'Youth of the Year' receives award at Pentagon

  • Published
  • By Karen Abeyasekere
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Natasha Johnson, 18, recently visited the Pentagon, Washington D.C., where she was presented an award by Maj. Gen. Darren McDew, Air Force District of Washington commander.

She won the RAF Mildenhall Youth of the Year award as part of the Boys and Girls Club of America, placing second at U.S. Air Forces in Europe-level. All winners and runners-up at bases throughout Europe and the United States were given a trip to D.C., to receive their awards.

Johnson, a senior at Lakenheath High School, attends the RAF Mildenhall Youth Center and is vice president of the Keystone Club and part of Mildenhall's teen council. Through Johnson's involvement with the clubs, she made Christmas ornaments for the East Anglian Children's Hospice in Cambridge, ensuring the children were given gifts they would enjoy and remember, such as special poems and inspirational quotes.

"Natasha wanted the children to be happy and inspired during what may have been their last Christmas," said Kari Rosett, 100th Force Support Squadron teen coordinator. "She's got a big heart and lots of strengths. She's very strong-willed and very determined, and when Natasha sets her mind to something, she doesn't stop until she gets it."

As part of the package for the award, teens had to write essays on home and family, and moral character. Johnson also received very strong letters of recommendation and support for her work and effort within the youth center, and her work at the 48th Medical Group.

Her goal is to become a pre-natal nurse, and she is currently enrolled in a career practicum class, allowing her to observe in the obstetrics and gynecology and labor and delivery wards at the RAF Lakenheath hospital. Since enrolling, Johnson has watched numerous surgeries and deliveries.

"Natasha is eager to learn, has volunteered for opportunities with hands-on experiences, and has learned how to draw blood and place intravenous lines," said Maj. (Dr.) Anne Gray, 48th MDG, in a letter of recommendation for the teen. "I think (she) demonstrates initiative and leadership potential in the pursuit of achieving her life goals."

Johnson also plays a big part in the teen community within the youth center, helping with activities for younger children and volunteering for events such as bake sales, Halloween bash, Day for Kids and Worldwide Day of Play. At Hearts Apart dinners for deployed families, she helps with set-up, clean-up and running the bouncy castles for children, and helps cook, said Rosett.

All the hard work volunteering, gaining work experience and helping at the youth center and within the local community contributed greatly to her winning the RAF Mildenhall Youth of the Year award.

During the trip to Washington D.C., in addition to being presented their plaques by the general, Johnson and the other award winners attended teen council meetings and workshops, and visited many places including the National Archives, Smithsonian and the U.S. Capitol.