As summer approaches and classes come to a close, the National Youth Council begins to transition into a new year. We have an outstanding Executive Team prepared to take the helm and lead us into another successful year. With no further delay, the 2005-2006 Executive Team of the National Youth Council:

Chair of the National Youth Council - Erin Ledger Erin takes the reins as a fourth-year National Youth Council member and senior at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business. Erin has served as the Northern Region Vice Chair throughout the past two years and successfully lead the Northern Region team in an initiative to increase youth WalkAmerica revenue by 10% in six target states. On the local level, Erin has revitalized youth involvement in the March of Dimes on multiple college campuses across the north.

Northern Region Vice Chair - Kaylen Mallard Kaylen joins the Executive Team as a second-year member and sophomore at Gordon College in Massachusetts. During her first year on the council, Kaylen has become a shining star in the Northern Region. Her efforts have created new opportunities for youth involvement in the New England area. As a member of the Marketing Committee, Kaylen took the lead in re-designing the March of Dimes Team Youth Awards Program. Currently, Kaylen is preparing to serve as a co-emcee for the upcoming National Youth Conference.

Southern Region Vice Chair - Katie Swink Katie, a junior at the University of Florida, is entering her third year on the council. Katie hails from the Jacksonville, FL Chain Reaction where she served as chair. As a member of the National Youth Council, Katie has not only worked to form new collegiate councils in Florida and Alabama, but she also has worked to further Team Youth's relationship with our Clubs and Organizations partners FBLA and Key Club. In that capacity, she has attended many of their national conferences. Katie is currently serving as the Workshop Chair for the National Youth Conference, working to coordinate 30 workshops with over 300 participants and 65 presenters.

Western Region Vice Chair - Shantel Dinga To finish off our Executive Team, we welcome Shantel Dinga from North Dakota State University and a third year member of the NYC. Throughout the past few years, Shantel has been vital in jump-starting youth involvement in the Dakotas with our Clubs and Organizations partners. In preparing for the 2005 National Youth Conference, Shantel has shown incredible dedication and creativity while organizing dorm-floor activities for over 300 participants.

Finals are over and with that last ring of the bell and slam of the locker, summer has finally begun. Although WalkAmerica season may seem like a distant memory, summer is one of the best times to work on behalf of babies for the March of Dimes.

In 2005, the March of Dimes commemorates 50 years of youth volunteer leadership for the foundation. The March of Dimes will be celebrating the accomplishments of our youth volunteers at our 50th Anniversary National Youth Leadership Conference at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, from July 27-30, 2005.

Finally, it is never too early to kick off the new year. September is just around the corner and now is the time to start preparing. Get a jump-start on organizing your council, whether it be through planning a welcome back party for returning members or putting together new and updated orientation materials for new members. Although Prematurity Awareness Day will be held in November, start thinking of ways to celebrate and make an impact this November.

Babies need to be born healthy year round which means that babies need your help year round.

Wristbands4Awareness

Georgia-Pacific has created a rewards program for kids aged 8-18 who are making a difference in their community. Three grand-prize winners and fifteen first-prize winners will be awarded a combined total of more than $50,000 in prizes. The deadline is August 15, 2005. To find out more about this program,visit www.angelsoft.com