MONTPELIER — Mount Abraham Union High School students from the Vermont Teen Leadership Safety Program (VTLSP) joined students from around Vermont at the Statehouse recently as Gov. Peter Shumlin signed an official proclamation declaring May 2016 as Vermont Youth Appreciation Month.
This proclamation was sought to recognize and celebrate the many important contributions Vermont youth make to society. Youth not only participate in sports, music, theater and art endeavors that provide enjoyment and entertainment in their communities, but many also volunteer in activities and programs, are employed within their regions providing needed services for the citizens of Vermont, are engaged in the use and development of technology and social media thereby supporting and promoting new skills and abilities which will be needed in our future economy, and provide child care and other needed services for their extended families which enables other family members to be employed.
The proclamation is a reminder that Vermont’s youth are essential for the growth and development of an economy in which entrepreneurs will prosper and a culture of respect will develop. At the signing, the governor congratulated the teens for their commitment to their communities and encouraged them to continue their education and their involvement in making the state and the world a better place.