As a longtime member of the Board of Directors of the Rome-Floyd County Commission on Children and Youth, Dr. George Pullen made a tremendous impact on children, youth and families in Rome and Floyd County.  In his memory, the Rome-Floyd County Commission on Children and Youth has established an annual award that is given today for the first time.  The award recognizes one adult and one youth in our community who have each made a significant impact on children, youth and families.

For each award members of the Board of Directors nominated individuals.  The members of the Board of Directors could not be nominated for the award.  We did receive numerous nominations for both the adult and youth awards.  A selections committee of the board was formed to review all nominations and select  the winners.

Today we are pleased to award the Youth Award to Miss Briana Stevenson, a senior at Rome High School.  Three years ago Briana approached the Commission and expressed interest in volunteering her time and abilities to help with a variety of efforts planned by the Commission.  She has helped with several Kids Night Out events at the Rome Little Theatre.  She face painted, collected tickets and helped with concessions.  She also helped with the Grands Who Care summer event where grandparents were able to bring the children in their care to a day of fun, food, and activity.  She has helped with the One Book, Many Voices reception that the Commission sponsors each year honoring the winners of the essay contest as well as the author of that year’s selected book.  Most recently she volunteered for the Strengthening Families event for Hispanic Families by providing child care for the young children while their parents and older siblings participated in the 7 week program.  Briana’s generosity of time and talent has tremendously helped the Commission carry out a number of worthwhile events.  She will graduate as an A-B student from Rome High School this spring and plans to attend the University of West Georgia in the Fall. She plans to pursue a degree in Nursing and eventually to pursue additional studies to become an OB/GYN.

Briana is the daughter of Ms. Dwayne Floyd Stevenson and the late E. Stanley Stevenson and the granddaughter of John and Laney Stevenson and the late Andrew and Elease Floyd.   We wish to thank Briana for taking the initiative several years ago by approaching the Commission with her desire to volunteer and for following through with so many worthwhile endeavors over the years.