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Jay Solo selected as Scott Youth of the Year

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Samantha S. Crane
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs Office
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Jay Solo, named Youth of the Year for Scott Air Force Base, was one of 53 teens to attend the 2010 Air Force Youth of the Year Award ceremony June 24 at the Pentagon.

While there, Lt. Gen. Richard Newton III, Air Force deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel, presented trophies to major command honorees and plaques to base-level honorees. In all, 65 boys and girls were recognized throughout the Air Force.

"My wife and I are so proud of Jay for earning this award, but he'll be the first to tell you that the real accomplishment is making an impact here in the community," said Maj. Gen. Mark Solo, Jay's father and former commander of 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center. "As a military family, we're constantly on the move, however Jay is always thinking about how to leave things better than we found it. His desire to make a positive difference, no matter where we are, says a lot about Jay and the type of person he wants to be in the future."

He was nominated by the Youth Center where he was a part of the Boys and Girls Club of America.

"Jay is a quiet leader, and I enjoyed watching how he and other teens weren't aware that he was, in fact, leading," said Debbie Stewart, Youth Center teen director. "He is a very respectful and outstanding teen, and I'm sure he will succeed in all of his goals in the future."

Jay's involvement at the Youth Center included helping with the St. Louis Food Bank, selling concessions, handing out presents during the holidays and taking part in a highway cleanup among many other things.

"During the three years that I was a part of the Boys and Girls Club on base, we were involved in many volunteer activities," said Jay. "My favorite volunteer activity was the St. Louis Food Bank. It was a lot of fun actually working and lifting heavy boxes around, yet still knowing it was for a great cause in St. Louis."

While Jay's active community involvement drew to a close here when the family readied themselves for an upcoming move to Texas, the family said they plan to take advantage of the new opportunities associated with the new assignment.

"We've had the opportunity to live in so many places, but the Scott community stands out as a place that makes you feel especially at home," added General Solo. "As we move to Texas for a new assignment, we're excited about meeting new people and getting involved in a new area, but we will definitely miss the people and community here at Scott, and we're so proud of Jay for being such an active part of it."

For Jay, volunteering isn't about the recognition.

"I volunteer because it makes me a better person; I volunteer to get a sense that I am helping people for no cost at all; I volunteer to broaden my personality and to build my character," Jay said. "I make it a priority, because over time, it makes me think of other people than just myself and it makes me stronger and more stable in life."

He also believes every teen can benefit from the experience.

"Other teens should give their time to others because it's for a great cause," Jay said. "It's important to make a good impact on someone, and what better way to do it than to volunteer and help the community."