"The best thing you can do for yourself... is to do something for someone else." -Michael Holeman

This year's Youth Citizenship Award finalists have something unique in common - they each have a clear understanding of why they believe in giving back. Each applicant's reason for volunteering in the community speaks to how today's youth are making a difference. Michael Holeman, son of Terrence and Joy Holeman of Gillsville, Ga., says volunteering allows him to further his learning and experience by serving others.

Serving others is an understatement when reviewing the finalists' applications. Michael's service includes more than 1,100 hours of community service for organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hall County, Straight Teen and the Restoration Preservation Mission. Michael's involvement with the Straight Teen program is one of his favorite projects. This project uses video documentation as a tool to share knowledge from older generations to today's teens.

"I have personally been able to gain lessons and words of advice from these individuals that can make us, as young people, better citizens, better people, and most of all, better human beings," says Holeman.

Michael's win earns him a Palm handheld organizer, a $2,000 college scholarship, a $1,000 grant to the charity of his choice and a delegate position on the Washington Youth Tour.

Nearly 50 applicants applied for the 2007 Youth Citizenship Award. From that list, five competed in the finalist round. The finalists included Stacey Agbonze of South Gwinnett High School; Yasmin Assar and Zain Gillani, both of Parkview High School; and Carl Thomas (C.T.) Lyles of Grayson High School. Jackson EMC proudly honors these young citizens working diligently to make their communities a better place.

Carl Thomas Lyles: "Because youth are people who will be living in the community, they should do all they can to ensure it is the best possible, and to do so, they should volunteer."

Yasmin Assar: "Volunteering should be an important aspect of everyone's lives because the smallest good deed can make the greatest difference."

Zain Gillani: "I personally benefited from many classes and programs at the Fernbank Science Center, and I volunteer there as much as I can."

Stacey Agbonze: "I personally feel indebted to my community for all the opportunities it has created for me."