Horizon Foundation Honors Long Reach High Graduate

Thursday, June 5, 2003

Richard M. Krieg, President and CEO of The Horizon Foundation, has announced that Nicole Modeen, a graduating senior at Long Reach High School, has received the Foundation's "Youth Leadership Award."

"Nicole exemplifies leadership and promise," Krieg said of the 17-year-old, who was the honoree at a June 5 dinner sponsored by the Foundation. Modeen's award, the first of its kind, recognizes the role the teen has played in strengthening relationships among children, teens and adults.

The Horizon Foundation has championed a youth asset development model. "Assets are positive experiences and qualities young people need to grow up to be healthy, responsible and resilient" Krieg said. "They are the building blocks of youth health and wellness."

In total, 40 developmental assets have been identified by The Search Institute, a nationally recognized Minneapolis based research organization. According to the Institute, the primary way that youth assets are developed is through relationships.

Consequently, the award dinner was attended by people Modeen identified as her mentors over the years. They include her parents, Jan and Dave Modeen, and sister, Jessica; Howard County teachers James Burrows, Katie Chesler, Tim O'Brien, Dwight Onley, Charla Phillips and Matthew Ritter and ice hockey coach John Poisal; Rev. Anders Lunt of Glen Mar United Methodist Church, and Anne and Greg Dunn, who are Modeen's Bible study leaders. Friends Jen Hanna and Robby Burns are also included as Modeen's mentors.

Modeen has attended two Search Institute Conferences and participated in a Search Institute Community training program for young people. She has been a spokesperson for Horizon's initiative in a video and on the cable television program, "On the Horizon." She also serves as a trainer for staff participating in a pilot project to build relationships in county schools.
Modeen also participates in a planning committee advising Horizon about a county-wide asset development initiative to be launched next fall.

According to Peggy Alexander, Youth Asset Program Director for the Horizon Foundation, "We chose Nicole as this year's awardee because she has been such a model for assets, promoting them in schools and the community. She radiates what they stand for and is, therefore, a powerful example to youth and adults."

In addition to her work with the Horizon Foundation, Modeen founded Long Reach High's ice hockey team, is a member of the school's Senior Class Council and a member of both the National Honor Society and the French National Honor Society. She is also a youth preacher at Glen Mar United Methodist Church.

The Horizon Foundation addresses health and wellness issues through strategic grantmaking, community initiatives, and partnerships with private and public institutions. It is a community health foundation that takes a broad view of health. The Foundation is committed to helping build a healthy and resilient community in Howard County, MD.