First Ever Youth Leadership Awards Presented By Doylestown Council

DOYLESTOWN BOROUGH, PA — The Doylestown Borough Council on Monday presented its inaugural Youth Leadership Award to Reese Grasso and Jackson Manning.

The awards program was proposed last year by then Junior Councilperson Mary Frances McNulty and was subsequently approved by borough council. The awards will annually recognize young people who have made a positive impact on the Doylestown Borough community.

"We received many compelling applications. It was very impressive," said Councilman Ben Bell. "And the committee narrowed it down to two. We were then stuck because they are both such excellent nominees. So we are awarding two awards," said Bell.

"Most high school students would dread standing up in front of people, but these two are seasoned pros," said Bell.

"Reese is an inspiring leader in our community, an advocate for LGBTQ youth in Doylestown, a member of the Rainbow Room, a guest curator for the Michener Art Museum, an officer in the Gay Straight Alliance at CB West and a member of two honor societies in school," said Bell.

As an advocate for youth in Doylestown, in the face of escalating gate an attacks on LGBTQ students, Reese serves as an officer in the Sexuality and Gender Alliance Club at CB West and grew the membership to over 40 students.

In addition, Reece was selected by the Rainbow Room and the Michener Art Museum to be part of a small group to help curate a show called "(re)Frame Community Perspectives," which opened in June and closed just last month.

Councilman Ben Bell with Reese Grasso and Jackson Manning. (photo by Jeff Werner)

Reese is a frequent speaker at community events to denounce racism, homophobia and violence. And Reese meets with the press to serve as a trusted voice about issues impacting LGBTQ youth in Doylestown.

"Reese," said Bell, "Borough Council was struck by the courage and dedication you have shown to improving the quality of life in the Borough and in fighting hate and discrimination wherever it originates, from the classroom to the school board. It is our privilege to present you with the Borough's Youth Recognition Leadership Award."

Reese, who grew up in Doylestown, expressed appreciation to the borough for the honor, Marlene Pray for the nomination and their parents and friends "for always supporting me no matter what.

"This award means so much than just recognition for the work that I do," Reese continued. "This award shows that what I'm doing means so much more. Our voices are being heard and we have to continue. I want this to be a sign that young people like me can take charge and initiative and create a world that they'd like to live in. No matter the action - how small or how big - we can make a positive difference in our world. We just have to keep moving forward."

Councilman Bell presented the second award to Jackson Manning, who he said has displayed "profound personal courage, sharing with law enforcement his own victimization as a student by a school district employee to assure the victimization stopped with him."

Jackson also spoke at a Central Bucks School Board meeting identifying himself as one of the victims and called on the school board to update its code of conduct policies and reporting measures to further protect children.

Jackson has worked with the Beau Biden Foundation in support of its mission to combat child abuse and bullying, and to bring their programming to the Central Bucks community. He addressed Doylestown Health with his personal story to illustrate "why we must prevent grooming and child sexual abuse."

"Jackson," said Bell, "Borough Council was greatly impressed by your commitment to providing a safe place for children to report, to empower mandated reporters like school employees to follow policy without fear of district retaliation, and to assure it doesn't happen again in our area. It is our privilege to present you with the borough's Youth Recognition Leadership Award."

As applause filled the council chambers, Manning accepted the recognition.

"I'm very honored to receive this award, although I'd actually like to pass it on even though my name is on it," he said. "It's really for not only myself, but everyone who stood with me in the process. It's something to be prized and awarded, but kindness and safety is something that should be normalized, not celebrated," he said.