News

Teen wins DAFB Youth of the Year award

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman James Bolinger
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  A high school student sits alone before eight judges. 

"What are your plans for a post-secondary education?" the judges ask him, trying to determine the character of the candidate who sits before them. "What is the hardest thing you have dealt with in your life?" 

"The death of my grandfather," answered Michael Grudnowski, whose grandfather passed away from Lupus, a chronic inflammatory disease that affects various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood and kidneys. "He lived only an hour away, and I used to see him once a week. We were very close." 

The judges, from these questions, others and his responses to them, eventually determined Michael's character to be outstanding and awarded him second place for Delaware Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year award. The Youth of the Year award is the highest award given out by the Boys and Girls Club as well as the Air Force. 

In April, Michael competed against 36 other youth at the University of Delaware in Dover. He won second place at the competition and with it a $1,000 dollar scholarship from the Boys and Girls Club, as well as a $500 savings bond from Air Mobility Command. 

"It was cool to win the award," said Michael, son of Marilyn and David Grudnowski, 436th Aircraft Maintenance production superintendent. "It's nice when someone walks in (to the Youth Center) and Ms. Roxanne introduces me as the Youth of the Year. It makes me feel important." 

Roxanne Lee, Dover Air Force Base Youth Center director, suggested that Michael apply for the award. 

"He immediately stood out as the person to be our nominee," said Ms. Lee. "Every time he comes (to the Youth Center) he asks, 'what can I do to help?' He is a very stand-up individual." 

A teen who wants to compete must have more than 100 hours of local community service before qualifying to participate. 

Michael volunteers with his football team, which reads to young children. He also participates in an Adopt-A-Highway program through Cesar Rodney High School where he is a junior. 

"It's really great what he is doing with football, especially reading to the younger kids," said Master Sgt. Grudnowski, Michael's father. 

Volunteering in the community and at the Youth Center is just one piece of the package Michael submitted to the judges. He also wrote four essays, took speech classes and spoke at several events. 

One of the essays Michael had to write for the award was about his plans for a post-high school education. 

He said he would like to play football for the University of Texas as the replacement for Vince Young, the quarterback who led Texas to a national title in 2005. 

However, if that doesn't work out, he would like to attend the University of Arkansas. Another bonus to the award is it may help him get accepted to college. 

"I can put this (award) on scholarship applications and resumes," he said. "It shows people that I am dedicated and a hard worker." 

As a Youth of the Year, Michael now works as a junior counselor for the Youth Center, mentoring younger children, said Ms. Lee. 

"His maturity level has increased so much over the course of the year," said Sergeant Grudnowski. "I wish that every kid could go through what Michael has this past year." 

As Michael heads into a new school year, he will balance all of the responsibilities of a typical teen: homework, sports and an after-school job. He will however, be different from the typical teenager in just one way; he's earned the title of Dover Air Force Base's Youth of the Year.