S. Johnson,
NCYS Executive Director at 772-781-1452
or youthsports@ncys.org.
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STRIVE WINNER AMY SKEEN |
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| The Girls in
the Game Field of Dreams 13th Anniversary Celebration was the setting
where more than 450 people were on hand for the gala event which
included the National Council of Youth Sports (NCYS) Hershey’s STRIVE
Award’s 2007 Local Administrator of the Year award to Amy Skeen of
Chicago, Illinois. |
The evening
began with a reception and silent auction that packed the foyer at the
Hyatt Regency Chicago’s Crystal Ballroom. |
The momentum
keeps building for an exhilarating evening of anticipation and
excitement that included a Parade of Champions, the STRIVE Award, and a
special Girls in the Game performance. |
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| Girls in the
Game’s (GIG) mission is to provide and promote sports & fitness
opportunities, nutrition and health education and leadership development
to enhance the overall health and well-being of girls. GIGs
comprehensive programs teach girls the four inter-connected pillars of
its mission – sports, health, leadership and life. |
The theme
for event was “STAND UP” teaching girls to stand up for themselves each
and every day. The unique philosophy of Girls in the Game addresses the
needs of the whole girl by incorporating multiple components of a girl’s
development into one integrated program model. The multi-sports programs
are designed to encourage girls of all abilities to get in the game –any
game—in a non-competitive and fun environment. |
National
Council of Youth Sports Executive Director Sally Johnson and Hershey’s
Fundraising’s Naitonal Sales Manager Jim Bombeck present Amy Skeen as
the NCYS Hershey’s STRIVE Award Local Administrator of the Year. Ms.
Skeen stands proud with her elegant hand-engraved crystal award, and a
check for $2,500 made payable to Girls in the Game. Ms. Johnson also
announced that U.S. Senator Richard J. Durbin had the U.S. flag flown
over the Capitol in Washington D.C. in Amy Skeen’s honor. |
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| Amy Skeen
accepts her award! In addition to many letters of congratulations from
elected numerous elected officials, Illinois Governor Blagojevich
honored Amy with a Proclamation. Illinois State Representative Joseph M.
Lyons paid tribute to Amy Skeen with a House of Representatives
Resolution #1044. All commended Ms. Skeen as an outstanding individual
who has made a significant contribution to the pursuit of sports
excellence, individual involvement, value and opportunity as a leader in
her community. |
NBC5
Chicago’s Peggy Kusinski(r) was the honorary chair and keynote speaker.
Pictured here (l-r) the four-time regional and two-time national Emmy
Award winner pauses to join NCYS Executive Director Sally Johnson, GIG
Executive Director and STRIVE Award winner Amy Skeen, Hershey
Fundraising’s National Sales Manager Jim Bombeck, and NBC’s Peggy
Kusinski. |
Girls in the
Game addresses girls’ physical, mental and emotional health in a
positive, all-girl setting where girls are empowered to find their
voices, explore new physical activities, make healthy choices, and
support one another. GIG makes a difference in girls lives on and off
the field. Here GIG girls, Nathalie Irmer and Catherine Kos are on hand
to help celebrate the event. |
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| The Girls in
the Game staff, coaches, and girls were all on hand to witness the
honoring of those who “stand up” for opportunity for girls and families
while inspiring all to “stand up” with them ensuring healthy choices and
aspiring for constructive self esteem. |
STRIVE Award
winner Amy Skeen receives congratulations from Hershey’s Jim Bombeck and
GIGs event co-chair Kathy Weber, MD from Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush.
GIG offers a safe and encouraging environment for girls to learn skills
that are transferable in the classroom, the locker room, and the board
room. |
NCYS’
Hershey’s STRIVE Award believes the nominator is a very special person
too! Here, GIG’s Development Director Carrie Lydon nominated Amy Skeen
as the Local Administrator of the Year, is all smiles as she stands
proud with NCYS Executive Director Sally Johnson and Hershey’s National
Sales Manager Jim Bombeck.
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| Donna
Lopiano won the GIG award as Life Champion saluting her unparalleled
leadership particularly to girls and women in sport. Here the former
Executive Director of the Women’s Sports Foundation expresses her
appreciation to Amy Skeen and to Girls in the Game. Women’s Sports
Foundation headquarters sent a Letter of Congratulations to Ms. Skeen in
acknowledgement of her STRIVE Award. |
The evening
was mesmerizing. The crowd of people never left the room. Carrie Lydon’s
STRIVE nomination noted that under Skeen's leadership, the
organization's budget has more than tripled in the last four years.
Seventy four percent of the GIG budget goes directly to programming
ensuring that the girls are always the primary focus and beneficiary of
support. The program has been acknowledged by Mayor Richard M. Daley for
its outstanding service to the community and award-winning programming. |
This
evening’s gala celebration concluded with a moving special performance
with two sisters singing and girls performing to a standing ovation of
“STAND UP” for positive choices. GIG teams up younger girls and older
girls utilizing mentorship as a great role model to help other girls
develop their talents and build confidence to try new sports and
activities. |
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| It’s all
about NCYS: National Council of Youth Sports and Hershey’s STRIVE Award.
STRIVE: Sports Teach, Respect, Initiative, Values, and Excellence.
Together we “STAND UP” making a positive difference for a safer, more
wholesome society. |
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| ABOUT The NCYS:
The National Council of Youth
Sports (NCYS) comprises the
who's who in the youth sports
industry. Its membership represents
more than 180 organizations/corporations
serving 52-million boys and
girls participating in organized
youth sports throughout the
United States. NCYS members
include organizations such
as: Little League Baseball,
Pop Warner Football, U.S.
Youth Soccer Association,
United States Olympic Committee,
and Boys & Girls Clubs
of America.
To learn more about the NCYS
visit www.ncys.org.
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ABOUT The Hershey Company:
The Hershey Company has long
offered successful fundraising
programs for youth in America.
Its sponsorship of the STRIVE
Awards stems from The Hershey
Company's devotion to helping
children of all ages to "Dream,
Reach and Succeed" in
everything that they do. For
more information about The
Hershey Company and its fundraising
programs, visit www.hersheysfundraising.com.
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