Youth of the Month July 2016: Grant Riordan

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By Jeremy Brown

Grant Riordan is his name and serving others is his game.RiordanYouthoftheMonth

“I want to surround myself with great things,” Riordan said. “I want to do the most I can and the best I can for others.”

Riordan, a 16-year-old junior at Mater Dei, brings that “other’s first” mentality to numerous service-oriented organizations and has been recognized as Youth Resources’ July Youth of the Month for his admirable approach.

Six years of hard work and serving the community through Boy Scout Troop 399 will result in Riordan earning his Eagle Scout this weekend. He recently renovated Sacred Heart Catholic Church’s playground by replacing rubber pellets with pea gravel, building two picnic tables for outdoor dining and re-landscaping areas around the church to complete his Eagle project.

“It’s helped me become a leader, take care of the environment and learn survival skills,” Riordan said of his Boy Scout experience. “It has also helped me communicate better with kids, peers and adults – people that will be good connections for a while.”

His service doesn’t stop within the Tri-State community. Riordan traveled to Haiti last fall with St. Joseph Catholic Church to assist schools in the Plaine-du-Nord community with miscellaneous repairs, while also providing children with food and new toys.

Riordan also brings his servant leadership skills to Mater Dei’s student council, lacrosse and cross country teams, as well as the Riley Dance Marathon, Fresh Beginning’s and Pep Club.  Additionally, he is active in Youth Resources’ Teen Advisory Council and TEENPOWER programs.

“It’s an awesome experience, serving others” said Riordan. “When you see their faces and how appreciative they are, it makes you feel better knowing you’ve made a difference.”

Riordan’s recognition automatically qualifies him as a finalist for Youth Resources’ Youth of the Year award. He joins North Junior High’s Geoffrey Grant Greer and Castle’s Landon Eisenhut as 2016-17 Youth of the Month recipients. Youth Resources will name its Youth of the Year at its annual Hall of Fame Celebration in April 2017.

For more information and to nominate a student (5-18) for Youth of the Month, click here!

Jeremy Brown is the TEENPOWER, Special Events & Communications Coordinator at Youth Resources.