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About Us
County Impact Statements - Conway County
The Gene Staton Student Salute Award
About mid 1998, Mr. Gene Staton was serving on the Extension Council as
chairman of the Community Development Subcommittee. The subcommittee met and
decided that a way to develop young leaders was to start early and recognize
them for the accomplishments made while serving their communities. Too often,
youth are involved in activities that no one ever hears about. They work in
their churches, schools, community projects, county projects, etc., and we just
don’t take the time to tell them about a job well done and how good it is for
them to serve their communities. The committee decided to start a program where
each school in the county would have the opportunity to recognize deserving
youth. These students were selected by school counselors.
After three years, twenty-four (24) youth have been recognized for their
accomplishments. Many have gone on to become leaders in various organizations
and participate in activities at colleges and other institutions of higher
learning. Some have been 4-H members; others have not, but this was not a goal.
The goal was to hopefully develop self-esteem in the young person, and encourage
them to become good, active leaders in the county.
Farm organizations, community groups, civic clubs and others have a need for
young leadership. This effort of recognition will hopefully some day lead to a
source of new leaders who can help pass along some of the community development
skills they have been a part of.
Dora Dinnan, left, presents the Gene Staton Student Salute Award
to Amy Dunlap
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Impacts
- Recognition of deserving youth from Conway County schools who do
volunteer work was needed.
- Students from all areas of county need to be recognized for doing good
community programs.
- Local newspapers, radio and end-of-year school award programs were
utilized to recognize the youth.
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