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Osan teen selected as PACAF Youth of the Year

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Sometimes people get so caught up in their work, they don't realize how much they've accomplished until they take a step back.

An Osan teen realized this when she won Youth of the Year for both the base and Pacific Air Force.

"I know I did a lot," said 17-year-old Alicia Bratten. "It just didn't feel like 425 hours (volunteering) for 2006."

From being the Osan American High School student body president to raising clothes and blankets for tsunami relief efforts, Alicia has made every effort to help not only her school and community, but also the world at large. In her two years at Osan with her father, Senior Master Sgt. Steven Bratten, she has been an active member of the Teen Center's Keystone council, high school softball team and team manager for the football team.

"She helps with event planning and our monthly calendars; she's been a great mentor to the younger teens," said Ms. Amy Maness, Osan Teen Center programs coordinator. "She is a liaison for the Teen Center staff and bridges the gap between us and the high school."

All of this may seem like a lot of work, but submitting a package to vie for the title of Youth of the Year was a daunting task in itself. The program, which is sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club of America, requires applicants to turn in two essays, seven narratives on leadership, deliver one speech and sit through five interviews.

"I had to give a three to five minute speech about myself, and it was graded on content and presentation," said Alicia. "Then the five judges did interviews."

Alicia and her fellow nominees, Kortne Ussery and Patrick Cassidy, answered questions from each judged based on their application packages.

At the end, Alicia was selected as Osan's Youth of the Year. But the adventure wasn't over.

"After winning at Osan level, we tweaked her application a bit before submitting it for the PACAF level," said Sergeant Bratten. "The Teen Center staff helped a lot."

At the PACAF level, the judging was based solely on the nomination package, so it had to be very strong, he said. They had one night to get it ready, however, so a few people, including Teen Center staff, helped out.

The hard work of Alicia and her supporters worked. She was selected as PACAF's Youth of the Year and was awarded a $2,000 check.

"This is all pretty amazing," said Sergeant Bratten. "Me as a father, I wouldn't think to recognize all that she's been up to. It's great that the youth programs do take the time to recognize her efforts."

This was all very unexpected, said Alicia.

"I'm surprised, honestly," she said. "My hopes were high, but to win was a huge surprise."

The next step for Alicia, who wants to volunteer for the Peace Corps after college, is to compete at the Air Force level. The judges will review her nomination package and then conduct a telephone interview.

"I think the competition will be difficult at the Air Force level," said Alicia. "To think I could be best out of everyone ..."

"To make it this far has been incredible," her father added. "It'd be beyond words for her to make Air Force Youth of the Year."