CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth and business incubation program, Leap Organization, hosted its annual Dining with the Stars Gala at the Riverview Inn in downtown Clarksville on Saturday, March 4, 2017.
During the annual Dining with the Stars, high school seniors in the Clarksville-Montgomery County community are awarded $1,000 and $500 scholarships based on their essay submission. Hand Family Companies sustained the gala with their $2,500 donation that helped support LEAP’s night of student stars shining bright.
The evening consisted of dinner for 170, live performances, silent auctions, door prizes, and a Community Leadership Award of Excellence award given to Senator Mark Green.
Judge Alberto Gonzalez, former U.S. Attorney General, served as the keynote speaker and spoke about LEAP’s impact. “I find LEAP’s mission critical to developing the next generation of leaders that will be tasked with shaping our nation,” he said.
Leap Organization operates and funds intervention, life skills, and leadership, mentorship, and community service learning programs for youth ages 11 to 18.
“I am very proud of our scholarship recipients,” executive director, Richard “Reason” Garrett said. “Both Kennedy and Bailyn demonstrated a firm understanding that the moment you take responsibility for everything in your life is the moment you can change anything in your life. Rebecca has demonstrated this level of responsibility in her three-year tenure as an exceptional participant in the program.”
This chic gala highlighted Chris Allen, Kate Rivera, and Robert Zipp as they each gave testimonials about LEAP’s benefit in their development as responsible, mature leaders.
The 2017 winner of the $500 Scholarship Award is Bailyn DuPont. The $1,000 Scholarship Award Winner is Kennedy Parham and the $1.000 Joe Shakeenab Scholarship Award of Excellence Winner is Rebecca Corbin. A panel of 12 judges from Leap’s board and advisory board scored the submitted essays.
The mission of Leap Organization is to help youth and individuals attain emotional wellness and economic independence by advancing self-awareness, educational achievement, and entrepreneurial success. Its patrons are devoted to forever destroying the stereotype of the unproductive youth and young adult.