Olympic gold medalist and world-record holder Missy Franklin (Centennial, Colo.) has been has been selected as a recipient of the United States Junior Chamber’s Ten Outstanding Young Americans Award (TOYA), the organization announced Monday.
For over 75 years, the United States Junior Chamber (Jaycees) has recognized the 10 young men and women – aged 18-40 – who best exemplify the highest attributes of the nation’s emerging generation. The 2015 Ten Outstanding Young Americans who will be honored at the 77th annual black-tie awards ceremony to be held Saturday, March 28 at the Embassy Suites Nashville Airport Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee.
“Being selected as a TOYA honoree is an incredible honor, and I feel truly lucky to be included in the same category as so many incredible and influential people,” Franklin said. “I strongly believe in the importance of ‘progress toward a better world,’ and this honor has only reconfirmed my passion in helping others and being a positive influence for young adults.”
Past winners of the award include Bill Clinton (1979), John F. Kennedy (1946), Gale Sayers (1969) and Elvis Presley (1970).
“Every year, the United States Junior Chamber recognizes the accomplishments of 10 individuals who are truly outstanding, and 2015 is no different. Through an intense judging process, these 10 individuals being honored as recipients of the USJC Ten Outstanding Young American recognition are truly accomplished in their fields, in giving back to their communities, and in promoting that “service to humanity is the best work of life,” said Jennifer Ray, 95th President of the U.S. Jaycees.
“These 10 individuals represent the best of the best and individuals we should strive to emulate in our everyday actions. It is my honor to present them their TOYA award in Nashville, Tennessee, and to know without a doubt, as inscribed on the base of the award that, ‘the hope of mankind lies in the hands of youth in action.’ Each honoree has shown a commitment to that hope, reminding all Americans that no problem is too difficult when handled with grace, ingenuity, courage and determination.”
The United States Jaycees Class of 2015 Ten Outstanding Young Americans Honorees include:
· Catherine Draeger, 36, Founder, Shielded Hearts, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
· Dallas Eaton, 26, CoFounder/CEO, United Luv, Billings, Montana
· Dr. Michael Feilmeier, 36, Ophthalmologist, Omaha, Nebraska
· Missy Franklin, 19, U.S. Olympic Athlete, Centennial, Colorado
· Ronda Zelezny-Green, 31, Ph.D. Student, Mobile Learning Expert, London
· Major Tucker Hamilton, 35, Experimental Fighter Test Pilot, United States Air Force, Arlington, Virginia
· Chad Houser, 39, Executive Director/Executive Chef, Café Momentum, Dallas, Texas
· Bivian “Sonny” Lee, III, 33, Founder/President, Son of Saint Foundation, New Orleans, Louisiana
· Brad McKee, 29, CoFounder/President, Disposable Heroes Project, Hammond, Louisiana
· Special Agent Emmanuel Merhan, 37, Federal Law Enforcement Officer/Special Investigator, United States Air Force, Germany
To learn more about the 2015 Ten Outstanding Young American honorees, the program, or the 77th Annual Banquet and Ceremony event, please visit www.usjaycees.org/toya.
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