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Judges Couldn't Pick Just One

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By B.C. MANION

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 7, 2008

TAMPA - Sometimes the winner of an awards competition is head-and-shoulders above the crowd. So it's an easy call to make.

Other times, the competitors are so closely matched that judges make an arbitrary choice.

Neither of those things happened in the Heroes for Hillsborough's Children: Youth Leadership Award competition launched this year by The Children's Board.

"It was such an outstanding class, we decided we couldn't pick just one," said Peter Gorski, director of research and innovation for the largest child-serving agency in Tampa Bay.

Instead, the agency chose three recipients: Christian Nunez, Manuela Munoz Alvarez and Ryan Carter.

The three were chosen from a slate of six finalists, who were among dozens of nominees. The winners were announced at a dinner April 17 at Higgins Hall, 5221 N. Himes Ave.

Nunez, a senior at Freedom High, has been a leader in the Little Women of Lutz Club and the Florida Junior Women's Club. She also has been involved on the Mayor's Youth Corp and the Leadership Council for the Mayor's Youth Corps.

Alvarez, a senior at Plant High, has volunteered in dozens of efforts.

She has organized fund drives for tsunami victims, helped on Toys for Tots campaigns, pitched-in on community cleanups and has been an advisor for Camp Anytown, a human relations camp for youths. She has chalked up 700 hours of community service.

Carter, a senior at Tampa Catholic, co-founded a group at the school called Crusaders 4 Community. The group strives to create an inclusive community, which fosters dignity and respect for everyone.

He also is involved in the Junior Statesman program and was selected to attend the Florida Spanish Conference.

All three youths are impressive, Gorski said.

Carter quietly exerts his leadership, Nunez is a reliable leader and Alvarez has a way of excelling at whatever task she tackles, Gorski said.

"Ryan is very thoughtful and methodical about considering what is just and determined to play a role in humanizing the world," Gorski said.

"Christian is a very natural leader," Gorski said. "She only joins what she is committed to actively pursue. She accepts responsibility eagerly and always fulfills her obligations."

"Manuela is a native of Colombia, who, in the eight years she has been in this country, has not only mastered a new language and culture, but has also charmingly marched to the front of every line and every cause she's ever joined."

Nunez, who lives in Lutz, plans to attend Florida State University

She said it's not enough to ask youths to react to initiatives that will affect them. They should be brought in at the beginning of the discussion to be a true part in bringing about change.

She is pleased to be honored by The Children's Board because she said it's an organization that genuinely respects the opinions of youths.

Alvarez, who lives in Riverview, plans to pursue a degree in education from Furman University. She wants to help youths have a stronger influence over what happens in society.

"I want to be able to advocate for them youths and give them a voice where they can be heard," she said.

Besides giving youths a voice, it's important to give them power, Alvarez said.

Carter, who lives in Lake Magdalene, plans to attend American University in Washington D.C. He has interests in communications, law, economics, government and Spanish and will be pursuing a course of study that covers each of those areas.

He wants to help create an inclusive society, which truly provides justice for all.

Other Award Recipients

The Children's Board initiated two other annual awards in conjunction with its 20th anniversary.

• The "Visionary Leader For Children Award" went to Colleen Bevis, a longtime community activist who was instrumental in founding The Children's Board.

• The "Outstanding Provider Award" went to Positive Support for Parents In Neighborhoods (Positive SPIN), an innovative program in the University area aimed at preventing child abuse.

Reporter B.C. Manion can be reached at (813) 865-1507 or bmanion@tampatrib.com. Reporter B.C. Manion can be reached at (813) 865-1507 or bmanion@tampatrib.com. Reporter B.C. Manion can be reached at (813) 865-1507 or bmanion@tampatrib.com.

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