Rima is 2009’s Youth Advocate of the Year!!

Prevention Connections has selected Y St.’s very own Rima Patel as this year’s winner of the Virginia Youth Advocate of the Year Award and the $2,500 scholarship!

Rima has been a huge part of Y St. since she joined back in 2007.  After spending months collecting surveys and support statements for the 86 campaign, she contacted the local NBC station to see if they were interested in doing a story.  “I e-mailed them, and they called me 2 days later to come in for an interview. Anybody can do this! All I did was send a simple short e-mail about what Y St. is about, what we were working on, and how their help would be appreciated.”  Rima’s story aired RIGHT after the Super Bowl and was seen by thousands of people. Click here to see a clip of her interview!

Rima is also on your Y St. Leadership Team and has been a big part of the behind-the-scenes planning.  “Y St. is just getting better and better. We have been doing a good job encouraging people to become active by making an impact and completing projects.” 

In just the second year of this award, Y St. is now 2 for 2!  Charles Coats, a long-time Y St-er, won last year.  Rima said there’s something about Y St. that just sets us apart: “We are the best group of anti-tobacco activists in VA, so we have better chances for the annual Virginia Youth Advocate of the Year Award.”  Make sure you apply next year!

Congrats again, Rima! You deserve it!