OHS Student Receives Harry F. Byrd Jr. Leadership Award

Gregory Toms, a senior at Osbourn High School, has been awarded the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. Leadership Award for 2012. 

The award totals $10,000 and is given to a senior from each of Virginia’s 11 congressional districts. Toms travelled to Richmond on February 16^th to receive the award at a special ceremony in the courtroom of the Supreme Court of Virginia.   

In 1994, Former U.S. Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr. established the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. Leadership Award Program. Senator Byrd established this leadership award program because of his deep conviction that a strong system of public education is essential to democratic government, and that cultivating leadership among young citizens advances both education and government.

According to the nomination packet, the Leadership Award seeks to reward applicants who consistently display excellence of character, qualities of leadership, devotion to duty, and academic accomplishment. While academic excellence is a consideration, the selection of award recipients emphasizes the importance of leadership and public service.

Therefore, most recipients are leaders who go above and beyond their peers to improve themselves and to make a difference in the lives of others. Most recipients engage in endeavors that demonstrate their independence, initiative, courage, personal discipline, strong work ethic, commitment to community service, leadership qualities, ability to confront challenges, and pursuit of academic excellence.

For more information, visit http://www.byrdleadershipaward.org/.

Information from: Manassas City Public Schools