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LAYSB Awards

Lakes Area Youth Service Bureau’s (LAYSB) Board of Directors is seeking nominations for candidates to receive the annual LAYSB service to youth awards.  Awards will be given for service during 2011 in the following categories:

Deadline for nominations is Friday, March 16, 2012. Please fill out the form and send it via e-mail, fax or mail to:

Attn: 2011 Awards Committee
Lakes Area Youth Service Bureau
244 North Lake Street
Forest Lake, MN 55025
Phone: 651-464-3685 Fax: 651-464-3687

If you have questions about the “On Behalf of Youth Award” please call Jackie Kottke, Development Coordinator or e-mail Jackie.Kottke@ysblakesarea.org. We look forward to receiving your nomination!

LAYSB Recognized Annual Youth Award Winner for 2010

Each year, Lakes Area Youth Service Bureau (LAYSB) honors a teen with the On Behalf of Youth Award for demonstrating a passion for the well-being of youth and service to the community.

Our 2010 youth recipient was Shylo Stevens. Shylo is an 11th grader at North Lakes Academy and has been a member of LAYSB’s Youth Advisory Board (YAB) in Forest Lake for over four years.  She is a self starter and has helped plan many activities and events, including multiple car washes which raised funds for Locks of Love and local causes like fleece blankets & school supplies for families who needed them.

“Shylo is a very passionate and dedicated youth volunteer. I have worked with her for three years on YAB’s service project efforts to create tobacco-free outdoor policies in Forest Lake and for the Washington County Fair,” said Derek Larsen, Program Coordinator for Tobacco-Free Youth Recreation and one of three who nominated Shylo. “She is a consistent contributor to discussions and her determination has never wavered in the face of adversity.”

Shylo says, “LAYSB has helped me realize who I am, and what I can do to help in my community. Being a part of LAYSB, I know I can talk to people. LAYSB has helped me gain confidence and see who I really am, for that, I thank everybody there, especially Tovah for the opportunities she has given me. I encourage teens that are in the Forest Lake area to join the programs at LAYSB.   It’s a place where anyone can go and know they’re part of something.”

Other LAYSB activities Shylo has been involved in include: being a Forest Lake Safety Camp Junior Counselor, providing childcare, reading to children, packing food with YAB for Feed My Starving Children, participating on the Girls Lock In planning committee, Sunrise Bassmasters’ Youth Fishing Day and representing LAYSB at community events.  In 2010, Shylo was one of two youth who raised pledges and plunged into frozen Forest Lake for LAYSB at Rotary Club of Forest Lake’s first Winter Plunge event.  At the 2011 Winter Plunge, Shylo showed true leadership as Captain of her North Lakes Academy basketball team’s plunge group who raised funds for their team.  She is also active in her church and plays softball & volleyball.

“Shylo is an absolute joy to work with,” stated co-nominator Tovah Marek, “She has an upbeat attitude, great ideas and always follows through on commitments.  I’m grateful for her participation in LAYSB’s Youth Enrichment & Leadership programming.”

Shylo received her award at Lakes Area Youth Service Bureau on Wednesday, June 8th.

For more information contact Tovah Marek at 651.464.3685 or tovah.marek@ysblakesarea.org.

Dan Charpentier Received the 2010 On Behalf of Youth Award

Lakes Area Youth Service Bureau announced that Forest Lake resident Dan Charpentier was selected to receive the 2010 On Behalf of Youth Award. This award is given annually to one area adult in recognition of outstanding dedication and service to youth in our community.

Dan received the Award on Monday, June 20th, 2011 at the Youth Center at Lakes Free Church, 29620 Olinda Trail in Lindstrom.

Dan was nominated by Bob Fugleberg of Osceola, WI.  Fugleberg states that “Dan’s commitment permeates almost everything he does.  I can think of no one in this community more deserving of this award.”

Dan Charpentier has been supporting local area youth since 1994 through his leadership at Young Life (in both Forest Lake and the Chisago Lakes area) and Young Life’s “Wyldlife Clubs” for middle schoolers.  He spent his Mondays at lunch in the middle school cafeteria, connecting with students, and often spent Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons chaperoning open gym time at Lakes Free Church.  Currently, he spends Wednesday nights at the Church with the youth group.

Dan rises early on Tuesdays and Fridays to lead a small-group high school Bible Study at Northwoods Roasterie & Coffee Shop in Lindstrom.  He also leads mission trips to Kenya, often including Young Life students, where they help to support a school and orphanage.  Many of Dan’s Young Life students have gone on to become leaders in both Young Life and in the community.  Through Young Life, Dan participates in a youth exchange program and finds homes for the youth. They are expecting five youth this school year from countries including Germany and China.

When asked why he does so much for youth, Dan replied, “I just love kids and it’s incredible to see someone go from being a hardnosed kid to becoming involved with youth and a mentor to other kids. They grow so much over the three to six year period I interact with them. It’s critical to give kids a glimpse of hope, especially the six, seventh and eighth graders. Those are crucial years.”

Dan is a member of Elim Lutheran Church in Scandia and lives in Scandia with his wife, Martha.  Together they raised three children, Rachel (25), Amy (24), and Paul (21).  Dan is a self-employed carpet installer, and has a former student now working with him in his business.

We congratulate Dan and thank him for his commitment to youth in our community.

For more information please contact Jeanne Walz @ 651-464-3685 or Jeanne.Walz@ysblakesareaorg.

Officer Maryrose Warke Received the 2010 James Trudeau Law Enforcement Award


Forest Lake Police Officer, Maryrose Warke, continually goes above and beyond her job duties in order to connect with and make a difference in the lives of youth in our community.  Sergeant Greg Weiss and Chief of Police Clark Quiring both nominated Warke to receive the 2010 James Trudeau Law Enforcement Award.  This award has been given out annually by Lakes Area Youth Service Bureau since 2000.

Warke received the 2010 James Trudeau Law Enforcement Award on May 23rd, 2011 at the Forest Lake City Council meeting.

“Without Officer Warke’s excitement and commitment to youth, our agency and the entire city of Forest Lake would suffer.” states Quiring.

Warke joined the Forest Lake Police Department in February of 2005 after working in White Bear Lake as a 911 dispatcher.  She volunteered as advisor in the Police Explorer Post and, most recently, as a presenter in the drug education efforts in the Forest Lake Area School District.

Warke voluntarily researched and redesigned the drug education program.  “This program is not an officer standing at the front of the class telling 5th grade kids not to do drugs. Through multi-media, kids hear from other kids and young adults who have had to live with the consequences of drug use.  Kids interact with each other and with the police officer through role-playing and brainstorming exercises.  These kids have questions and they deserve honest answers.  They want to know what will happen to them if they use.  We can empower them to make better choices.”

The drug education program developed by Officer Warke affects approximately 150-175 5th graders annually in each of the elementary schools across the City of Forest Lake.  Weiss states that “Thanks to her outstanding leadership and care for the youth of Forest Lake, we have another tool to assist us in keeping kids safe and away from drugs.” Warke lives in Blaine with her husband and three-year old son, and is expecting another child in October.

Lifetime Achievement Award

The “Lifetime Achievement Award” is given to a community resident in recognition of a lifetime of dedication and commitment to serving youth. It is given at the discretion of the LAYSB Board of Directors. This award was established in 1999 with the first recipient being Barbara Swanson, retired LAYSB Executive Director.

Past Award Winners

On Behalf of Youth Award Winners

2011 Now Taking Nominations
2010 Dan Charpentier & Shylo Stevens
2009 Judge Robert Rancourt & Liana Johnson
2008 Bea Zaruba & Cina Dean
2007 Mike Brinkman
2005 Angela Walker & Dan Poepard
2004 Joe Grafft & Mariah Docksteader
2003 Betty Hestekin & Dawn Kichler
2002 Howard Kurtz & Charlie Torrez
2001 Susan Novak & Josh Sternhagen
2000 Charlie Sutton, Bill Burgess & Careth Sorenson
1999 Wayne Schwalbe & Angie Kotrba
1998 Sally Tillema
1997 Karen Morehead
1996 Kay Pranis
1995 James Trudeau
1994 Doug & Sandi Swenson
1993 Duane Rasmussen
1992 Carleen Peterson
1991 Cliff Buchan
1990 Joyce Leslie
1989 John F. Hayes Family
1988 Janet Ames

James Trudeau Award

2011 Now Taking Nominations
2010 FLPD Officer Maryrose Warke
2009 Deputy Chris Majeski
2008 Deputy Pete Godfrey
2007 FLPD Officer Matt Smith
2006 Sergeant Greg Weiss
2005 Christopher Beck
2004 Officer Timothy Tougas
2003 Officer Kelly McCarthy & Officer Dale Hager
2002 Chief Dave Pecchia
2001 Chief David Schwartz
2000 Officer Ronald Rollins

Lifetime Achievement Award

1999 Barbara Swanson

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