HEATHER YOUNG

Heather Young spends her quality time working with the youth of San Juan County. She works to fulfill the five promises for the young people. Young serves on a plethora of committees that are particularly geared toward positive opportunities and encouragement. All of her commitments span throughout the county, so Young is able to touch many lies.

Young serves on the Area Resource Committee for the School District, the 21st Century Advisory Committee, the State Board for Utah Adult and Continuing Education and the Technical Oversight Committee. Young also is a part of the Inter-state Mountain Plains Distant Learning Project and coordinates student orientations for the College of Eastern Utah.

She has served with the Gear Up program, which prepares young people for post-secondary education. Young is one of the main forces in Gear Up. She helped build and fund an entire “real town” where youth participate in real-life situations they may and probably will encounter in the future. They learn about buying homes, creating budgets, bargain grocery shopping and opening bank accounts.

The Annual Storytelling Festival is a major event for the Blanding community. Young is an integral part of this. She coordinated the event each year. Young is involved in every stage. Her work is seen in the planning, trouble-shooting and coordination aspects of the Festival. She uses her talents and skills to mobilize other volunteers and get more people in Blanding involved for the next year.

The 4th of July and Pioneer Day Parades are important community events in Blanding. Young also coordinates these events. Young is especially involved with organizing all the floats and parade entries for the College of Eastern Utah as well as recruiting other volunteers.

In addition, Young volunteers countless hours for the Youth and Families with Promise (YFP) program. She is a mentor as well as a training instructor. Her responsibilities with YFP include a monthly instructional seminar for the mentors. Young is a role model for others who want to be involved, and she proves one person can make an impact.