Lake Region—A youth and young adult ministries summit was recently held in Dallas, Texas, Feb. 14-17, coordinated by the Youth and Young Adult Ministries Department (NADYM) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America. At the summit, the Distinguished Youth Award was presented to 13 young people who excelled in one of four areas: youth evangelism, Pathfinders, community service or academics. Joy Alexander of NADYM said, "It is our hope that they will stand as a shining example of what God can do in the lives of young people and, in so doing, affect many."

In the Lake Union, Mykel Matthews of the Lake Region Conference was nominated and selected for excellence in youth evangelism. A member of the Hyde Park Church, Matthews has been actively involved in Adventist ministries since her pre-teen years. She assists with Vacation Bible School each summer and with Children's Church year round. Matthews also serves as an assistant Sabbath school secretary and a member of the AY department.

Matthews is also actively involved in Pathfinders. As a part of the Hyde Park Constellations, she is the only member of the club who has been invested in all six Pathfinder classes. Matthews participated in the Teen Leadership Training Program and has been given leadership responsibilities within the Constellations. Specifically, she serves the club as honors coordinator. Under her guidance, the club completed more honors in 2007 than they had in previous years. The Constellations Pathfinder Club has also given Matthews the opportunity to serve her community.

Matthews participates in the March of Dimes fundraiser walk each year. Furthermore, she enjoys serving others during summer mission trips. In 2005, Matthews helped with home repairs for the elderly in Manistee, Mich. In 2006, she provided fellowship and assistance to residents in a nursing home in Manassas, Va. Matthews also participates in service projects through her school, Whitney Young Magnet High School.

While maintaining a 4.6 GPA on a 4.0 scale, Matthews is actively involved in five clubs. As a member of The Pre-Med Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Mayor Daley's Book Club, National Honor Society and the Whitney Young Gospel Choir, Matthews is required to attend weekly meetings and complete service projects. Packing boxes for the Chicago Food Depository and lobbying at the State Capital are examples of the many ways Matthews serves her community through school projects.

In addition to service opportunities, Whitney Young Magnet High School has given Matthews the opportunity to prepare for her future. During the summer of 2007, she was selected to participate in the Chicago Summer Business Institute. Through this program, Matthews attended business workshops and served as an intern for Citibank. Fueled by her success in this program, Matthews applied for an internship with Fifth-Third Bank, which she received in October 2007. This internship will continue through her college years and provide Matthews with many opportunities in the business world.

While church leadership, community service, academic success and career preparedness are all essential to the life of a well-rounded youth, Matthew's most important accomplishment has yet to be mentioned: she loves Jesus. Matthews is committed to personal prayer and Bible study. She knows her talents come from the Lord, and she is careful to give Him the praise.

Ray Young, Lake Region Conference communication director, as shared by Charmaine Matthews, Hyde Park Church member