Phoenix Young Man/Young Woman Of The Year Chosen

May 9, 2001

The Phoenix Youth and Education Commission has announced the winners of the 2001 Outstanding Young Man/Young Woman of the Year Awards, a scholarship program that recognizes outstanding Phoenix youth.

Manuel Rivera, a Sunnyslope High School senior and Ana Torvie, a Thunderbird High School senior, are the Outstanding Young Man and Young Woman of the Year. They were selected from a group of 14 finalists chosen from the city's eight City Council districts.

Rivera ranks first in his class and maintains a 4.0 grade point average. He is active in Boy Scouts of America and a leader in Air Force Junior ROTC and swims on his high school swim team. He also tutors other students and volunteers time to his community regularly. He is learning French, is fluent in Spanish and English, and uses his language skills to help others.

Ana Torvie maintains a 4.0 grade point average and ranks first in her class, while taking on a heavy load of accelerated and college-level classes. She is a member of National Honor Society, a founding member of the North Valley Alliance, and has served in leadership roles on the National Charity League and Anytown/Unitown USA program. Torvie also is Drum Major in the Thunderbird Marching Band and has been in the Glendale Union High School District Honor Band for four years.

The 17th annual awards program solicited entries through Phoenix schools and community agencies from youth ages 13 to 19. Applicants were evaluated for their overall contributions to the community; commitment to excellence through work, school or sports; leadership ability; and personal qualities. The students also were asked to make recommendations to enhance safety in schools in Phoenix.

Phoenix Mayor Skip Rimsza and members of the City Council presented the awards to Rivera and Torvie, along with the district finalists, during a recent luncheon hosted by the Phoenix Rotary Club 100, Soroptimist International of Phoenix and the Phoenix Youth and Education Commission. Each district winner received a plaque and $250 cash award, and overall winners Rivera and Torvie each received an additional $500 cash award. The district finalists include:

• District 1:    Gary Brandon, Moon Valley High School
                    Jenny Hess, Greenway High School

• District 2:    Hillary Trevett, Paradise Valley High School

• District 3:    Kyle Peplinski, Shadow Mountain High School
                    Ana Torvie, Thunderbird High School

• District 4:    Manuel Rivera, Sunnyslope High School
                    Collen Rose Gawne, Phoenix Christian High School

• District 5:    David Burtch, Washington High School
                    Judy Buhrman, Bourgade Catholic High School

• District 6:   Christopher Wie, Desert Vista High School
                    Luz-Elena Coronado, Desert Vista High School

• District 7:    Nicole Norris, Alhambra High School

• District 8:    Adrian Ramirez, Central High School
                     Lucia Simbron, Metro Tech

The Outstanding Young Man/Young Woman of the Year Awards are sponsored by the Mayor and City Council, Youth and Education Commission, Phoenix Rotary 100, Soroptimist International of Phoenix and SRP. For more information, call 602-534-5100.

Media Contacts:

Christiana Ferris Danny Ayala

602-262-6169 602-534-5100