Columbus, OH (May 21, 2014) — The Columbus Youth Foundation (CYF) will recognize 96 Columbus City Schools students in the 30th anniversary of the Best All-Around Student Awards, to be held on May 22 at Huntington Park, before the 7:05 p.m. game between the Columbus Clippers and the Durham Bulls. The event recognizes students for their outstanding citizenship and achievements during the 2013-2014 school year.
The CYF Trustees welcome Jody Shelley, broadcaster and ambassador for the Columbus Blue Jackets and a former Blue Jacket player, as the special guest speaker for the recognition ceremony. Joining him at the event will be Stinger, the Blue Jackets mascot. The Northland High School Marching Band will perform before the ceremony and will play the national anthem.
The Best All-Around Student Awards recipients, one male and one female student from each middle and high school in the Columbus City Schools district, were selected based on a variety of criteria, such as academic performance, extracurricular activities, community service, or leadership qualities. Each student will be recognized individually on the field. The receiving line will include: Mr. Shelley; the CYF Board of Trustees; Dr. J. Daniel Good, CCS Superintendent; and members of CCS Board of Education.
CYF has a long history of helping central Ohio youth. Established as a Supporting Foundation of The Columbus Foundation in 1976, CYF has awarded more than $3.2 million in grants to help young people attend summer camp, participate in recreational activities, and enjoy cultural enrichment activities. Among current grant recipients are the Boys and Girls Clubs of Columbus, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio, Columbus Collegiate Academy, Camp Wyandot, Gladden Community House, Momentum, Recreation Unlimited, the YMCA, and the YWCA.
CYF’s links to sports and to the disadvantaged youth of urban Columbus began upon its creation as a private foundation in 1955. A group of distinguished local businessmen created the Foundation that year to hold title both to the Columbus Jets, a professional minor-league baseball team, and the team’s Franklinton stadium. Because CYF returned all profits to the community through grants to organizations that served the sick, underprivileged, and disabled youth of Columbus, it ensured strong local support for the team.
After the Columbus Jets dissolved and their stadium was sold, CYF’s Trustees decided that instead of closing the Foundation, its service to the youth of Franklinton and urban Columbus should continue as long as possible. The Trustees chose to join The Columbus Foundation in 1976 as the first Supporting Foundation. This relationship maintained CYF’s independence, while the Trustees were able to access the services and experienced staff of The Columbus Foundation.
Today, as it has since 1955, CYF makes a difference in the lives of youth from economically disadvantaged neighborhoods of Columbus by providing healthy, positive opportunities to learn life lessons through recreation and sports. Members of the 2014 CYF Board of Trustees are Cathy M. Lyttle, chair; Archie Griffin, vice chair; Catherine T. Willis; and George W. Byers, Jr.
The Foundation welcomes contributions from donors interested in supporting healthy, positive opportunities for fun through youth recreational activities. For more information or to make a contribution, please visit the Supporting Foundations page.