Kid power
<p>Mike Cuentas hugs his son Sam, 14, after the teen was awarded a plaque in the 12-14 age group of the 2014 Clay Larkin Mayor’s Youth Awards Thursday at Q’emiln Park in Post Falls.</p>
POST FALLS - They've lent a hand to their peers and adults in need. They've volunteered for community organizations. They've made this city a better place.
Never underestimate the power of our youth.
Post Falls youth were honored at the 2014 Clay Larkin Mayor's Youth Awards ceremony on Thursday night at Q'emiln Park for doing good deeds.
Take Ponderosa Elementary fifth-grader Chuck Duru, who has been given the nickname "The Flouride Cop" for faithfully sorting and delivering fluoride treatments to 22 classrooms each week.
Being new to the district this year, the fluoride routine has allowed Chuck to get connected with staff and students.
"His dependability is exceptional," said Kathy Baker, Ponderosa's principal, who nominated Chuck. "He even reminds forgetful teachers of the need to have their students swish. This is one kid who will always have a special place in my heart."
Chuck was among the category winners at the ceremony - he won the individual category for ages 7-11 - but all of the 119 total youth nominated were recognized and invited to the event. All the nominees received a medal and goodie bag and the winners also earned a plaque.
Since the event started in 2001, more than 2,200 youth have been recognized.
After he was announced a winner, Chuck did the moonwalk over to shake the hands of current Post Falls Mayor Ron Jacobson and former Mayor Clay Larkin, for whom the event was recently named.
"I enjoy passing stuff out and working for the school," Chuck said.
Other individual winners included:
* Sam Cuentas, who is a "buddy" to youth involved in Special Needs Recreation, volunteers at the Real Life Ministries Thrift Store and Disabled American Veterans events, and shovels snow for elderly neighbors.
* Kourtney Ward, for helping organize the Secret Closet program at Post Falls High for students who need clothes, volunteering at church, for Special Olympics and for other organizations.
Group winners were:
* Prairie View Friends Understanding Needs, ages 7-11, for assisting life skills students, picking up litter and weeding the school parking lot and garden at St. George's Catholic Church
* Post Falls Middle School Leadership Class, ages 12-14, for serving with Clothes for the Cause and at a veterans assembly, making Valentine's Day cards for seniors and organizing recess games for younger students
* Post Falls High Key Club, ages 15-18, for participating in several events, including roadside cleanup, a weekend backpack program for students and blood, food, blanket and clothing drives.