I am pleased to announce that New Jersey’s TIC State Coordinator, Brian Cowden, was presented with the national Youth Leadership Award by Trout Unlimited at the TU national meeting in Boise, ID on September 14th, 2007. This award, the first of its kind "honoring individuals who demonstrate exemplary leadership and a deep passion for inspiring young people to become thoughtful, responsible stewards of North America’s coldwater fisheries", was for Brian’s work with the Trout in the Classroom program in New Jersey. This award encompasses the work done to bring New Jersey’s one TIC program prior to the 2006-’07 school year to over 25 schools last year and more than 50 for the current (2007-’08) school year as well as formulating the first ever state-wide approach by Trout Unlimited involving all 8 state chapters and for work done to build this website, another first of its kind in the nation.
In Boise, Brian accepted this award on behalf of all TU volunteers involved with this great program as well as the New Jersey teachers that provide him with his continual motivation to build TIC throughout the state. Cowden made special mention of his mentor and friend, Marilyn Steneken of the Sparta Middle School who will be entering her 12th year teaching TIC in the state and who continues to lead by example. Marilyn is truly one of a kind! Congratulations, Brian!