(3/10/2004) In
less than five years after graduating
college, Richard Vallaster, III has done
more for his community than most people
set out to accomplish in a decade. In
recognition of his accomplishments, the
Maryland Jaycees have proudly named
Vallaster as this year's Outstanding Young
Marylander.
"I am honored to
receive this award," Vallaster said.
"Community involvement is very important
to me, and I am proud to be recognized by
an organization which is as committed to
local communities as I am."
Vallaster was
nominated for the award by The Frederick
Jaycees and was selected from numerous
candidates from across the state. He will
represent Maryland at the national
assembly where the 2004 "Ten Outstanding
Young Americans" are announced.
Professionally,
Vallaster's most recent success was
co-founding the local marketing and
creative services firm, Creosote Affects.
The company serves a variety of clients
ranging from institutions of higher
education and local businesses to large
corporations and statewide non-profit
organizations.
Vallaster is
highly active within the Frederick
community, volunteering on multiple
committees for the City of Frederick's
Office of Special Events. He is currently
serving his fourth year as the volunteer
chairman of the city's "In the Street"
festival, an event that attracts more than
60,000 visitors to the downtown business
district. Vallaster also serves as vice
president of Cultural Events for Educating
Frederick (CEEF) and is active with his
alma mater, Bridgewater College, on
various volunteer committees.
Vallaster is a
1999 cum laude graduate of Bridgewater
College, where he was recognized as a
Who's Who Among Students in American
Universities and Colleges. As an
undergraduate student, Vallaster received
the college's Outstanding Service and
Leadership award. He was named a "People
to Watch" by Frederick Magazine in 2002,
and in May, will complete his Master's in
Business Administration (MBA) from Mount
St. Mary's College.
The Outstanding
Young Marylander project recognizes and
honors Marylanders each year that
exemplify the best attributes of the
state's young people (ages 21 through 39).
Winners are selected based upon their
achievement or contribution in at least
three of the following areas: personal
improvement; social improvement of major
contemporary problems; politics or
government service; and moral and
religious leadership. Other well-known
recipients of this prestigious award
include Maryland Governor Bob Ehrlich and
television talk show host Oprah Winfrey.
For more
information on the Outstanding Young
Marylander program and the Maryland
Jaycees, please visit
www.mdjaycees.org.