More than a dozen student leaders were recognized with special honors during the 39th annual Youth Legislative Assembly (YLA), which was held March 13-15 in Raleigh.

About 266 students from across the state participated in the event, which was presented by the Youth Advocacy and Involvement Office of the N.C. Department of Administration.

The Richard White Leadership Award, named after 1996 YLA Tri-Speaker Richard White, is given to the senior-ranking members of the YLA Leadership Team who demonstrate strong leadership and organizational skills.

The 2009 honorees are Danielle Gallant, West Bladen High School, Dublin; Holly Holbrook, Albemarle Senior High School, Albemarle; and Michelle Nguyen, Salisbury High School, Salisbury.

The Sud-Freemark Award of Service honors a student who has participated in the Youth Legislative Assembly for four years, with three of those years being on the leadership team. The 2009 recipients are Michelle Nguyen, Salisbury High School, Salisbury; David Freifeld, Enloe High School, Raleigh; and Seth Morris, Salisbury High School, Salisbury.

The Jaime and Josh DeBottis Award of Service honors students who have dedicated three years of service to the Youth Legislative Assembly and the State Youth Council. The 2009 recipients are Diondra Cooper, Jordan High School, Durham; Sydney Brunson, also of Jordan High School, Durham; and Elgin Giles, West Johnson High School, Garner.

The Jimmy Gibbs Award, named for Jimmy Gibbs, a 1980 YLA tri-speaker, is given each year to the delegate from each committee who added the most to the discussion by asking questions, helping to rewrite bills and being creative and inspiring. The 2009 Gibbs Award recipients are:

Children and Family: Demi Farina, Asheboro High School, Asheboro
Civil Rights: Matt Phillips, Woods Charter School, Chapel Hill
Education: Kevin Kearney, Topsail High School, Hampstead
Environment: Joshua Markham, Hunt High School, Kenly
Health Affairs: Kaelyn Newton, Clinton High School, Clinton
Human Sexuality: Tomika Broughton, South Central High School, Winterville
Judiciary: Dakota Peachee, West Johnston High School, Garner
Science and Technology: Justin Evans, Hoke County High School, Raeford
Substance Abuse: Roy Price, Hoke County High School, Raeford
Youth Affairs: Christopher Cornette, Topsail High School, Hampstead