Utah Air Guard daughter receives ANG Youth of the Year Award

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Lillian Chatwin
  • 151st ARW/PA
SALT LAKE CITY --  Alyssa C. Brown, daughter of Master Sgt. Mike Brown, a vehicle maintenance member of the 109th Air Control Squadron here, won the 2009 Air National Guard Youth of the Year Award in an announcement ceremony at the 109th ACS Saturday. 

The ANG Youth of the Year Award promotes leadership in youth and annually recognizes teen ANG family members who achieve high academic marks and make significant contributions to their communities. 

As the nationwide finalist, Alyssa, a sophomore at the Academy of Math, Engineering and Science in Salt Lake City, Utah, has maintained a 4.0 grade point average, and has served leadership roles both at school and within her community through her involvement in student government work, as a class officer, in her church youth group and within the Girl Scouts of America. 

As part of the award Alyssa will receive The Shelton Challenge Scholarship, which is a six-day residential experience at North Carolina State University that involves students in leadership activities that expand on those skills. 

"This is a great opportunity, and I'm so grateful for it," said Alyssa after being surprised with the announcement of her award. 

Alyssa has a drive and a will to succeed higher than I've ever seen, said her father Mike Brown. 

Alyssa said she wants to become a pediatric pulmonologist, and she is already involved with a "future doctor" program. Alyssa said she is also considering which college she would like to attend. 

"I want to work with kids. My goal in life is to find a cure for asthma," said Alyssa.
Alyssa said that she and her younger sister both have asthma, and her sister still suffers severe asthma attacks. 

This award is going to open a lot of doors for Alyssa, said her mother Teresa Brown.
Alyssa is scheduled to receive the official ANG Youth of the Year Award alongside the Air Force Youth of the Year Award winners in a Pentagon ceremony in June.