Senior Nicole Liu from Noblesville High School was awarded the 30th annual Hamilton County Youth Service Award Monday afternoon. The ceremony was sponsored by the Hamilton County Commissioners and the Hamilton County Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs (HCCOAOD).
Liu was also awarded a $1,000 scholarship.
Liu is a member of the Peonies Club, Noblesville High School Literary Magazine, Key Club, Noblesville Mayor’s Youth Council, New Dimension Varsity Show Choir, Miller Mentors, DECA and VOICE Indiana.
Liu considers her greatest accomplishment to be the work she has done with VOICE Indiana, a grassroots organization that encourages teens to lead tobacco-free lifestyles. VOICE has provided her with opportunities to advocate for better tobacco control policies by speaking to lawmakers, schools, and the media.
“Too often Big Tobacco targets vulnerable populations like teens,” Liu said. “VOICE has given me a platform to stand up against their harmful marketing campaigns.”
Five other students were nominated for the Youth Service Award by their school’s counseling department. The other nominees included Liam Courtney from Carmel High School, Victoria Chambers from Hamilton Heights High School, Mrithula Mukkani Karunamurthy from Hamilton Southeastern High School, Jacquellynne Bates from Sheridan High School, and Isabella Grady from Westfield High School. They will each receive a $300 scholarship.
“We are proud of each of the applicants that have chosen to lead a drug free lifestyle and contribute their time to help make positive changes in the lives of others,” HCCOAOD Executive Director Monica Greer said.
(From left) Isabella Grady, Youth Service Award Winner Nicole Liu, Liam Courtney, HCCOAOD Executive Director Monica Greer, Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt, Jacquellynne Bates, Victoria Chambers, Hamilton County Commissioner Steve Dillinger, and Mrithula Mukkani Karunamurthy. (Photo provided by Hamilton County Government)