Nine Young Leaders Receive Yoshiyama Award for Exemplary Service to the Community, Show the Way to Making Real Community Change.

WASHINGTON -- These nine young people can teach America's adults about solving some of society's toughest problems. The recipients of the 2006 Yoshiyama Award for Exemplary Service to the Community, announced today by The Hitachi Foundation, are tackling everything from helping low-income families own homes, to combating illiteracy among America's children, to raising voter awareness among African American high school students, to protecting people from predatory lending. In the process, these young men and women are showing how the "system" can be exploited for good.

"This year's 2006 Yoshiyama Award recipients are exceptional examples of the leadership qualities and compassion that abound in today's youth, and how they are changing America's communities for the better," said David Dodson, Foundation Board member and Co-Chair of the Yoshiyama Award Selection Committee.

The Hitachi Foundation has named nine young people as recipients of the 2006 Yoshiyama Award for Exemplary Service to the Community. In addition, six were recognized as finalists, while 22 individuals were named as semifinalists.

Recipients of this prestigious award will participate in a leadership retreat and be honored at a luncheon to take place at the National Press Club on October 17. Each awardee will also receive a $5,000 gift.

The recipients were selected by a diverse committee from 212 nominations submitted by community and business leaders, teachers, and other youth. The 2006 Yoshiyama recipients are:

Melvin Colbert, Suitland High School, Fort Washington, MD: Melvin is engaged in the political process and has increased youth voter awareness and turnout in his hometown. In March of 2006, Melvin organized and developed a Voter Education, Empowerment and Registration drive for the senior class at his high school in response to low African American voter turnout. Recruiting guest speakers to discuss the importance of voting, Melvin walked his classmates through the voting registration process, becoming certified as a voter registrar himself. As a result, almost 300 students are now registered to vote. Melvin has also successfully lobbied to create a community bike path for local youths, and helped establish two Montessori schools in his county. He is actively involved in his local NAACP chapter and serves as the Chair of the Youth Political Action Committee.

Kurtis Fluck, Rochelle Township High School, Rochelle, IL: Kurtis seeks to combat childhood illiteracy by exposing children to books and literature at a young age. With his "Read While You Wait" program, he has distributed 2,500 Spanish and English books over the past 4 years to free health care clinics and laundromats throughout his rural community. Children read while they wait for appointments or for their laundry. Kurtis has recruited several retired teachers to continue the program when he's in college. In addition to "Read While You Wait," Kurtis has raised money for families of 9/11 victims and assembled care packages for those displaced after Hurricane Katrina. His desire to help classmates with various issues earned him the recognition of "Natural Helper" at his school for six years.

Ashley Gunn, Jackson Prep, Brandon, MS: Ashley created Students Aiding Indigent Families (SAIF) in 2004 in response to growing crime rates in her surrounding communities. Living in an area with one of the highest home rental rates in the nation, Ashley targeted home ownership as a strategy to decrease crime. SAIF buys and renovates abandoned houses, which are then sold to low-income families for below market value. SAIF also arranges for special mortgage financing and helps clients improve their credit. Ashley recruited more than 200 student volunteers, hired contractors, prepared a business plan, and obtained the proper certifications in order to launch SAIF. All proceeds fund scholarships for students who otherwise could not afford college.

Robert Ingram, McKinley Senior High School, Metairie, LA: Robert strives to combat poverty by investing in education for youth. He created a tutoring program for at-risk students at his high school, and recruited other students to get involved. Robert also engaged teachers in the effort; teachers identify students who might benefit from tutoring. Following the success of this program, he founded a second tutoring program at his former elementary school. When Hurricane Katrina hit, Robert welcomed displaced students and eased tensions at his high school when the population grew 15 percent as a result. He is an active volunteer for the Christmas Buddies Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides basic needs for the working poor, and serves on the Youth Administrative Council of his Church, organizing children's activities.

Antonio Jennings, North Atlanta High School, Atlanta, GA: In January 2004, Antonio founded "Each One Reach One Community Impact Project." The goal of this program is to improve childhood literacy and overall behavior through one-on-one tutoring and mentoring. Since its inception, "Each One Reach One" has helped more than 300 students overcome academic and behavioral challenges. As an added incentive, Antonio promised computers to students who improved their academics and overall attitude. He spearheaded a grant-writing campaign to major corporations, computer companies, and individuals to secure computer donations. Antonio has received pledges from over 100 volunteers to continue his "Each One Reach One" program while he's away at college.

Michaelle Larracuente, Classical High School, Providence, RI: Michaelle empowers youth to become community leaders in an effort to improve the health and safety of her urban neighborhood. She serves as Co-Coordinator of the health education team of Youth in Action (YIA), a nonprofit organization founded and operated by teens. This team is charged with educating young people about health risks by delivering curriculum focused on such issues as HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, and gender equity. Recent data indicates a decrease in risky behavior and a better understanding of the consequences of such behavior. Michaelle also serves as Co-Chair of the Board of Directors for YIA, and has raised $500,000 to ensure continued funding of the program.

Franvalerstar "Star" Martin, Stratford High School, Nashville, TN: Star spearheaded a campaign to educate low-income families about the dangers of predatory lending. This included creating and conducting financial literacy workshops in schools, community centers, and other social service organizations. She also met with the mayor, city council members, and her congressman to encourage policy change and increased regulation of the predatory lending industry. In addition, Star has helped promote the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) initiative, a free tax-assessment service that helps low-income, working families prepare their taxes. Under her leadership, participation increased 300% in one year and has grown into a citywide initiative. Currently, she is working with Junior Achievement to help make its economics curriculum more relevant to underserved students.

Benjamin Pomerance, Plattsburgh High School, Plattsburgh, NY: In 2005, Benjamin started a project to restore a local theater in a broader effort to stimulate his rural community. The closing of the local naval base in 1997 dramatically affected the local economy, both shuttering businesses and stagnating the arts. In order to give an economic and cultural boost to his community, Benjamin led a fundraising drive to restore the arts house by producing a version of the play "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" Co the last live theatrical performance in the theater, taking place 30 years ago. He sold ads door-to-door and initiated a letter-writing campaign to local businesses and arts patrons. Through his efforts, Benjamin raised $3,000, with all proceeds going toward the restoration project, which is scheduled to be completed in 2007.

Joanna Poz-Molesky, Berkeley High School, Berkeley, CA: Joanna seeks to introduce the arts and foster a sense of community among young people of diverse racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds in her urban neighborhood. Six years ago, Joanna co-founded the En Pointe Youth Dance Company, a professional youth dance company with 35 dancers, musicians, and backstage members. In addition to performances at schools and retirement centers, En Pointe holds a recital each spring, from which 15% of the proceeds are donated to educational programs in this and other countries. As co-founder and director, Joanna develops choreography, secures funding, designs costumes, recruits talent, and prepares travel arrangements. In 2004, she organized a recital in Mexico, with all proceeds going to a local boys' orphanage in San Miguel. When Hurricane Katrina struck, the company performed a benefit recital to raise money for the New Orleans Ballet Association.

Named as finalists for the 2006 Yoshiyama Award for Exemplary Service to the Community, and each receiving a gift of $1,000, are:

Steven Engelhaupt, Dublin, OH

Tiffany Grant, Sperry, OK

Danielle Hawkins, Tremonton, UT

Tyler Sanchez, Racine, WI

Morvarid Tavassoli, Irvine, CA

Quingan Zhou, Sylmar, CA

The 2006 semifinalists are:

Eunice Buhler, Lake Forest, IL

Noah DeBonis, West Palm Beach, FL

Brandon Feldman, Treasure Island, FL

Jami Harper, Grand Island, NE

Kiley Hart, Topanga Canyon, CA

Libby Hart, Newberg, OR

William "Billy" Heaberg, Warner Robbins, GA

Sara Heaps, Alameda, CA

Emma Kallaway, Shoreline, WA

Danuel Laan, Ider, AL

Amy Litzinger, Austin, TX

Cynthia Martinez, Eugene, OR

Rachel McMahan, Newhall, IA

Nicola Muchnikoff, Richardson, TX

Michael Nguyen, Santa Ana, CA

Waco Phipps, Kearney, NE

Jose Serrano, Anaheim, CA

Clara Stam, Louisville, KY

Sara Stevens, Chandler, AZ

Christine Sullivan, Wantagh, NY

Marcella Wright, Parkersburg, WV

Simone Wright, Overland Park, KS

The Hitachi Foundation was established as an independent nonprofit philanthropic organization by Hitachi, Ltd. in 1985. Governed by a Board of Directors composed of highly accomplished Americans, the Foundation's broad purpose is to enhance the wellbeing of economically and socially isolated people throughout the United States. The Yoshiyama Award for Exemplary Service to the Community was established in 1987 with a generous gift from Hirokichi Yoshiyama, former president and chairman of Hitachi, Ltd., in Tokyo, Japan, upon his retirement. For additional information about the Yoshiyama Award or The Hitachi Foundation, visit the Foundation's web site at www.hitachifoundation.org.