July 22, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      

To:       News Directors, Assignment Editors

From:    Michelle Mazzei, Associate Director of Communications, The National Exchange Club, 800/924-2643, info@nationalexchangeclub.org, Web site: www.nationalexchangeclub.org

National Youth of the Year Announced, Grenada Resident Awarded

                Each year The National Exchange Club awards a $10,000 college scholarship to a high school senior who excels in academic, leadership and community service achievements. Kathryn Dambrino, Grenada, Mississippi, has been named the 2004-2005 National Youth of the Year. On July 14, 2005, Dambrino received her scholarship and was recognized at Exchange’s 87th National Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Kathryn attended Kirk Academy where she was active in many school activities including student government, the school newspaper, choir, debate and theater. Kathryn was valedictorian of her senior class as well as student body president. She received many academic honors including the National Science Merit Award and the National Mathematics Merit Award. Kathryn has also been involved in athletics holding varsity letters in tennis, track, cross-country, basketball, softball and cheerleading. Kathryn was named Kirk Academy Most Valuable Tennis Player and finished first in her district tennis tournament. She received the National Cheerleader Achievement Award and was named an All-Star Cheerleader, participating in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Kathryn is currently Grenada County’s reigning Junior Miss and previously held the title of Miss Teen Grenada County and was second alternate for Mississippi Junior Miss.

            The process for selecting the National Youth of the Year begins at the club level. It is a monthly recognition of outstanding youth in Exchange Club communities. At the end of the year, monthly honorees are reviewed and a winner is selected to compete at the district level. The District Youth of the Year then goes on to the final selection of the prestigious National Youth of the Year.

            The National Exchange Club is a group of men and women working together to make our communities better places to live through programs of service in Americanism, Community Service, Youth Activities and its national project, the Prevention of Child Abuse. To date, the National Exchange Club’s efforts have helped more than 225,000 families and 300,000 children break the cycle of child abuse. The National Exchange Club’s goal is to become the premier service club in America by igniting the spirit of community service across the nation.

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