In 2010 when Melissa began her internship at the Central Counties Youth Center there was no doubt that she would become a valuable member of our team. Melissa showed a maturity and a dedication to her peers, to the Center and to the kids who were residents of the Center that I have not seen in someone so young. It is that dedication and her invaluable hard work allows me to nominate Melissa Boone for Rookie of the Year for JDCAP.

Melissa came to us as a senior at Lock Haven University completing an internship for graduation. She was highly recommended to us and it did not take long to see why. Immediately she became involved in the daily operations of the facility and in the interactions with the kids. She learned quickly, took the advice of her mentors seriously and immersed herself in learning as much about the Center, the juvenile justice system and the kids as possible. This allowed her not only to excel as an intern, but allowed us to hire her as a Part Time Youth Counselor where she remained until we hired her full time in February of 2011.

Idle time is not a concept that Melissa understands. From the moment that she walks into the doors of the Center, she is in constant motion and full of energy. She greets the kids and her peers with a smile and then gets to work. She interacts with the kids and uses her imagination to keep the kids engaged. She plans, purchases and engages the kids in decorating the Program Area with the change of the seasons or with the arrival of a holiday. She makes sure that the kids complete an art project so that the kids have something to present to their parents on special occasions. She completes a colorful calendar each month that lists the kid's birthdays, staff birthdays and any special days or events that are happening and celebrate it with the kids (for instance, on National Ice Cream Day she will make sure that we have ice cream for the kids). She makes posters to place throughout the building and at our entrances informing kids and their parents of our rules, the expectations of the Center and what they can expect while they are spending time with us. She does all of these things on her own without being asked by anyone just because they will enhance the Center and the time that the kids spend here.

Currently Melissa has taken the lead on the review and revision of our Resident Handbook. Without prompting from anyone, she has started the work of revising this document that was last completed in 2007 to make it more user friendly for the kids.

Melissa's pleasant personality and outstanding interactions skills allow her to make connections with the kids and to gain their respect. The kids see Melissa as someone who cares about them and their families through her interactions with them. At the same time, they know that she will not stand for any foolishness and will call them on their behavior. These same qualities endear her to her peers and the Administration of the facility.

When I leave at the end of the day and Melissa is on, I know that they kids will be respected, taken care of and engaged in activities that will enhance and improve their stay at the Center. I cannot ask for anything more of a staff member and the fact that Melissa takes all of this on her shoulders at such a young age and this early in her career allows me to nominate her for the "Rookie" of the Year for JDCAP.