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AETC names 2006 Youth of the Year

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jonathan D. Simmons
  • Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AETCNS) --  Painting, fundraising, walking for causes, helping people and playing with children...amazingly it's all in a day's work for Luke Air Force Base's Mary-Lynn Piper. What's more amazing is that she's only 16 years old.

Mary-Lynn, a sophomore at Millennium High School in Arizona, won this year's Air Education and Training Command Youth of the Year Award.

"I'm thrilled about the award, but more importantly I'm happy to be able to help people and make a difference," said Mary-Lynn, daughter of Master Sgt. James Piper, a jet mechanic-turned first sergeant at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.

Mary-Lynn is president of the Keystone Club, a Boys' and Girls' Club leadership program. During the club's 2005 Make a Difference Day. Mary-Lynn led a team of young people to help the residents of the Golden Pond, a small, privately run assisted living home for the elderly. They painted, landscaped and cleaned. She arranged the donation and delivery of $15,000 in food and essential supplies for this and another project after the owner of the home was limited by a stroke.

"That was one of the most special projects I've done," Mary-Lynn said. "because I found out afterwards that the shelter would have had to close the day before Christmas if we hadn't helped."

When she's not helping the elderly, Mary-Lynn enjoys interacting with younger children at Luke's Youth Center.

"I love kids," Mary-Lynn said.

In fact, after high school she plans to attend college and medical school with hopes to become an Air Force pediatrician.

In addition to leading the Keystone Club, Mary-Lynn serves as the president for her sophomore class, German Club secretary, member of Kiwanis Club and National Honor Society member.

Her parents said they feel truly blessed to have a daughter like Mary-Lynn. They said she's already mastered the art of leading by example and if she is able to affect the lives of just a few of the next generation with her gifts and passion, then they have done their job.

Mary-Lynn said she's been through hard times in her life and credits her parents with being with her through those times and helping to "keep her up".

Mary-Lynn struggled at a very young age to fit into into American society after moving here from Germany at age eight. At that time, she spoke only limited English and, although her school had English as a Second Language classes, there was nobody to speak German with her. She was forced into a regular English class. Rather than feeling sorry for herself, Mary-Lynn reflected on her experiences, saw this as a challenge and set out to excel in her English class. Today, she is excelling in honors English with an "A" average.

"I've been through a lot of challenges, but my mom and dad have been there to give me advice," said Mary-Lynn. "Even though I didn't always like all their advice," she said with a giggle. "They're always there to encourage and make sure I'm where I need to go." She hopes to encourage other young people that "No matter what obstacles are in your way, stick with it."

To apply for AETC's YoY Award, young people must be between the ages 14 and 18, be eligible to use an on-base Youth Center, write an essay and submit documentation of community and family activities and future plans. The award includes a trophy, letters of congratulations from the vice commander and director of staff and an official AETC stuffed bear. Anyone interested in the program should see their local Youth Center.