I write to nominate Durety Dube Biramo. Durety is 12 years old, a sixth grader and comes from Oromia in Ethiopia. She speaks Oromo.
In a collaboration between Community Mediation Services and Homeless and Refugee Children, there is a Success Express after school program aimed at helping immigrants, especially those from Africa in achieving academic excellence. Two Promise Fellows are attached to the program; I am one of the Fellows.
We have struggled to recruit tutors and helpers and at times felt that the program was in danger. With the arrival of Durety, things took a positive direction. Durety serves as a peer tutor, provides help in serving lunch to other students and has shown up everyday. She was very instrumental in organizing the other students for the Martin Luther King day celebration where they performed traditional African dances and recited passages from Dr. King's speeches. I have never met any child of her age who cares so much for other children. She never complains and she's is always willing to play her part.
Besides, at the end of the day, Durety doesn't take the bus, she walk the distance to her home because she is a walking student.
Durety's courage is worth emulating by other students; awarding her the Outstanding Youth award will go a long way in enforcing the impact that is being created by this outstanding student, Durety is a hero and deserves such an award.
Thanks
Mamadee Sesay
Community Mediation Services
9220 Bass Lake Road, New Hope MN 55428
763-561-0033

Hi,
I was wondering, was there a decision on the outstanding youth nomination? Hope to hear from you.
Mamadee